H.R. 7179

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7179 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7179

To amend chapter 3029 of title 54, United States Code, to establish the 
Historic Preservation Workforce Development Program.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 21, 2026

Mr. Hernandez (for himself and Mr. Soto) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend chapter 3029 of title 54, United States Code, to establish the 
Historic Preservation Workforce Development Program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Historic Infrastructure Management 
and Jobs Training Act''.

SEC. 2. HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

(a) Program.--Chapter 3029 of title 54, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 302911. Historic Preservation Workforce Development grants
``(a) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary shall establish a 
competitive grant program (referred to in this section as the 
`Program') to support workforce training, apprenticeships, and skilled 
trade development related to the preservation and conservation of 
historic properties and objects (including records) of historical, 
cultural, architectural, or archaeological significance related to such 
historic properties.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--In carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary may award grants to the following entities for eligible 
projects described in subsection (c):
``(1) States, territories, local governments, Indian 
tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
``(2) Public or nonprofit organizations with demonstrated 
experience in historic preservation.
``(3) Accredited educational institutions offering programs 
or training relevant to historic preservation or conservation 
fields.
``(c) Eligible Projects.--To be eligible for funding under the 
Program, a project carried out by an eligible entity under subsection 
(b) shall--
``(1) focus on historic properties or other cultural 
resources, including archaeological resources, that require 
specialized preservation skills due to age, materials, methods 
of construction, or historical significance;
``(2) establish or expand workforce education, training, or 
apprenticeship programs that teach specialized skills necessary 
to preserve, conserve, stabilize, document, or maintain such 
historic properties or cultural resources, including training 
related to--
``(A) historic masonry, timber framing, and 
structural systems;
``(B) decorative finishes, plaster, tile, 
ornamental woodwork, and metalwork;
``(C) conservation of archival, paper-based, or 
photographic materials; or
``(D) archaeological stabilization, documentation, 
and materials conservation; and
``(3) if the project involves a skilled trade (as defined 
under section 520.300 of title 29, Code of Federal 
Regulations)--
``(A) comply with the standards recognized by the 
Department of Labor, including coordination with or 
registration under the Office of Apprenticeship; and
``(B) be carried out consistent with applicable 
collective bargaining agreements.
``(d) Priority Considerations.--In awarding grants under the 
Program, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that--
``(1) serve areas with high unemployment rates relative to 
the national average; and
``(2) train or place workers in areas with limited existing 
preservation expertise, including rural or underserved 
communities.
``(e) Administration.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may adopt rules, guidance, 
or application procedures necessary to carry out this section, 
consistent with competitive grant authority under the Historic 
Preservation Fund.
``(2) Measurable outcomes.--Each eligible entity receiving 
a grant under the Program shall report to the Secretary 
measurable workforce outcomes, to be tracked by the Secretary, 
including--
``(A) the number of individuals participating in 
workforce training or apprenticeship programs; and
``(B) the number of individuals completing 
certifications or credentials in preservation-related 
skilled trades.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter 3029 
of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item 
relating to section 302910 the following:

``302911. Historic Preservation Workforce Development grants''.
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