Bill · S. 5169· Senate(119-S-5169)
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Boundary Expansion and Partnership Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/29/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- James Justice
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Boundary Expansion and Partnership Act of 2026. It expands the boundaries of the existing historic district to include Rockbridge County in Virginia, as well as Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties in West Virginia. The legislation formally recognizes and enhances the partnership model used to manage the district and updates references to include both Virginia and West Virginia. It outlines specific administrative guidelines, exempts the district from certain National Heritage Area System formulas, and guarantees ongoing funding eligibility. Additionally, the bill authorizes specific appropriations for management, operations, grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition, while requiring a report from the Secretary of the Interior on replicating the partnership model.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill expands historic district boundaries and provides funding for land acquisition and maintenance of battlefield parks.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill expands the management of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields and authorizes funds for land acquisition.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The expansion of the historic district provides potential development and preservation resources for specific rural counties in Virginia and West Virginia.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Boundary Expansion and Regional Inclusion: Section 2(b) expands the district to include Rockbridge County, Virginia, and Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties, West Virginia. This is positive because it brings recognition and historic preservation efforts to these newly added areas.
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Guaranteed Funding and Support: Section 2(c)(4) ensures that the district and its management entity continue to receive at least the same level of funding starting in fiscal year 2027 as they did in fiscal year 2026, while also keeping them eligible for grants and technical assistance. This provides financial stability for managing the historic sites.
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Dedicated Appropriations for Maintenance and Grants: Section 2(d) authorizes specific appropriations, including $1,250,000 annually for operations, maintenance, and facilities, and $2,500,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. This ensures resources are directly available to maintain properties and support local projects.
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Replication of Successful Management: Section 2(e) requires a report within two years from the Secretary of the Interior with recommendations on how to replicate the district's partnership model at other locations in the National Park System. This could lead to positive collaborative management models nationwide.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Government Spending: Section 2(d) authorizes significant federal appropriations of taxpayer money, including $1,250,000 every fiscal year and an additional $2,500,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033. For citizens concerned about federal spending and the national debt, these authorized costs place a direct burden on taxpayers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Public Land Management+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
- 7/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia