S. 3878

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3878 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3878

To establish the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson 
College as affiliated areas of the National Park System, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 12, 2026

Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson 
College as affiliated areas of the National Park System, and for other 
purposes.

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

SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GRAND VILLAGE OF THE NATCHEZ INDIANS 
AND JEFFERSON COLLEGE AS AFFILIATED AREAS OF THE NATIONAL 
PARK SYSTEM.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affiliated area.--The term ``affiliated area'' means--
(A) the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in 
Natchez, Mississippi, established as an affiliated area 
of the National Park System by subsection (b)(1); and
(B) Historic Jefferson College in Natchez, 
Mississippi, established as an affiliated area of the 
National Park System under subsection (b)(2).
(2) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
means the management entity for the affiliated areas designated 
by subsection (d).
(3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
``Affiliated Areas, Adams County, Mississippi Proposed 
Boundaries'', numbered 964/194,653, and dated August 2024.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of the Interior.
(b) Establishment.--
(1) Grand village of the natchez indians.--To promote 
public appreciation of the significant historic contributions 
of the Natchez Indians, the Grand Village of the Natchez 
Indians in Natchez, Mississippi, as generally depicted on the 
Map, is established as an affiliated area of the National Park 
System.
(2) Historic jefferson college.--On the date on which the 
Secretary determines that Historic Jefferson College in 
Natchez, Mississippi, as generally depicted on the Map, meets 
National Park Service criteria for designation as an affiliated 
area, Historic Jefferson College, shall be established as an 
affiliated area of the National Park System.
(3) Map.--
(A) In general.--As soon as practicable after the 
establishment of an affiliated area in accordance with 
this section, the Secretary shall prepare a map 
depicting the boundaries of the applicable affiliated 
area.
(B) Availability.--The map prepared under 
subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for 
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
National Park Service.
(c) Administration.--The affiliated areas shall be managed in a 
manner consistent with--
(1) this section; and
(2) the laws generally applicable to units of the National 
Park System.
(d) Management Entity.--The Mississippi Department of Archives and 
History shall be the management entity for the affiliated areas.
(e) Agreements.--The Secretary--
(1) may provide technical assistance to, and enter into 
cooperative agreements with, the management entity for the 
purpose of providing financial assistance for the marketing, 
marking, interpretation, and preservation of the affiliated 
areas; and
(2) shall enter into an agreement with the management 
entity that delineates the roles and responsibilities for the 
management of the affiliated areas consistent with the policies 
and standards that apply to units of the National Park System.
(f) Limited Role of the Secretary.--Nothing in this section 
authorizes the Secretary--
(1) to acquire property at the affiliated areas; or
(2) to assume financial responsibility for the operation, 
maintenance, or management of the affiliated areas.
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