A bill to establish the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College as affiliated areas of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsored By: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
Introduced
Summary
Establishes two National Park Service affiliated areas in Natchez, Mississippi. It would designate the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians as an affiliated area and make Historic Jefferson College an affiliated area once the Secretary determines it meets National Park Service criteria.
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- Visitors and local communities would get clearer interpretation and preservation at these historic sites, improving access for education and tourism.
- The Mississippi Department of Archives and History would be the designated management entity and would enter into an agreement with the Secretary defining roles and responsibilities.
- The Secretary of the Interior could provide technical assistance and enter cooperative agreements to provide financial assistance for marketing, marking, interpretation, and preservation. The Secretary could not acquire property at the affiliated areas or assume responsibility for their operation, maintenance, or management.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grand Village becomes affiliated site
The bill would make the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians an affiliated National Park site when enacted. The bill uses the map titled "Affiliated Areas, Adams County, Mississippi Proposed Boundaries," numbered 964/194,653, dated August 2024, to describe boundaries. This would promote historic preservation and public visits. Local tourism groups and nearby businesses would likely see benefits.
Jefferson College could become affiliate
The bill would allow Historic Jefferson College in Natchez to become an affiliated National Park site only after the Interior Secretary finds it meets Park Service criteria. The map referenced is the same August 2024 map, numbered 964/194,653. Until the Secretary makes that finding, the affiliation would not take effect. If designated, the site would gain preservation and visitor benefits.
State manages sites; limited federal aid
The bill would name the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as the management entity for the affiliated areas. The Interior Secretary would have to sign an agreement with that agency and the sites would be managed to follow National Park Service laws and standards. The Secretary would be able to give technical help and enter cooperative agreements that could include funding for marketing, signs, interpretation, and preservation. The Secretary would not be allowed to buy land there or take over paying to operate or maintain the sites, and must file the boundary map for public inspection as soon as practicable.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Cosponsors
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov