Veterans Affairs Heritage Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8946
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-08T17:33:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill establishes a dedicated history office within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to collect, preserve, and share the agency's historical records and artifacts. It aims to support ongoing history outreach and public exhibits by the VA's centennial year in 2030.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Creates the Department of Veterans Affairs History Office, consisting of a history program and a national history center, located initially in Dayton, Ohio (with the location requirement ending after eight years).
- Appoints a Chief Historian who reports directly to the VA Secretary and may include additional professional and administrative staff.
- Assigns responsibilities including implementation of existing VA Directive 7777, public education activities, facility maintenance for archives and exhibits, and training on historical preservation.
- Forms an Internal Coordination Group, chaired by the Deputy Secretary, with representatives from various VA offices and administrations to advise on operations.
- Transfers administration of the Veterans Legacy Program, Veterans Legacy Memorial, and the Veterans' History Project to the new office.
- Authorizes the Secretary to accept gifts and bequests, enter partnerships or cooperative agreements, and lease property to support office activities.
- Requires the Secretary to submit a long-range planning report within 180 days and annual progress reports through December 31, 2030.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Adds a new section (Sec. 325) to Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, formally establishing the History Office in statute.
- Shifts functions related to the Veterans Legacy Program and Memorial from the National Cemetery Administration to the new office.
- Moves oversight of the Veterans' History Project (previously under the Library of Congress) to the VA History Office.
- Grants new authorities for accepting donations, leasing space, and forming partnerships not previously specified in this context.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Centralizes historical functions within the VA, potentially improving coordination but requiring resource allocation for staffing, facilities, and transfers.
- On citizens: Enhances public access to VA history through exhibits, publications, and educational programs, including for veterans and the general public.
- On international relations: No provisions address international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Veterans Affairs and its administrations (Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration).
- Veterans and the public, through expanded historical resources and exhibits.
- Congress, via required reporting to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
- Nonprofit organizations, through potential partnerships and leasing arrangements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill includes a rule of construction clarifying that it does not affect the Archivist of the United States' authority over permanent records.
- It creates new statutory authority for gifts, leases, and transfers without altering broader records management laws.
- No explicit constitutional issues are addressed in the legislation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Affairs Heritage Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (13 pages)