A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act or the Shenandoah VALOR Act. It expands the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to include parts of West Virginia and additional areas in Virginia. The legislation sets rules for how the district is managed using a partnership model and makes sure it is not subject to standard National Heritage Area System funding formulas. It authorizes specific funding amounts starting in fiscal year 2027 for management, operations, maintenance, grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition. Finally, it requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report to Congress within two years on how to replicate this partnership model elsewhere.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill authorizes funds for the operation, maintenance, and land acquisition of historic battlefield parks and visitor facilities using a partnership model.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The legislation expands the historic district into specific counties in Virginia and West Virginia and provides funding for regional heritage and preservation projects.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The boundary expansion brings recognition and grant funding opportunities to newly included rural counties in Virginia and West Virginia.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes new federal appropriations of over one million dollars annually plus additional grant funding starting in fiscal year 2027.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The legislation creates ongoing and multi-year federal spending commitments for the management entity and land acquisitions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Boundary Expansion and Regional Inclusion: Section 2(b) expands the district into Rockbridge County, Virginia, as well as Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties in West Virginia. This may benefit individuals and groups in these newly included areas by recognizing their local historic sites and integrating them into the national historic district.
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Guaranteed Funding and Grant Eligibility: Section 2(c)(4) ensures that the district and its management entity continue to receive at least the same level of funding for management and administration as they did in fiscal year 2027 and beyond, while remaining eligible for technical assistance and grants available to National Heritage Areas. This provides financial stability for regional projects and support.
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Authorized Appropriations for Operations and Land Acquisition: Section 2(d) authorizes $1,250,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2027 for the management entity and for operating and maintaining battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and historic properties. It also authorizes $2,500,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for grants, technical assistance, and acquiring land from willing sellers, which can directly support local preservation and community resources.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Federal Spending Commitments: Section 2(d) authorizes significant federal appropriations, including $1,250,000 every fiscal year starting in 2027 and an additional $2,500,000 annually from 2027 through 2033. Taxpayers could view these ongoing financial commitments as a negative burden on the federal budget.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill authorizes funds for the operation, maintenance, and land acquisition of historic battlefield parks and visitor facilities using a partnership model. Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation expands the historic district into specific counties in Virginia and West Virginia and provides funding for regional heritage and preservation projects.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires a detailed report and recommendations from the Secretary of the Interior to Congress within two years. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report on replicating the partnership model and authorizes specific federal appropriations.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The boundary expansion brings recognition and grant funding opportunities to newly included rural counties in Virginia and West Virginia.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The legislation creates ongoing and multi-year federal spending commitments for the management entity and land acquisitions. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes new federal appropriations of over one million dollars annually plus additional grant funding starting in fiscal year 2027.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Ben ClineRepublican · Virginia
H. GriffithRepublican · Virginia
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Carol MillerRepublican · West Virginia
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
John McGuireRepublican · Virginia
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia