Camp Nelson National Monument Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5928
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-02T19:14:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to redesignate "Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument" as "Camp Nelson National Monument" by amending an existing law. The change simplifies the official name without altering the monument's purpose, boundaries, or management.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is titled the "Camp Nelson National Monument Act."
- Amendments to Existing Law: Modifies Section 2303 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9) by:
- Removing "heritage" from the section heading.
- Updating references in subsection (a)(2) from "Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument" to "Camp Nelson National Monument."
- Updating references in subsection (b)(1) from "Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument" to "Camp Nelson National Monument."
- References Clause: Any mention of the former name ("Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument") in U.S. laws, maps, regulations, documents, or records is automatically treated as referring to the new name ("Camp Nelson National Monument").
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces only nominal changes by eliminating the word "heritage" from the monument's official designation. It does not modify the monument's establishment, operations, funding, or protections under federal law. This is a straightforward renaming to streamline terminology.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The National Park Service (NPS), which manages the site, will need to update signage, websites, publications, and administrative records, but this is a minor administrative task with no additional costs or operational shifts anticipated.
- On Citizens: Visitors, educators, and the public may experience improved clarity in the monument's name, potentially increasing awareness and accessibility. Local communities near the site in Kentucky could see subtle benefits in tourism branding.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as the bill is purely domestic and unrelated to foreign affairs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service (NPS): Primary manager responsible for implementing the name change in official materials.
- Local Communities and Historians: Residents and organizations in Nicholas County, Kentucky, where Camp Nelson is located, as the site preserves Civil War history, including roles of African American Union soldiers.
- Congress and Federal Agencies: Involved in the legislative process and any required updates to federal records.
- Public Visitors and Educators: Benefit from a simplified name for educational and recreational purposes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The change is administrative and does not affect the monument's legal status or protections under the Antiquities Act or other preservation laws. It ensures consistency in federal nomenclature without requiring new appropriations.
- Constitutional: No implications, as it involves routine congressional authority over public lands and naming conventions.
- Political: This is a non-controversial bill focused on historical site management, likely to garner bipartisan support due to its limited scope and emphasis on preserving Civil War heritage. It reflects ongoing efforts to honor U.S. history without substantive policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Camp Nelson National Monument Act — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (2 pages)