“To amend chapter 3029 of title 54, United States Code, to establish the Historic Preservation Workforce Development Program.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a competitive grant program under the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF)—for workforce training, apprenticeships, and skilled trade development related to preserving and conserving historic properties and cultural resources (i.e., those of historical, cultural, architectural, or archaeological significance). The Secretary of the Interior may award grants to states, territories, local governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, experienced nonprofits, and accredited educational institutions for projects that (1) focus on resources requiring specialized skills; (2) create or expand training in areas such as historic masonry, timber framing, decorative finishes, archival conservation, or archaeological stabilization; and (3) for skilled trades, comply with Department of Labor standards and collective bargaining agreements. Grants prioritize high-unemployment areas and those lacking preservation expertise (e.g., rural or underserved communities), with grantees required to report measurable outcomes including training participants and certifications earned. (As background, the HPF provides federal matching grants to support state and local historic preservation efforts.)