H.R. 7179

119 HR 7179 IH: Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-01-21
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 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7179  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   January 21, 2026   Mr. Hernández  (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.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act  .
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:
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
  .