2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Standardize The Federal Designation Of
National Heritage Areas And Provide Financial Aid And Management
Oversight To Heritage Areas. In December 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the National Heritage
Area Act, which would "standardize the federal designation of National
Heritage Areas, which are congressionally designated historic,
culturally important areas that receive federal support and are
administered by local organizations, governments and nonprofits. The
bill would create within the Interior Department a National Heritage
Area System comprising all national heritage areas. Among other
provisions, it would direct the department to provide financial
assistance and management oversight to heritage areas and authorize the
department to conduct feasibility and suitability studies for the
addition of proposed heritage areas to the system. The bill would also
extend the authorization of 45 heritage areas through 2037 and authorize
between $1-2 million in annual funding for heritage areas. It would
require feasibility studies for two new heritage areas, designate seven
new heritage areas and redesignate two existing heritage areas." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 326-95, thus
the bill was sent to President Biden and it ultimately became law.
[House Vote 540,
12/22/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/22/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
1942]
The Bill Extended The Authorization Of 45 Heritage Areas Through
2037 And Provided $1-2 Million Annually For Heritage Areas.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would also extend
the authorization of 45 heritage areas through 2037 and authorize
between $1-2 million in annual funding for heritage areas."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/22/22]
The Bill Created A Formal System For National Heritage Areas And
Designated 7 New Areas To Help Community Protect American History.
According to a press release from the National Parks Conservation
Association, "Today, members of Congress crossed the aisle to
prioritize and pass the National Heritage Area Act, creating a
formal system for America's national heritage areas and designating
seven new ones to help communities protect priceless, diverse
American history across the country." [Press Release − National
Parks Conservation Association,
12/22/22]
National Heritage Areas Provide Technical Assistance And Grants To
Local Partners Who Create And Maintain Historic, Cultural And
Recreational Resources That Celebrate Shared Experiences And
Encourage Pride In Communities. According to a press release from
the National Parks Conservation Association, "National heritage
areas are the epitome of effective public private partnerships. They
provide technical assistance and grants from the National Park
Service to local partners who establish and maintain historic,
cultural, natural, and recreational resources that celebrate the
common touchstones of our shared experiences and promote a very
strong pride of place in communities across this nation." [Press
Release − National Parks Conservation Association,
12/22/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The National Heritage Area
Act. In December 2022, according to the Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res 1529) that
would provide for House floor consideration of [...] the National
Heritage Area Act (S 1942). The rule would provide for one hour of
debate and a closed rule on each measure." The vote was on the adoption
of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 216 -- 193. [House
Vote 531, 12/21/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
12/21/22; Congressional
Actions, H.Res.
1529;
Congressional Actions, S.
1942]