S. 1161Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act

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Updated November 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM UTC

The bill redesignates the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park and updates all federal references to reflect the new name. It also orders the Interior Secretary to study nearby historic resources—such as maritime sites, coastal defenses, and military‑history locations—to determine if they should be incorporated into the park. A final report with recommendations must be delivered to Congress within three years of receiving study funds.

Key Provisions

Changes the name of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to the Salem Maritime National Historical Park, and treats all existing federal references to the site as referring to the new park name.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study of the surrounding area—including the Salem Armory Visitor Center and nearby park—to see if additional maritime, coastal‑defense, or military‑history sites should be added to the National Park System as part of the newly named park.
Requires the Secretary to submit a report with the study’s findings and recommendations to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee within three years after funding for the study is provided.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

March 26, 2025

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 26, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

March 26, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 26, 2025

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1161

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 26, 2025

Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To redesignate the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act.

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

(a)

Redesignation

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site shall hereafter be known and designated as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

(b)

References in law

Any reference to the Salem Maritime National Historic Site in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Salem Maritime National Historical Park.

Boundary study

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall conduct a boundary study to evaluate the suitability and feasibility of including in the National Park System, as part of the Salem Maritime National Historical Park (as redesignated by section 2(a)), sites and resources in the study area associated with the study area’s—

(1)

maritime history;

(2)

coastal defenses; and

(3)

military history, including National Guard and militia activity.

(b)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to conduct the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1)

the results of the study; and

(2)

any findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Secretary.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2)

Study area

The term study area means Salem, Massachusetts, and its vicinity, and includes the Salem Armory Visitor Center building and adjacent Salem Armory Park.