Us Congress House Bill HB2448

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/25
• Refer: 3/27/25

Caption

To direct the Secretary of Interior to submit to Congress a report on the National Park Service's interpretation and application of the Standards for Rehabilitation for use of the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program.

Impact

The proposed bill requires the report to include historical data on program applications over the past decade. This data will cover processing times, number of denied or approved applications, and conditions that may hinder the approval process. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for establishing recommendations to improve the existing Standards, ensuring that they not only preserve historical integrity but also support modern housing needs and sustainability initiatives.

Details

The bill specifies that the report should address various factors including barriers in interpretation of the Standards, steps taken by the National Park Service to clarify such interpretations, and input from users of the program. This comprehensive approach aims to streamline the process while acknowledging the historical and cultural significance of the structures involved. Additionally, the Secretary is instructed to consider economic feasibility and climate risks, making it a forward-thinking proposal in historical preservation.

Summary

House Bill 2448 is aimed at enhancing the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program by directing the Secretary of the Interior to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding the National Park Service’s interpretation and application of the Standards for Rehabilitation. This report is crucial for understanding how these standards are currently implemented and how they can be improved to facilitate the development of affordable housing while still protecting historic properties.

Contention

There are potential points of contention regarding how the Standards for Rehabilitation balance between safeguarding historical properties and promoting their adaptation for contemporary needs, such as affordable housing. Stakeholders may express differing opinions on the necessity of modifications to the standards, particularly regarding how they affect housing developers and the preservationist community. Furthermore, the bill raises questions of prioritization: balancing the immediate needs for housing against the long-term goals of heritage conservation.