S. 3524 — American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2025

This section modifies grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, which supports preservation, restoration, and interpretation of Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefields, as follows: (1) Battlefield acquisition grant program: reauthorizes through FY2035 (from FY2028). (2) Battlefield interpretation modernization grant program: increases the federal cost share to 75 percent (from 50 percent) of total project costs and strikes the prior authorization of $1 million annually for FY2020 through FY2028. (3) Battlefield restoration grant program: increases the federal cost share to 75 percent (from 50 percent) of total project costs and authorizes appropriations of $2 million annually through FY2035 for grants under both the battlefield interpretation modernization grant program and the battlefield restoration grant program.

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to prepare studies of sites and structures in the United States associated with nationally significant events of the French and Indian War (1754–1763) and the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). The studies must (1) identify relevant sites, (2) determine their relative significance, (3) assess short- and long-term threats to their integrity, and (4) recommend preservation and interpretation alternatives by federal, state, local, Tribal, or other entities (including potential designation as National Park System units); incorporate prior studies from the National Park Service, American Battlefield Trust, or others; involve consultations with affected governors, Tribes, local governments, preservation organizations, and interested parties; and be submitted to congressional committees in a report within two years after funds are made available.