Over the last several weeks, the 118th Congress has continued to organize; subcommittee leadership, party ratios, and committee assignments have mostly been finalized. This includes several committees that will play an important role for historic preservation in priorities in the new Congress. The House Appropriations Committee will be chaired by Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) with Rep. Rose DeLauro (D-CT) serving as Ranking Member. The Interior and Environment Subcommittee will be chaired by Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), with Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) serving as Ranking Member. On the Senate side, Sen. Patty Murry (D-WA) will take over the Senate Appropriations Committee with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) serving as Vice Chair. These committees will help determine funding levels for National Park Service programs, including the Historic Preservation Fund, which has seen significant increases in recent years.

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) won a three way race to lead the House Ways and Means Committee, while former Chair Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) will serve as Ranking Member. The Subcommittee on Tax will be chaired by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) will serve as Ranking Member. The Ways and Means Committee oversees tax policy, including community development incentives like the Historic Tax Credit (HTC). This will be important as advocates continue to push for long overdue updates and enhancements to the HTC. The Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy on the Senate side, will continue to be led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) serving as Vice Chair.

Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) will take over as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and former Chairman, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) will serve as Ranking Member. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands with Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) moving to Ranking Member. This committee considers legislation related to energy production, wildlife, public lands, Native Americans and National Parks. This largely includes legislation related to protection of historic resources. Legislation to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund, which is set to expire in September, will need to go through this committee. On the Senate side, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will continue to be led by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) serving as Vice Chair.

Outreach to your members of Congress will be critical in the coming weeks and months, especially if they serve on some of these key committees. Preservation Action will continue to monitor committee assignments.

Upcoming Webinar

If you are interested in learning more about these historic preservation advocacy efforts and others in the new Congress, be sure to tune-in to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's upcoming webinar, Historic Preservation Advocacy in the 118th Congress on Feb. 23rd at 3pm ET. Learn more and register today!

In January, the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched a new resource guide and data center for state historic tax credit programs. With now 37 states having a state historic tax credit and more states considering legislation to establish a new program or strengthen an existing program, this new tool aims to assist advocates and policy makers.

The resource guide offers an overview of state historic tax credit program benefits, elements of the top-performing credits, and a state by state comparative analysis of each program's key features. The data center allows you to compare specific features of program against other states to help determine the best incentive for your state.

Check out these new tools to assist your state advocacy today!

The National Park Service is currently accepting applications for $10 million in funding for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization sub-grant program. Funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, these grants support sub-grant programs that enable the rehabilitation of historic properties and rehabilitate, protect, and foster economic development of rural communities.

The program was established in 2018 and has supported projects across the country. The most recent round of funding supported the rehabilitation of historic theaters in rural communities across Idaho and historic revitalization projects in Alabama's black belt, just to name a few. 

Applications are due by Feb. 7th.

Preservation Action and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers are very excited to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week 2023! Advocacy Week will be held in-person, March 6-8th in Washington, D.C and feature trainings, policy briefings, networking opportunities, and of course in-person hill visits, providing the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and their staff directly. Be sure to register today! Registration closes on Feb. 20th.

We are so excited to be back in-person for Advocacy Week this year to bring our message of preservation-positive legislation directly to lawmakers. We need your voice! As a new Congress gets underway, there will be over 80 new members of Congress, making it critical that lawmakers hear from preservation advocates. We'll need your help as we push to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund and continue the growth the program has seen over the last several years. We'll also look to build on our success from the last Congress to advocate for long over due changes and enhancements to the Historic Tax Credit. Register today!

National Park Service: "National Park Investments in 2023 Will Improve Access and Facilities Across the Country, Enhance Climate and Fire Resilience, Further Connect People With Their National Parks"

New Jersey: "Applications for 2023 Historic Property Reinvestment Program. Competitive Program Helps Attract Long Term Investment While Preserving NJ's Historic Structures"

Mississippi: "Over $1.2 million in Mississippi Historic Site Preservation Grants Awarded"

Iowa: "Letter: Tax Credits Help Preserve Iowa's Historic Structures"

Vermont: "Over $300,000 in Grants Awarded to Rehabilitate Vermont Landmarks and Historic Buildings"