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119-hr-8946119th Congress

Veterans Affairs Heritage Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]

In Committee

Summary

Establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs History Office to collect, preserve, and share VA records, artifacts, and oral histories. It would be led by a Chief Historian who reports to the Secretary and would be located in Dayton, Ohio, with that location requirement ending eight years after enactment.

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  • Veterans and the public would get centralized access to VA historical collections, exhibits, print and web publications, virtual and augmented reality offerings, and the oral history program transferred from the Library of Congress.
  • VA managers and staff would see history functions moved under the new Office, including the Veterans Legacy Program and Veterans Legacy Memorial. An Internal Coordination Group must form within 180 days and a long range plan is due within 180 days, followed by annual progress reports through December 31, 2030.
  • Donors and nonprofit partners could give property, lease or improve Office space, and rent or in-kind rent would be used solely to cover the Office’s costs.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New VA History Office and Programs

If enacted, the VA would create a History Office and a National History Center. A Chief Historian would run the office and report directly to the Secretary. The office would run exhibits, web content, training, and preserve VA records and artifacts. It would take over the Veterans Legacy Program and an oral-history program from the Library of Congress but would not change veterans' benefits or eligibility.

Donations, leases, and nonprofit partnerships

If enacted, the Secretary would be able to accept gifts, bequests, and donations of money or property for the History Office. The VA would be able to sell donated property at arm's length and deposit money and sale proceeds into a Treasury fund for the office. The Secretary would be able to lease Office space to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and let nonprofits make improvements to leased facilities. Any rent, including in-kind rent, would be used only to cover the History Office's costs.

Internal coordination group for VA

If enacted, the Secretary would establish an Internal Coordination Group within 180 days to advise the History Office. The Deputy Secretary would chair the group. The group would include senior VA officials, set a charter by regulation, and advise on operations, continuity, and resourcing.

History Office located in Dayton

If enacted, the bill would require the History Office to be located in Dayton, Ohio, at a VA facility. That location requirement would end eight years after enactment. The Dayton base would make local access easier, but veterans and researchers farther away would likely face more travel to use the center.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]

OH • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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