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Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 5, 2023
National Heritage Area Act
This act establishes a National Heritage Area System.
The Department of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance to local coordinating entities to support the establishment, development, and continuity of such areas.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The National Heritage Area System shall be composed of
each National Heritage Area, National Heritage Corridor, National Heritage Canalway, Cultural Heritage Corridor, National Heritage Route, and National Heritage Partnership designated by Congress before or on enactment of this act; and
each National Heritage Area designated by Congress after enactment of this act.
A National Heritage Area shall not be considered to be a unit of the National Park System nor subject to the authorities applicable to such units.
Interior may carry out or review a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of each proposed heritage area for designation as a National Heritage Area. Interior must review and certify whether the proposed area meets specified requirements, including that it has natural, historic, and cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States.
An area shall be designated as a National Heritage Area only by an act of Congress.
Interior shall conduct studies to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating specified areas in Hawaii as the Kaena Point National Heritage Area and in Virginia and North Carolina as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area.
The act also (1) establishes or extends specified National Heritage Areas, (2) redesignates the America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership in Iowa as the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, and (3) extends the deadline for the management plans for certain heritage areas.
People & committees
Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] · D–MI
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 117-339.
Became Public Law No: 117-339.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 326 - 95 (Roll no. 540). (text: CR H10002-10006)
House roll call 540 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 326 - 95 (Roll no. 540).
House roll call 540 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10030-10031)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 1942, the Chair put the question on passage and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Westerman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on passage until a time to be announced.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 1942.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9640 and S. 1942. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. Rule provides for one hour of debate on each measure. Also provides for a motion to recommit H.R. 9640 and a motion to commit S. 1942. H. Res. 693 and H. Res. 1434 are adopted. Provides for the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multile measures.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1529. (consideration: CR H10002-10009)
Rule H. Res. 1529 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1529 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9640 and S. 1942. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. Rule provides for one hour of debate on each measure. Also provides for a motion to recommit H.R. 9640 and a motion to commit S. 1942. H. Res. 693 and H. Res. 1434 are adopted. Provides for the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multile measures.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9677-9681)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S9618)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9614-9618)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 499.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-156.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-156.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 117-450.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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