[House Report 116-643]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress   }                                      {    Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
    2d Session   }                                      {    116-643

======================================================================



 
        JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK REDESIGNATION ACT

                                _______
                                

 December 14, 2020.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Grijalva, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 5472]

    The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 5472) to redesignate the Jimmy Carter National 
Historic Site as the ``Jimmy Carter National Historical Park'', 
having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without 
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.

                          Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of H.R. 5472 is to redesignate the Jimmy Carter 
National Historic Site as the ``Jimmy Carter National 
Historical Park.''

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Preservation 
District in Plains, Georgia, was established by Congress in 
1987 to protect and provide for the interpretation of key sites 
and structures associated with President Jimmy Carter.\1\ The 
National Historic Site consists of President Carter's childhood 
home; Plains High School, which is now used as a visitor center 
and headquarters for the historic site; the Carter compound, 
where President and Mrs. Carter have resided since 1981; and 
the Plains railroad depot, which was used as a headquarters for 
Carter's presidential campaign.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ Pub. L. No. 100-206.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    H.R. 5472 redesignates the Jimmy Carter National Historic 
Site as the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park to conform 
with the National Park Service's standard pattern of 
nomenclature and to help promote increased visitation to the 
site. As the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site has resources 
at several sites in and around the town of Plains, designating 
the area as a national historical park is a more appropriate 
title than a national historic site.

                            Committee Action

    H.R. 5472 was introduced on December 18, 2019, by 
Representative Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-GA). The bill was 
referred solely to the Committee on Natural Resources, and 
within the Committee to the Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Forests, and Public Lands. On July 13, 2020, the Subcommittee 
held a hearing on the bill. On September 30, 2020, the Natural 
Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee 
was discharged by unanimous consent. No amendments were 
offered. The bill was adopted and ordered favorably reported to 
the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

                                Hearings

    For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 
116th Congress--the following hearing was used to develop or 
consider H.R. 5472: legislative hearing by the Subcommittee on 
National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held on July 13, 
2020.

            Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

      Compliance With House Rule XIII and Congressional Budget Act

    1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. 
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 
of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) 
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to 
requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested 
but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the 
Director of Congressional Budget Office. The Committee adopts 
as its own cost estimate the forthcoming cost estimate of the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, should such cost 
estimate be made available before House passage of the bill.
    The Committee has requested but not received from the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to 
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.
    2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goals and 
objectives of this bill are to redesignate the Jimmy Carter 
National Historic Site as the ``Jimmy Carter National 
Historical Park.''

                           Earmark Statement

    This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives.

                 Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Statement

    An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the 
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of 
the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the 
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.

                           Existing Programs

    This bill does not establish or reauthorize a program of 
the federal government known to be duplicative of another 
program.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
    Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law
    Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or 
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's 
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the 
U.S. Constitution.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                        ACT OF DECEMBER 23, 1987



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

  (a) Establishment.--In order to provide for the benefit, 
inspiration, and education of the American people, there is 
hereby established the Jimmy Carter National [Historic Site] 
Historical Park in the State of Georgia. In administering the 
[historic site] historical park, the Secretary shall--
          (1) preserve the key sites and structures located 
        within the [historic site] historical park associated 
        with Jimmy Carter during his lifespan;
          (2) provide for the interpretation of the life and 
        Presidency of Jimmy Carter; and
          (3) present the history of a small rural southern 
        town.
  (b) Description of Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.--(1) 
The [historic site] historical park shall consist of the lands 
and interests in lands (including the real property described 
in paragraph (2)) as generally depicted on the map entitled 
``Jimmy Carter National [Historic Site] Historical Park and 
Preservation District Boundary Map'', numbered NHS-JC-80000, 
and dated April 1987. The map shall be on file and available 
for public inspection at appropriate offices of the National 
Park Service.
  (2) The real property referred to in paragraph (1) is that 
real property which has significant historical association with 
the life of James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the 
United States, located in the town of Plains and the County of 
Sumter, Georgia, and described more particularly as follows--
          (A) the home of former President Carter on Woodland 
        Drive in Plains, Georgia, including the residence and 
        approximately 2.9 acres across Woodland Drive;
          (B) the Plains Railroad Depot, adjacent to the 
        Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, which served as the 
        campaign headquarters of former President Carter;
          (C) the boyhood home of former President Carter, 
        consisting of the residence, together with not more 
        than 15 acres, located west of Plains near the 
        community of Archery, Georgia;
          (D) the 100-foot wide scenic easements on either side 
        of Old Plains Highway from the intersection of U.S. 
        Highway 280 to the boyhood home referred to in 
        subparagraph (C);
          (E) the Plains High School and grounds of 
        approximately 12 acres; and
          (F) the Gnann House at 1 Woodland Drive, which is 
        adjacent to the residence referred to in subparagraph 
        (A) of former President Carter.
  (c) Acquisition of Real and Personal Property.--(1) Except as 
otherwise provided in this subsection and subject to such 
terms, reservations, and conditions as the Secretary determines 
reasonable or necessary, the Secretary may acquire by donation, 
purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or 
otherwise--
          (A) lands and interests in lands within the 
        boundaries of the [historic site] historical park; and
          (B) personal property and artifacts for purposes of 
        the [historic site] historical park.
  (2) The Carter home (described in subsection (b)(2)(A)) and 
the Plains High School (referred to in subsection (b)(2)(E)) 
may only be acquired by donation.
  (3) Former President and Mrs. Carter may, as a condition of 
the acquisition of the Carter home (described in subsection 
(b)(2)(A)), reserve for themselves a right of use and occupancy 
of the home for a term of years or for a term ending at the 
deaths of President and Mrs. Carter.
  (4) The Administrator of the General Services Administration 
shall acquire by purchase the Gnann House (described in 
subsection (b)(2)(F)) to be used for security purposes during 
the lives of former President and Mrs. Carter, or for such 
period as they may be entitled to security pursuant to Federal 
law, after which time the Gnann House shall be transferred to 
the Secretary of the Interior for administrative purposes by 
the National Park Service.

