To amend title 54, United States Code, to modify certain cost-sharing requirements for grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Jennifer A. Kiggans (Republican-VA)February 20, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Federal support for preserving historic battlefields would increase and last longer.

This bill would make it easier to preserve historic battlefields. It would increase the federal share of costs for certain grants from 50% to 75%. A key grant program would also be extended until 2036, and $2 million would be set aside each year for related projects. Additionally, it would require studies of French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites across the U.S.

What Would Change

Today, federal grants cover 50% of costs for some battlefield interpretation and restoration projects. Also, a key grant program for acquiring battlefield land ends in the government's budget year 2028. This bill would increase the federal share to 75% for those projects. It would also extend the land acquisition program until the government's budget year 2036, and set aside $2,000,000 annually for interpretation and restoration grants. It would also require new studies of French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites, which are not currently mandated.

Key Provisions

Extends a grant program that helps buy and protect historic battlefields until the government's budget year 2036.
Increases the federal government's share of costs for modernizing battlefield interpretation and restoring battlefields from 50% to 75%.
Sets aside $2,000,000 each year through the government's budget year 2036 for grants to modernize and restore battlefields.
Requires the National Park Service to study sites and structures related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War.
Mandates that these studies identify important sites, assess threats, and suggest ways to preserve them, including potential National Park System designation.

View on Congress.gov

HR 7618 · 119th Congress · February 20, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Lobbying Activity

6 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

AARP

2 filings

AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

2 filings

OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE, INC.

2 filings

NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

1 filing

Top Lobbying Firms

1.AARP2 filings

2.AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST2 filings

3.OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE, INC.2 filings

4.NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.

6 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

AARP

2 filings

AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST

2 filings

OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE, INC.

2 filings

NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

1 filing

Top Lobbying Firms

1.AARP2 filings

2.AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST2 filings

3.OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE, INC.2 filings

4.NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.