To providing access to certain memorials on Federal property during Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8613
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T22:42:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to ensure public access to certain non-federally funded memorials (sites of commemoration, such as memorials or cemeteries) located on federal property during government shutdowns caused by lapses in appropriations.
Key Provisions
- Access Requirement: During a lapse in appropriations for a federal agency, the agency must provide public access to any qualifying memorial that:
- Is not funded by the federal government.
- Is generally open to the public via the agency's federal facility or property when the agency is funded and operating normally.
- Employee Exception: Federal employees whose duties involve providing such public access are exempt from furlough (layoff). They are treated as performing "emergency services" under 31 U.S.C. § 1342 (a law that allows limited work during shutdowns only for threats to human life or property).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Modifies application of the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. § 1342) by classifying memorial access duties as emergency services, allowing employees to work and agencies to incur expenses without appropriations—something not explicitly covered before for these sites.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires agencies (e.g., National Park Service) managing federal properties with qualifying memorials to maintain access and staffing during shutdowns, potentially increasing minimal operational costs.
- Citizens: Improves public access to important commemorative sites during shutdowns, preventing closures seen in past events like the 2018-2019 shutdown.
- No notable international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal agencies overseeing properties with memorials (e.g., Department of the Interior).
- Federal employees at those sites tasked with public access.
- General public, including visitors, families, and veterans honoring memorials or cemeteries.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands "emergency services" interpretation under the Antideficiency Act, potentially setting precedent for similar non-safety access during shutdowns.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the Appropriations Clause (Article I, Section 9) by limiting unpaid work but carving out exceptions for public access to non-federal assets.
- Political: Addresses public frustration over memorial closures in prior shutdowns, promoting continuity of symbolic national sites without broad spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To providing access to certain memorials on Federal property during Government shutdown, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (2 pages)