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National Heritage Partnership Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.

Official summary

Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Aug 25, 2004

National Heritage Partnership Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Heritage Areas program under which the Secretary shall provide technical and financial assistance to local coordinating entities to support the establishment of National Heritage Areas. Describes the Secretary's duties, including conducting studies, providing technical assistance, and submitting annual reports.

(Sec. 4) Specifies the criteria that the Secretary shall apply to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating proposed Areas. States that designation of an Area shall be: (1) by Act of Congress; and (2) contingent on the prior completion of a study and an affirmative determination by the Secretary that the area meets such criteria.

(Sec. 5) Sets forth requirements for Area management plans. Instructs local coordinating entities to submit plans to the Secretary for approval. Prohibits a local coordinating entity from using Federal funds authorized by this Act to implement an amendment until the Secretary approves the amendment.

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(Sec. 6) Requires such an entity to submit annual reports to the Secretary for each fiscal year for which the local coordinating committee receives Federal funds under this Act.

Bars local coordinating entities from using Federal funds authorized under this Act to acquire any interest in real property.

(Sec. 7) Specifies this Act's effect with regard to: (1) the provision of technical or financial assistance by other Federal agencies; (2) the management or use of Federal land by other Federal agencies; and (3) specified private property and regulatory protections.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.

Terminates the authority of the Secretary to provide financial assistance to an individual local coordinating entity (excluding technical assistance and administrative oversight) 15 years after the initial receipt of the assistance by the local coordinating committee.

Limits to five percent the amount of funds that may be used by the Secretary for technical assistance, oversight, and administration.

Requires grant recipients to provide, as a condition of receiving a grant under this Act, matching funds from non-Federal sources equal to the grant amount.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY] · R–WY

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

  3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Received in the House.

  5. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9356-9360; text as passed Senate: CR S9356-9360)

  6. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9356-9360; text as passed Senate: CR S9356-9360)

  7. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 685.

  8. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/22/04 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-329.

  9. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/22/04 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-329.

  10. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  11. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-692.

  12. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR 6/18/2004 S7012-7014)

  13. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 6/18/2004 S7012)

  14. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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