Bill Overview
Title: Historic Preservation Enhancement Act
Description: This bill provides increased funding for and makes permanent the Historic Preservation Fund. This fund supports grants for states, tribes, localities, and nonprofits to carry out historic preservation activities. Any amounts deposited in the fund shall be made available for expenditure without further congressional appropriation. The President shall submit to Congress program allocations made available from the fund as part of the President's annual budget.
Sponsors: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in and affected by historic preservation activities
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill impacts organizations and communities involved in historic preservation.
- It affects states, tribes, localities, and non-profits that are eligible for and receive grants from the Historic Preservation Fund.
- It indirectly impacts residents and communities with historically significant sites as preservation efforts maintain cultural heritage.
- Potential impact extends to educational institutions and researchers focusing on history and cultural studies.
- Tourism sectors may also be affected by enhanced preservation efforts which could bolster local economies.
Reasoning
- Historic preservation funding primarily affects organizations and communities involved with maintaining historical sites. The policy benefits a diverse set of populations including local governments, tribes, non-profits, community groups, and even indirectly the tourism sector.
- The policy has a moderate budget, likely limiting the scope of funded projects to the most critical or feasible ones, but potentially providing substantial benefits to those projects that receive funds.
- Communities that receive grants may see cultural and economic revitalization, leading to improved community pride and potentially attracting tourists.
- Some individuals may benefit more directly through involvement with preservation projects or indirectly through improved community resources and identity.
- It's important to consider that a significant portion of the population, particularly those not involved in historic preservation, may see no personal impact from the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Community Planner (Santa Fe, NM)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy could provide much-needed funds to restore several historic adobe buildings in our town that have significant cultural importance.
- These funds can help boost local tourism which is vital for our local economy.
- I am optimistic about the longer-term impacts of historical preservation on our community's identity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Historian (Charleston, SC)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is a step in the right direction as it ensures funding won't dwindle because of annual lobbying.
- This funding secures educational programs for students which are crucial for understanding heritage.
- The impact on grassroots organizations will be positive, but it might take a long time to see tangible improvements across broader regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Grant Writer for a Preservation Non-Profit (St. Louis, MO)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act means our projects have a better chance of getting off the ground, especially smaller projects that are often overlooked.
- I hope to see more collaboration between agencies fueled by these funds.
- The permanency aspect of the fund simplifies our advocacy efforts considerably.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Member of a Tribal Preservation Committee (Alaska)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This funding is immensely helpful for tribes needing resources to protect heritage sites from climate change.
- Given the increasing loss of indigenous cultural sites, this policy is crucial.
- Improvements in preservation directly improve cultural pride and provide educational opportunities for youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Tourism Board Director (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhancing our historic sites can uniquely position our city to attract cultural tourism.
- This policy will magnify the charm of our city, potentially increasing revenue streams.
- It will take a few years to fully leverage these funds into tangible turismo growth, but the future looks promising.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Real Estate Developer (Savannah, GA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There’s a delicate balance between preserving history and modern needs; this fund helps us find it.
- The predictability in funding is crucial for long-term project planning.
- Community support and interest in preserving local history will bolster our projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired National Parks Chief (Washington D.C.)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The permanence of the fund provides stability that was previously lacking.
- This can encourage states to plan more ambitious preservation projects.
- I hope to see increased partnerships between government, private sectors, and communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Local Business Owner (Small Town, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a chance to revitalize our town, potentially increasing foot traffic for our businesses.
- Interaction with tourists interested in history could be a great boost.
- We've been trying to promote local heritage, and this fund might just provide the push we need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Graduate History Student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act not only supports physical preservation but also elevates historical studies and awareness.
- It might open up more research grants and training opportunities for students like me.
- The effects on public education and interest in history could be substantial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
School Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may start funding programs that preserve historical education materials and resources.
- I anticipate more educational field trips and workshops becoming available to us.
- I'd like to see these funds facilitating wider community engagement with history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $550000000)
Year 2: $510000000 (Low: $460000000, High: $560000000)
Year 3: $520000000 (Low: $470000000, High: $570000000)
Year 5: $540000000 (Low: $490000000, High: $590000000)
Year 10: $600000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $650000000)
Year 100: $1200000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill will create a permanent fund, requiring continuous Federal budget allocations.
- There is an indefinite timeframe for these financial commitments, impacting long-term fiscal planning.
- The potential for increased local tourism due to preserved sites highlights indirect economic benefits.