[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6691-H6693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ALABAMA BLACK BELT NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3222) to establish the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage 
Area, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3222

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Alabama Black Belt National 
     Heritage Area Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage 
     Area'' means the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area 
     established by section 3(a).
       (2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local 
     coordinating entity'' means the local coordinating entity for 
     the National Heritage Area.
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the management plan for the National Heritage Area prepared 
     under section 5(a).
       (4) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Alabama 
     Black Belt Proposed National Heritage Area'', numbered 258/
     177,272, and dated September 2021.

[[Page H6692]]

       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Alabama.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF ALABAMA BLACK BELT NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                   AREA.

       (a) In General.--There is established the Alabama Black 
     Belt National Heritage Area in the State of Alabama, to 
     consist of land in Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, 
     Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, 
     Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Washington, and 
     Wilcox counties in the State, as generally depicted on the 
     map.
       (b) Local Coordinating Entity.--The Center for the Study of 
     the Black Belt at the University of West Alabama shall serve 
     as the local coordinating entity for the National Heritage 
     Area.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Authorities.--For purposes of carrying out the 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area, the Secretary 
     acting through the local coordinating entity may use amounts 
     made available under this Act--
       (1) to make grants to the State or a political subdivision 
     of the State, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and 
     other persons;
       (2) to enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide 
     technical assistance to, the State or a political subdivision 
     of the State, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and 
     other interested parties;
       (3) to hire and compensate staff, which shall include 
     individuals with expertise in natural, cultural, and 
     historical resources protection and heritage programming;
       (4) to obtain money or services from any source, including 
     any money or services that are provided under any other 
     Federal law or program, provided that any money specifically 
     authorized for National Heritage areas shall be subject to a 
     50 percent cost-share requirement;
       (5) to contract for goods or services; and
       (6) to undertake or be a catalyst for any other activity 
     that furthers the purposes of the National Heritage Area and 
     is consistent with the approved management plan.
       (b) Duties.--The local coordinating entity for the National 
     Heritage Area shall--
       (1) in accordance with section 5, prepare and submit a 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area to the 
     Secretary;
       (2) assist Federal agencies, the State or a political 
     subdivision of the State, Indian Tribes, regional planning 
     organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other interested 
     parties in carrying out the approved management plan by--
       (A) carrying out programs and projects that recognize, 
     protect, and enhance important resource values in the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (B) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits and 
     programs in the National Heritage Area;
       (C) developing recreational, interpretive, and educational 
     opportunities in the National Heritage Area;
       (D) increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for, 
     natural, historical, scenic, and cultural resources of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (E) protecting and restoring historic sites and buildings 
     in the National Heritage Area that are consistent with the 
     themes of the National Heritage Area;
       (F) ensuring that clear, consistent, and appropriate signs 
     identifying points of public access and sites of interest are 
     posted throughout the National Heritage Area; and
       (G) promoting a wide range of partnerships among the 
     Federal Government, State, Tribal, and local governments, 
     organizations, and individuals to further the purposes of the 
     National Heritage Area;
       (3) consider the interests of diverse units of government, 
     businesses, organizations, and individuals in the National 
     Heritage Area in the preparation and implementation of the 
     management plan;
       (4) conduct meetings open to the public not less frequently 
     than semiannually regarding the development and 
     implementation of the management plan;
       (5) for any year that Federal funds have been received 
     under this Act--
       (A) submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes 
     the activities, expenses, and income of the local 
     coordinating entity (including grants to any other entities 
     during the year that the report is made);
       (B) make available to the Secretary for audit all records 
     relating to the expenditure of the funds and any matching 
     funds; and
       (C) encourage by appropriate means economic viability that 
     is consistent with the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Prohibition on the Acquisition of Real Property.--The 
     local coordinating entity shall not use Federal funds to 
     acquire real property or any interest in real property.

     SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the local coordinating entity of the 
     National Heritage Area shall submit to the Secretary for 
     approval a proposed management plan for the National Heritage 
     Area.
       (b) Requirements.--The management plan shall--
       (1) incorporate an integrated and cooperative approach for 
     the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the 
     natural, cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational 
     resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (2) take into consideration Federal, State, local, and 
     Tribal plans and treaty rights;
       (3) include--
       (A) an inventory of--
       (i) the resources located in the National Heritage Area; 
     and
       (ii) any other property in the National Heritage Area 
     that--

       (I) is related to the themes of the National Heritage Area; 
     and
       (II) should be preserved, restored, managed, or maintained 
     because of the significance of the property;

