S. 3524Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2025

Introduced December 17, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 13, 2026 at 5:41 AM UTC

The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2025 updates grant programs that protect historic battlefields. It extends the Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program through fiscal year 2035, raises the cost‑share share for interpretation and restoration grants from 50% to 75%, and authorizes $2 million per year for those grants. The bill also directs the Interior Secretary to study French and Indian War and Mexican‑American War sites across the United States, identifying their significance and preservation options. These changes affect federal agencies, state, tribal and local governments, historic preservation groups, and owners of battlefield sites.

Key Provisions

  • Extends the Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program authorization to fiscal year 2035.
  • Increases the cost‑share requirement for the Battlefield Interpretation Modernization Grant from 50% to 75% and removes a previous subsection.
  • Increases the cost‑share requirement for the Battlefield Restoration Grant from 50% to 75% and adds an annual $2 million appropriation for these grants through 2035.
  • Requires the Secretary of the Interior to prepare studies of French and Indian War and Mexican‑American War sites, identifying their significance, threats, and preservation alternatives.
  • Mandates consultation with state governors, tribal governments, local officials, and preservation organizations, and a report to Congress within two years of funding.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

July 21, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

December 17, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

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

December 17, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

July 21, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued December 17, 2025

II

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 3524

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 17, 2025

Mr. McCormick (for himself and Mr. Kaine) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2025.

2.

American Battlefield Protection Program grant programs

(a)

Reauthorization of battlefield acquisition grant program

Section 308103(f) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking 2028 and inserting 2035.

(b)

Battlefield interpretation modernization grant program

Section 308104 of title 54, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c), by striking 50 and inserting 75; and

(2)

by striking subsection (d).

(c)

Battlefield Restoration Grant Program

Section 308105 of title 54, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c), by striking 50 and inserting 75; and

(2)

by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

(e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to provide grants under section 308104 and this section $2,000,000 for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2035.

.

3.

French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites studies

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Director of the National Park Service) (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall prepare studies of sites and structures located in the United States that are thematically tied with nationally significant events that occurred during—

(1)

the French and Indian War from 1754–1763; and

(2)

the Mexican-American War from 1846–1848.

(b)

Contents

The studies prepared under subsection (a) shall—

(1)

identify French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites, respectively, located within the United States;

(2)

determine the relative significance of the identified sites;

(3)

assess short- and long-term threats to the integrity of the identified sites; and

(4)

provide alternatives for the preservation and interpretation of the identified sites by the Federal Government, State, local, and Tribal governments, or other public or private entities, including potential designation of the identified sites as units of the National Park System, as appropriate.

(c)

Consideration of previous studies and reports

In preparing the studies under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider and may include information from previous studies and reports relating to French and Indian War or Mexican-American War historic sites prepared by the National Park Service, the American Battlefield Trust, or other historic preservation organizations, as appropriate.

(d)

Consultation

In preparing the studies under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with—

(1)

the Governor of each affected State;

(2)

each affected Indian Tribe;

(3)

each affected unit of local government;

(4)

the American Battlefield Trust and other national, Tribal, State, and local historic preservation organizations; and

(5)

other interested entities or persons.

(e)

Submission to Congress

Not later than 2 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out the studies under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the studies.