Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7179
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-10T10:23:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act (H.R. 7179) aims to create a federal grant program to train workers in the specialized skills needed to preserve and maintain historic buildings, sites, and artifacts. This builds a skilled workforce to protect cultural and historical resources across the United States, while addressing job training needs in underserved areas.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Program: The Secretary of the Interior (referred to as "the Secretary") will run a competitive grant program called the Historic Preservation Workforce Development Program. It funds training, apprenticeships, and skill-building for preserving historic properties (like old buildings or archaeological sites) and related cultural items (such as documents or photos).
- Eligible Recipients: Grants can go to:
- State, territorial, local governments, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
- Public or nonprofit groups with proven experience in historic preservation.
- Accredited schools or universities offering relevant training programs.
- Eligible Projects: Funded activities must:
- Target historic sites or cultural resources that need expert care due to their age, materials, or importance.
- Create or grow education, training, or apprenticeship programs teaching specific skills, including:
- Historic construction techniques like masonry (stone/brick work), timber framing, and structural repairs.
- Finishing and decorative work such as plaster, tile, wood carvings, or metal details.
- Preservation of documents, photos, or archival materials.
- Archaeological tasks like stabilizing sites, documenting findings, and conserving materials.
- For projects involving "skilled trades" (formal jobs like carpentry or masonry, as defined by federal labor rules), they must follow Department of Labor standards, register with the Office of Apprenticeship if needed, and respect any union agreements (collective bargaining).
- Priorities for Funding: Preference goes to projects in:
- Areas with unemployment higher than the national average.
- Regions lacking preservation experts, such as rural or low-income communities.
- Administration and Reporting:
- The Secretary can set rules and application processes, similar to existing historic preservation grants.
- Grant recipients must report results, such as the number of people trained and those earning certifications in preservation trades. The Secretary will track these outcomes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new section (302911) to chapter 3029 of title 54, United States Code, which governs the Historic Preservation Fund. Previously, this chapter focused on general funding for preservation efforts but did not include a dedicated program for workforce training or apprenticeships. It also updates the chapter's table of contents to reflect the new section. No other parts of existing law are altered.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (likely through the National Park Service) will gain responsibility for administering grants, setting rules, and tracking outcomes, potentially increasing administrative workload but also expanding federal support for cultural heritage.
- On Citizens: It could create job opportunities and training pathways in preservation fields, especially benefiting unemployed individuals or those in rural/underserved areas. This may help maintain historic sites, boosting local tourism and community pride without direct costs to individuals.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the program is focused on domestic U.S. historic resources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Government Entities: Federal agencies (e.g., Department of the Interior), states, local governments, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations, which can apply for and manage grants.
- Nonprofits and Educational Institutions: Experienced preservation groups and schools that deliver training programs.
- Workers and Communities: Unemployed or underemployed people seeking skills in trades; rural, high-unemployment, or culturally significant areas that gain expertise and jobs.
- Labor Groups: Unions and apprenticeships, as projects must align with labor standards and bargaining agreements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The program ties into existing federal preservation laws (like the National Historic Preservation Act) by using the Historic Preservation Fund framework, ensuring compliance with labor regulations (e.g., via the Department of Labor). It promotes measurable accountability through reporting, reducing risks of fund misuse.
- Constitutional: No major issues; it involves standard congressional spending power for education and cultural programs, respecting tribal sovereignty by including Indian tribes as eligible recipients.
- Political: This could appeal across party lines by combining job creation with cultural preservation, potentially supporting infrastructure goals (e.g., fixing historic buildings). It emphasizes equity by prioritizing underserved areas, but funding levels and implementation will depend on future appropriations, which Congress controls.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act — issued 2026-01-21 — PDF (5 pages)