       (B) comprehensive policies, strategies, and recommendations 
     for the conservation, funding, management, and development of 
     the National Heritage Area;
       (C) a description of activities that the Federal 
     Government, State, Tribal, and local governments, private 
     organizations, and individuals have agreed to carry out to 
     protect the natural, historical, cultural, scenic, and 
     recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
       (D) a program of implementation for the management plan by 
     the local coordinating entity that includes a description 
     of--
       (i) actions to facilitate ongoing collaboration among 
     partners to promote plans for resource protection, 
     restoration, and construction; and
       (ii) specific commitments for implementation that have been 
     made by the local coordinating entity or any unit of 
     government, organization, or individual for the first 5 years 
     of operation;
       (E) the identification of sources of funding for carrying 
     out the management plan;
       (F) analysis and recommendations for means by which 
     Federal, State, local, and Tribal programs, including the 
     role of the National Park Service in the National Heritage 
     Area, may best be coordinated to carry out this Act; and
       (G) an interpretive plan for the National Heritage Area; 
     and
       (4) recommend policies and strategies for resource 
     management that consider and detail the application of 
     appropriate land and water management techniques, including 
     the development of intergovernmental and interagency 
     cooperative agreements to protect the natural, historical, 
     cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of 
     the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Deadline.--If a proposed management plan is not 
     submitted to the Secretary by the date that is 3 years after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the local coordinating 
     entity shall be ineligible to receive additional funding 
     under this Act until the date on which the Secretary approves 
     the management plan.
       (d) Approval or Disapproval of Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     receipt of the management plan under this section, the 
     Secretary, in consultation with State and Tribal governments, 
     shall approve or disapprove the management plan.
       (2) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to 
     approve the management plan, the Secretary shall consider 
     whether--
       (A) the local coordinating entity is representative of the 
     diverse interests of the National Heritage Area, including 
     the Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, natural 
     and historic resource protection organizations, educational 
     institutions, businesses, and recreational organizations;
       (B) the local coordinating entity has afforded adequate 
     opportunity, including public hearings, for public and 
     governmental involvement in the preparation of the management 
     plan; and
       (C) the resource protection and interpretation strategies 
     contained in the management plan, if implemented, would 
     adequately protect the natural, historical, and cultural 
     resources of the National Heritage Area.
       (3) Action following disapproval.--If the Secretary 
     disapproves the management plan under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall--
       (A) advise the local coordinating entity in writing the 
     reasons for the disapproval;
       (B) make recommendations for revisions to the management 
     plan; and
       (C) not later than 180 days after the receipt of any 
     proposed revision of the management plan from the local 
     coordinating entity, approve or disapprove the proposed 
     revision.
       (4) Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall approve or disapprove 
     each amendment to the management plan that the Secretary 
     determines make a substantial change to the management plan.
       (B) Use of funds.--The local coordinating entity shall not 
     use Federal funds to carry out any amendment to the 
     management plan until the date on which the Secretary has 
     approved the amendment.

     SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority 
     of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial 
     assistance under any other law.
       (b) Consultation and Coordination.--The head of any Federal 
     agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact 
     on the National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and 
     coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local 
     coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
       (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
       (1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulations 
     authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the 
     jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
       (2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to 
     implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of 
     the National Heritage Area; or
       (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of 
     Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

     SEC. 7. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

       Nothing in this Act--
       (1) abridges the rights of any property owner (whether 
     public or private), including the right to refrain from 
     participating in any plan, project, program, or activity 
     conducted within the National Heritage Area;
       (2) requires any property owner--

[[Page H6693]]

       (A) to permit public access (including access by Federal, 
     State, or local agencies) to the property of the property 
     owner; or
       (B) to modify public access or use of property of the 
     property owner under any other Federal, State, or local law;
       (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved 
     land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal, 
     State, Tribal, or local agency;
       (4) conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to 
     the local coordinating entity;
       (5) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation 
     of water or water rights;
       (6) enlarges or diminishes the treaty rights of any Indian 
     Tribe within the National Heritage Area;
       (7) diminishes--
       (A) the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife, 
     including the regulation of fishing and hunting, within the 
     National Heritage Area; or
       (B) the authority of Indian Tribes to regulate members of 
     Indian Tribes with respect to fishing, hunting, and gathering 
     in the exercise of treaty rights; or
       (8) creates any liability, or affects any liability under 
     any other law, of any private property owner with respect to 
     any person injured on the private property.

     SEC. 8. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

       (a) In General.--For the National Heritage Area, not later 
     than 3 years before the date specified under section 9, the 
     Secretary shall--
       (1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the 
     National Heritage Area; and
       (2) prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
       (b) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under subsection 
     (a)(1) shall--
       (1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity 
     with respect to--
       (A) accomplishing the purposes of the National Heritage 
     Area; and
       (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved 
     management plan for the National Heritage Area;
       (2) analyze the investments of the Federal Government, 
     State, Tribal, and local governments, and private entities in 
     the National Heritage Area to determine the impact of the 
     investments; and
       (3) review the management structure, partnership 
     relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for 
     purposes of identifying the critical components for 
     sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
       (c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives a report that includes recommendations for 
     the future role of the National Park Service, if any, with 
     respect to the National Heritage Area.

     SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

       The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under 
     this Act terminates on the date that is 15 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. 
Herrell) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3222, the Alabama Black 
Belt National Heritage Area Act.
  This bill would establish the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage 
Area, consisting of land in 19 counties in the State of Alabama, 
including Montgomery County, as a national heritage area.
  The region's identity is rooted in its cultural geography and 
historical development. During the mid-1900s, Alabama's Black Belt area 
gave rise to the civil rights movement emerging in the South.
  Montgomery County witnessed the bus boycotts in the 1950s. Dallas, 
Lowndes, and Montgomery Counties also gave way for the famous march for 
equal rights from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, led by the Reverend 
Martin Luther King, Jr.
  National heritage areas leverage private funding for long-term 
projects that have substantial economic and environmental benefits. The 
protection, conservation, and restoration of Alabama's Black Belt area, 
in partnership with the National Park Service, will ensure that the 
powerful history of this area is preserved for posterity. These are 
stories that need to be told.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Sewell, for introducing this 
important legislation and championing this bill on behalf of her 
constituents.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3222, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3222, a bipartisan bill 
sponsored by Representative Sewell of Alabama.
  This bill establishes the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area, 
comprised of land in 19 Alabama counties, and designates the Center for 
the Study of the Black Belt at the University of West Alabama as the 
management entity.
  The Black Belt region of Alabama stretches across the lower central 
portion of Alabama, from the eastern border of Mississippi to the 
western border of southern Georgia. The region is recognized by many as 
the center of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
  Several pivotal events in the civil rights movement took place in the 
region, including the Montgomery bus boycott and the march from Selma 
to Montgomery, which helped lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 
the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  The Black Belt region is a special area of our country that deserves 
national recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I too, urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' 
on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3222, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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