Summary of the CARES Act and Upcoming Webinar 

On Friday March 27 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act by voice vote (it passed the Senate on March 25). The National Trust Government Relations team and others have pulled together a summary of the act and its implications for historic preservation. Read the story and then register for the Preservation Leadership Forum webinar on this legislation and future advocacy on April 2, 2020 at 3pm. 

National Environmental Policy Act Regulations Under Review

On January 10, 2020, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requesting public comments on rule changes that, if implemented, would severely undermine NEPA’s effectiveness in protecting natural and historic resources. Submit Comments by March 10. 

HUD and Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing

In response to a request for information (RFI), the National Trust offered comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing, regarding Federal, State, local and Tribal laws, regulations, and administrative practices that raise the costs of affordable housing and contribute to shortages in housing supply. Executive Order 13878 establishing the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing states that historic preservation requirements are a regulatory barrier to the development of affordable housing.

Read Key Messages and Full National Trust Comments

Deferred Maintenance at NPS

The National Park System tells the story of remarkable people and events in our nation’s rich history at sites across the United States. Unfortunately, inconsistent public funding has resulted in an infrastructure repair backlog estimated to be about $12 billion dollars, and many of the National Park Service’s most significant historic sites are at risk of falling into disrepair.  Join us in asking your Representative to cosponsor and support the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act (H.R. 1225)—bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) that will help address this backlog.

State Historic Tax Credits

 Thirty-four states currently offer credits against state taxes to provide incentives for the appropriate rehabilitation of historic buildings. Since many historic rehabilitation projects are viable only with the financial leverage of both the federal credit and a state credit, states that have state-level historic rehabilitation tax credits typically see a greater level of historic rehabilitation activity.

The Great American Outdoors Act

In early March, the Senate introduced the Great American Outdoors Act. If enacted, this legislation would be the single largest federal investment in preservation of historic and cultural resources for public lands in our generation, and it would provide the support necessary to ensure America’s historic places are saved for generations to come. This historic legislation combines two important bills: one supporting dedicated funding for deferred maintenance of the National Park Service and other federal agencies, and one supporting full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

We expect this bill to come to the Senate floor for a vote as early as the week of June 8. Please contact your Senators and ask them to vote yes on this historic piece of legislation

Appropriations Resources 

The annual federal appropriations process has big impacts on historic preservation work nationwide. Learn more about the National Trust’s appropriations work and how you can advocate for key federal programs that help steward and protect historic places in every state and congressional district.

Support the Antiquities Act 

Since 1906, the Antiquities Act has enabled 16 presidents from both parties to swiftly protect historic sites and culturally important lands, ranging from the Statue of Liberty, to the Grand Canyon, to sites associated with Cesar Chavez. Now it is under threat on Capitol Hill. Join us in calling on Congress to support this vitally important preservation tool.

Historic Tax Credit Growth & Opportunity Act

The historic tax credit (HTC) has a proven track record of kickstarting job creation and attracting private investment, while preserving tangible links to our past.

But with some strategic improvements, this vital program can do even more—specifically for smaller projects typically located in Main Streets and more rural areas.  Ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor the HTC-GO Act.

Update: In October 2019 members of the Senate have just introduced legislation that will enhance the value of the federal HTC and help ensure that historic rehabilitation continues unabated after changes were made to the program in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.