WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 7618 · 119th Congress

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026

Passed HousePublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedFeb 20, 2026
Passed HouseJun 3, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 30, 2026: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. The House passed it 404–13. It would change 3 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 7618 would change 3 sections of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jun 4, 2026).

54 U.S.C. 308103 Battlefield acquisition grant program

  • (f) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the… changed · Sec. 2(a) · see the words

54 U.S.C. 308104 Battlefield interpretation modernization grant program

54 U.S.C. 308105 Battlefield restoration grant program

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 3 French and indian war and mexican-american war sites studies
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 54 U.S.C. 308103(f)changedby H.R. 7618 Sec. 2(a)

    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to provide grants under this section $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 20282036.

    The bill says: Section 308103(f) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking "2028" and inserting "2036".

    Bill text · Current law (54 U.S.C. 308103)

  2. 54 U.S.C. 308104removedby H.R. 7618 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: Section 308104 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (d).

    Bill text · Current law (54 U.S.C. 308104)

  3. 54 U.S.C. 308105changedby H.R. 7618 Sec. 2(c)

    The bill says: Section 308105 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

    Bill text · Current law (54 U.S.C. 308105)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026

This bill extends through FY2036 three National Park Service (NPS) grant programs that preserve U.S. battlefields and requires the NPS to study additional sites for potential preservation.

Specifically, the bill extends through FY2036 grant programs for the acquisition, interpretation modernization, and restoration of certain U.S. battlefields. (Under current law, the grants are authorized through FY2028.)

The bill also requires the NPS to prepare or certify studies of locations tied to significant events during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) for potential preservation.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, May 20, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Sep 30, 2026Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
  2. Jul 21, 2026Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.Senate
  3. Jun 4, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
  4. Jun 3, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  5. Jun 3, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 13 (Roll no. 192). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  6. Jun 3, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 13 (Roll no. 192). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  7. Jun 3, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3793-3794)House floor actions
  8. Jun 2, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
  9. Jun 2, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7618.House floor actions
  10. Jun 2, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3755-3757; text: CR H3755-3756)House floor actions
  11. Jun 2, 2026Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  12. May 20, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 578.House floor actions
  13. May 20, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-664.House floor actions
  14. May 20, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-664.Library of Congress
  15. Apr 21, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
  16. Apr 21, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  17. Apr 21, 2026Subcommittee on Federal Lands DischargedHouse committee actions
  18. Mar 26, 2026Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  19. Mar 19, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.House committee actions
  20. Feb 20, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  21. Feb 20, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  22. Feb 20, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Jun 3, 2026 · HousePassed 404–13
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 196 yes, 13 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 207 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Brian K. Fitzpatrick R-PA-1
  • Susie Lee D-NV-3
  • Seth Magaziner D-RI-2
  • Richard McCormick R-GA-7
  • Max L. Miller R-OH-7
  • Glenn Thompson R-PA-15