SEC. 2. JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL PRESERVATION DISTRICT.

  (a) Jimmy Carter National Preservation District.--In order to 
preserve and interpret the life of James Earl Carter, Jr. and 
the rural southern town of Plains, Georgia, including the 20th 
century south and the roles of agriculture and the agricultural 
economy there is hereby established the Jimmy Carter National 
Preservation District, which shall consist of the area 
identified on the map referred to in section 1(b)(1) as 
``Preservation District''. The preservation district shall 
include the Plains Historic District as listed in the National 
Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1984, and those 
agricultural lands not to exceed 650 acres and that portion of 
Bond Street as depicted on such map.
  (b) Preservation Easements.--(1) The Secretary may obtain by 
donation or purchase preservation easements on historically or 
culturally significant (as determined by the Secretary) 
buildings and open spaces located within the preservation 
district. Each preservation easement shall contain (but need 
not be limited to) provisions that the Secretary shall have the 
right of access at reasonable times to the portions of the 
property covered by that easement for interpretive or other 
purposes, and that no changes or alterations shall be made to 
such portions of the property except by mutual agreement.
  (2) The Secretary may mark, interpret, and provide technical 
assistance to properties within the preservation district in 
accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for 
Historic Preservation Projects.

SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION OF HISTORIC SITE AND PRESERVATION DISTRICT.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the [historic 
site] historical park and the preservation district in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the [provisions 
of law generally applicable to national historic sites] 
provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National 
Park System, including the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a 
National Park Service, and for other purposes'', approved Au-
gust 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4), and the Act entitled ``An Act 
to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, 
buildings, objects and antiquities of national significance, 
and for other purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 
461 et seq.).
  (b) Cooperation With State of Georgia.--The Secretary may 
enter into a cooperative agreement with the State of Georgia 
pursuant to which the Secretary may cooperate in the operation 
and use of the State of Georgia Visitor Center in Sumter 
County.
  (c) History.--The Secretary shall gather oral history on the 
[historic site] historical park, its occupants, and environs. 
The Secretary may also preserve personal property that has been 
acquired by the Secretary for purposes of the [historic site] 
historical park.
  (d) Report.--25 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall convene a distinguished group of 
nationally recognized historians, scholars, and other experts 
to examine the life of President Carter in greater historical 
perspective. The group shall examine the research then 
available on President Carter, his life and Presidency, and 
make recommendations on interpretation, preservation, and other 
issues (as appropriate) at the Jimmy Carter [National Historic 
Site] National Historical Park and the Jimmy Carter National 
Preservation District.

SEC. 4. ADVISORY COMMISSION.

  (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory 
commission to provide advice on achieving balanced and accurate 
interpretation of the [historic site] historical park.
  (b) Membership.--(1) The commission shall consist of a group 
of five nationally recognized scholars with collective 
expertise on the life and Presidency of Jimmy Carter, the 20th 
century rural south, historic preservation, and the American 
Presidency.
  (2) The commission members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary for staggered terms of 3 years each. Any vacancy on 
the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the 
original appointment was made. Any member of the Commission 
appointed for a definite term may serve after the expiration of 
such term until a successor is appointed.
  (3) Meetings of the Commission shall be called twice annually 
by the Secretary.
  (c) Expenses.--The Secretary is authorized to pay, in 
accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 
the expenses reasonably incurred by the members of the 
Commission in carrying out their responsibilities under this 
Act.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

   Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Congress a 
general management plan for the use and development of the 
[historic site] historical park and the preservation district. 
Such plan shall--
          (1) be prepared in accordance with section 12(b) of 
        the Act entitled ``An Act to improve the administration 
        of the national park system by the Secretary, and to 
        clarify the authorities applicable to the system, and 
        for other purposes'', approved August 18, 1970 (16 
        U.S.C. 1a-1 et seq.), and shall be consistent with the 
        purposes of this Act;
          (2) include consideration of the economic feasibility 
        and interpretive necessity of providing a 
        transportation system for visitor use; and
          (3) address the preservation and interpretation of 
        Plains High School (referred to in section 1(b)(2)(E)) 
        including appropriate use by the town of Plains.
Following a determination of the appropriate uses of the Plains 
High School for the town of Plains, the Secretary may enter 
into a cooperative agreement with the town concerning its use 
of the high school.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

   For the purposes of this Act--
          (1) the term ``preservation district'' means the 
        Jimmy Carter National Preservation District established 
        under section 2;
          (2) the term ``[historic site] historical park'' 
        means the Jimmy Carter [National Historic Site] 
        National Historical Park established under section 1; 
        and
          (3) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
        Interior.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated such 
sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, except that not 
more than $3,500,000 is authorized to be appropriated for 
acquisition of real and personal property (including 
preservation easements) and development of the preservation 
district and the [historic site] historical park.
  (b) Cost Sharing.--Not more than 60 percent of the aggregate 
cost of restoring the Plains High School (referred to in 
section 1(b)(2)(E)) may be provided from appropriated Federal 
funds. The remaining 40 percent, non-Federal share of such cost 
may be in the form of cash, goods, or services, fairly valued.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


        Supplemental, Minority, Additional, Or Dissenting Views

    None.

                                  [all]