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Preservation Action Legislative Update
Legislative Update
Volume 25. Number 18
June 10, 2022
1. PA SUBMITS SENATE TESTIMONY
2. APPLY FOR HPF EQUAL RIGHTS GRANT
3. MINNESOTA HTC AT RISK
4. STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATES
Preservation Action Submits Testimony to Senate Appropriations Committee
This week, Preservation Action submitted written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies as they work on drafting FY23 appropriations for the Department of Interior. This includes funding for important historic preservation programs like the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and National Heritage Areas.

In our testimony, Preservation Action thanked the Committee for their continued, strong support for the Historic Preservation Fund, including seven consecutive years of record funding for the HPF. For the upcoming fiscal year, Preservation Action recommended $200 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, including much-needed increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs/THPOs), especially as SHPOs and THPOs are expected to face an increased workload as the bipartisan infrastructure bill is implemented. Our request also included increases for key historic preservation grant programs like the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant program, Civil Right Movement grants and the History of Equal Rights grant program. This marks the same level of funding that preservationists advocated for during our National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in March. A full breakdown is below.

  • $65 million for State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs)
  • $34 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs)
  • $35 million for the Save America’s Treasures Grant Program
  • $24 million for African American Civil Rights Initiative Competitive Grants
  • $12 million for competitive grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
  • $12 million for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants
  • $10 million for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program
  • $5 million for the History of Equal Rights Competitive Grant Program
  • $3 million for Underrepresented Communities Grants

Total: $200 million

Preservation Action also recommended $32 million for the Preservation Partnership Program, which supports National Heritage Areas. Funding for NHAs has not kept pace with the number of NHAs and more support is needed. We also recommended $10.5 million for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The increase in funding will enhance the critical function of the agency in ensuring the nation's historic and cultural resources are protected, while advancing tribal consultations and finding efficiencies in federal reviews. 

National Park Service Accepting Applications for $4.625 Million in History of Equal Rights Grants
The National Park Service is currently accepting applications for $4.625 million in History of Equal Rights grants. Funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), this grant program helps preserve sites related to the struggle to achieve equal rights in America. These grants are not limited to any specific group and are intended to include the broadest possible interpretation of eligible sites. This marks the 3rd round of funding for the History of Equal Rights grant program, after being established by Congress in 2019.

Grants support planning and "bricks and mortar" preservation projects and are funded through a competitive grant process. Grants are open to states, tribes, local governments (including Certified Local Governments), and nonprofits. Applications are due September 14, 2022.

Preservation Action is urging lawmakers to support increased funding for this important grant programs in the FY23 appropriations process.
Minnesota's Historic Tax Credit Will Expire June 30 Without Legislative Action
Minnesota's Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program, which provides a 20% tax credit toward qualified rehabilitation expenses, is at risk of ending if the state legislature doesn't reconvene for a special session. The program will sunset on June 30th without legislative action. Legislation in the state House would extend the program for 8 years, while legislation in the state Senate would permanently extend the program. Both of these proposals enjoy broad bipartisan support, but are caught up in debate on a larger tax bill. Lawmakers failed to approve a larger tax bill, included an extension of Minnesota's HTC, before the end of the legislative session.

Since Minnesota's Historic Tax Credit was established in 2010, more than 130 historic buildings have been rehabilitated and the economic impact has been substantial. State HTC projects have generated $5 billion in economic activity, supported 20,000 jobs and produced $1.9 billion in labor income. The program returns $11.30 in economic activity for every $1 in tax credits.

Advocates across Minnesota are rallying together to urge their state officials to reconvene and renew this incredibly successful program. Check out our partners at RETHOS and RevitalizeMN to learn more and find out how you can take action!
National News
Stories From Around the States
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.