H.R. 7618: American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026

HR7618 is mainly about expanding the federal role in preserving historic battlefields. The bill amends the American Battlefield Protection Program so the battlefield acquisition grant program, now set to sunset in 2028, would instead be authorized through 2036. That gives states, localities, and preservation groups 8 more years to pursue land protection deals with federal support.

The bill also makes the grants more attractive by increasing the federal cost-share for interpretation grants under 54 U.S.C. § 308104 and restoration grants under 54 U.S.C. § 308105 from 50% to 75%. In plain terms, that means the federal government could cover up to three-quarters of eligible project costs instead of only half. For cash-strapped preservation groups and local governments, that is a major shift.

Money is attached. The bill authorizes $2,000,000 for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2036 for grants under 54 U.S.C. § 308104 and § 308105. It also repeals subsection (d) of 54 U.S.C. § 308104, removing an existing part of the interpretation grant law, though the fact sheet does not specify the practical effect beyond the repeal itself.

The other major piece is a new federal study effort led by the Secretary of the Interior through the Director of the National Park Service. The studies must examine U.S. sites and structures tied to the French and Indian War, which lasted from 1754 to 1763, and the Mexican-American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848. The National Park Service must identify sites, rank their relative significance, assess short- and long-term threats to their integrity, and provide preservation and interpretation options, including possible National Park System designation. The Secretary must consult governors, affected Indian Tribes, local governments, the American Battlefield Trust, and preservation groups, and must send Congress a report no later than 2 years after funds are made available.