To direct the Secretary of the Interior to restore interpretive and educational exhibits at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7763
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-04T09:06:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to restore certain interpretive and educational displays at Independence National Historical Park and limits future changes to those displays.
Key Provisions
- The bill requires the Secretary to restore any covered exhibits removed from public display after January 21, 2026, so they appear as they did on that date. Restoration must occur within 15 days of the Act's enactment.
- It prohibits the Secretary from adding, removing, destroying, or altering covered exhibits without specific congressional approval.
- "Covered exhibit" is defined as any interpretive or educational exhibit, sign, plaque, or other display.
- The "Historical Park" refers specifically to Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- The "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The Act introduces a new requirement for rapid restoration of specific displays and adds a statutory barrier to unilateral alterations by the National Park Service, shifting authority for exhibit decisions at this park to Congress.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: It directs immediate action by the National Park Service and may require reallocating resources for restoration.
- On citizens: Visitors to the park would see restored displays, potentially affecting public education and interpretation of historical content.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The National Park Service and the Department of the Interior.
- Visitors and the general public interested in the historical site.
- Members of Congress, who gain oversight authority over exhibit changes.
- Local representatives and residents of Pennsylvania.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill limits executive branch discretion in managing a national park by requiring congressional authorization for changes, which may affect how interpretive content at federal historic sites is handled in the future.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting American History Act — issued 2026-03-03 — PDF (2 pages)