PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 25
JULY 25, 2019

Schedule a Meeting or Site Visit With Your Members of Congress During the August Recess

Preservation Action is urging our members and supporters to ramp up their advocacy efforts as Congress begins their summer recess. The House and Senate will be on recess from August 3rd to September 8th. This is a critical time to reach out to your Representative and  Senators and invite them to tour a Historic Tax Credit project in their district/state, or schedule a meeting. Congress is expected to consider several pieces of must-pass legislation in the Fall and we hope to insert provisions from the  Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R 2825) into larger, must-pass bills that address tax issues. The August recess is the best opportunity for lawmakers to see the incredible benefits of the Historic Tax Credit and potential benefits of the HTC-GO Act first-hand.  Reach out to your members of Congress today!

TAKE ACTION
  1. Invite your members of Congress to attend an in-district/in-state meeting or tour a completed or planned HTC project. Representatives and Senators will be in-district Aug. 3rd to Sep. 8th. Showing members of Congress rehabilitated historic buildings is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate the value of the HTC. Be sure to also discuss how the HTC-GO could further benefit communities across their district/state. Be flexible with possible dates to meet, but if your member of Congress is unavailable, offer to meet with their staff.
  2. Review the Congressional site-visit guide. Our partners at the National Trust Community Investment Corporation and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition put together a sample meeting request letter and site-visit guidance document to make it easy for advocates to reach out their lawmakers.
  3. Encourage your Representative to cosponsor HTC-GO, H.R 2825. It is absolutely critical we demonstrate broad support for the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act. Our efforts are gaining steam, we are up to 36 bipartisan cosponsors. We expect similar legislation to be introduced in the Senate this summer.
If you need any assistance arranging a site visit or meeting contact Rob Naylor at Preservation Action ( [email protected]). Also be sure share stories and photos from your site visits with us on  Facebook and  Twitter!
Congressional Leaders and the Administration Negotiated a 2 Year Budget Deal. Votes Expected in House and Senate

Congressional leaders and the Trump Administration negotiated a 2 year budget deal that will prevent extreme, across-the-board cuts and extend the debt ceiling limit. The budget deal sets top line budget numbers for appropriators to work from, which impacts funding levels for several historic preservation priorities including the Historic Preservation Fund. The House is expected to vote on the budget deal this evening, before departing for the August Recess. The Senate is expected to vote on the agreement next week. 

T he House passed all of their appropriations bills earlier this summer, while the Senate delayed their appropriations process, while negotiators could work out an overall budget deal. The Senate Appropriations Committee expects to be begin writing appropriations bills during the August recess so they are ready for markups by the time the Senate returns in September. 

The FY20 House Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill funds the Historic Preservation Fund at a record level, $121.66 million. This includes critical increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and strong support for competitive grant programs like Save America's Treasures and the Civil Rights Movement grant program. The bill also included report language objecting to the proposed rule changes that would dramatically alter the nomination process for the National Register of Historic Places.

Preservation Action appreciates the strong support of historic preservation included in the House bill and urges similarly, robust funding for historic preservation in the Senate. Check out Preservation Action's written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee to learn more. 
Bills to Protect the Grand Canyon and Chaco Cultural Heritage Area from Harmful Development Advances in House Committee

Chaco Culture Historical Park
The House Natural Resources Committee voted in support of the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, sending the legislation to the full House for consideration. The Grand Canyon Protection Act, introduced by Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), would make the moratorium on new uranium mining claims in the federal lands surrounding the Grand Canyon permanent, protecting the watershed, ecosystem and cultural heritage of the Grand Canyon region. The bill passed 21-14, along a mostly party line vote.

The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Area Act would create a 10 mile buffer zone around Chaco Cultural Historical Park from future oil and gas development on federal land. The area under consideration is home to incredible examples of Chacaon architecture and numerous cultural resources, many of which are significantly threatened by energy development. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, after visiting the region last month, placed a 1 year energy development moratorium on the land, but more needs to be done. The bipartisan bill passed out of committee 19-14, again along mostly party lines. Preservation Action joined our preservation partners in urging support for the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act.

Preservation Action appreciates the work of the committee to advance these important bills and urge quick action from the full House. Stay tuned for more.
Preservation Action Foundation's Annual Auction Returns October 10th. Get Your Tickets Today!


Get your tickets today! Join us in the Gallery of Denver's Union Station for Preservation Action Foundation's Legendary Party and Live Auction on October 10th, immediately following the opening reception of PastForward 2019. The annual auction has long been a highlight for the Preservation Action Foundation and of the National Preservation Conference. 

Built in 1881, Union Station is a landmark of the Bonanza Years of Railroads in Colorado. Sip complimentary wine, Colorado beers, and specialty cocktails while enjoying a Southwest-style buffet. Greet old preservation friends and meet new ones at the reception preceding the Preservation Action Foundation's legendary live auction.

Take advantage of best prices and get your tickets today!



This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event are used to assist the education and training, advocacy, and programs of the Preservation Action Foundation.

Donate an Auction Item

Help support the auction, donate an auction item today.  We are currently seeking donations like hotel stays, tours of historic sites, tickets to special events and conferences, and other unique experiences. This is a great way to highlight your organization and your city/state to an active and interested group of people. Interested in donating an auction item? Check out our Auction donation packet for more information!

Pennsylvania Budget Reauthorizes and Enhances State Historic Tax Credit Program

Pennsylvania's 2019-2020 state budget was signed into law and included reauthorization of the state's historic tax credit program and several other improvements that help to enhance the program. The budget reauthorized the tax credit through 2031 and increased the program cap from $3 million to $5 million annually. The budget also included a 5% increase in the historic tax credit if the rehabilitation creates workforce housing.

While preservation advocates in Pennsylvania pushed for a higher cap on their historic tax credit, the changes and improvements to the program represent a significant victory that will have a substantial impact on historic preservation across the state. The budget also improved language allowing for the transfer of historic tax credits, and clarified that the state program would not be subject to the changes seen at the federal level, requiring the tax credit to be taken over 5 years.

Congratulations to Preservation Pennsylvania and other preservation advocates in Pennsylvania who reached out to their state lawmakers and made their voices heard!

Preservation Action
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #313
Washington, DC 20006
p. 202-463-0970


Preservation Action is the only national  non-profit dedicated exclusively to lobbying for the best preservation policies at the federal level. We seek to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of government through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training.