Federal

Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act

Source: Congress.gov · 466 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill changes the name of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts to the "Salem Maritime National Historical Park." It also requires the Secretary of the Interior to study whether additional sites in Salem connected to maritime history, coastal defenses, or military history should be added to the park.

Who It Affects

The Secretary of the Interior is directly affected. The study may eventually impact Salem, Massachusetts residents and the National Park System if new sites are added.

Key Provisions

• The Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts is renamed the "Salem Maritime National Historical Park" (Sec. 2(a)) • All references to the old name in government laws, maps, regulations, documents and records automatically become references to the new name (Sec. 2(b)) • The Secretary of the Interior must conduct a boundary study to evaluate whether sites in Salem connected to maritime history, coastal defenses, or military history (including National Guard and militia activity) should be added to the park (Sec. 3(b)) • The study area includes the city of Salem and nearby areas, specifically including the Salem Armory Visitor Center building and Salem Armory Park (Sec. 3(a)(2)) • The Secretary must submit a report with study results and recommendations to Congress within 3 years of when funding becomes available (Sec. 3(c))

What Changes

The official name changes from "Salem Maritime National Historic Site" to "Salem Maritime National Historical Park." All government documents referring to the old name now refer to the new name automatically.

Important Definitions

The bill defines "Secretary" as the Secretary of the Interior. The bill defines "study area" as the city of Salem, Massachusetts and its vicinity, including specifically the Salem Armory Visitor Center building and Salem Armory Park.

118TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. 961 AN ACT To redesignate the Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts, as the ‘‘Salem Maritime Na- tional Historical Park’’, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 2 † S 961 ES SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Salem Maritime Na- 2 tional Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study 3 Act’’. 4 SEC. 2. SALEM MARITIME NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 5 (a) REDESIGNATION.—The Salem Maritime National 6 Historic Site in Salem, Massachusetts, shall be known and 7 designated as the ‘‘Salem Maritime National Historical 8 Park’’. 9 (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, map, reg- 10 ulation, document, paper, or other record of the United 11 States to the national historic site referred to in subsection 12 (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Salem Mari- 13 time National Historical Park’’. 14 SEC. 3. BOUNDARY STUDY. 15 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 16 (1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 17 the Secretary of the Interior. 18 (2) STUDY AREA.— 19 (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 20 means the city of Salem, Massachusetts, and 21 the vicinity of that city. 22 (B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 23 includes— 24 (i) the Salem Armory Visitor Center 25 building; and 26 3 † S 961 ES (ii) the park located adjacent to that 1 building, known as ‘‘Salem Armory Park’’. 2 (b) STUDY.—The Secretary shall conduct a boundary 3 study to evaluate the suitability and feasibility of including 4 in the National Park System, as part of the Salem Mari- 5 time National Historical Park (as redesignated by section 6 2(a)), any sites and resources located in the study area 7 that are associated with— 8 (1) the maritime history of the study area; 9 (2) coastal defenses of the study area; or 10 (3) military history of the study area, including 11 National Guard and militia activity. 12 (c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 13 on which funds are initially made available to conduct the 14 study under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to 15 the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 16 Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 17 House of Representatives a report describing— 18 (1) the results of the study; and 19 4 † S 961 ES (2) any findings, conclusions, and recommenda- 1 tions of the Secretary. 2 Passed the Senate December 18 (legislative day, De- cember 16), 2024. Attest: Secretary. 118TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. 961 AN ACT To redesignate the Salem Maritime National His- toric Site in Salem, Massachusetts, as the ‘‘Salem Maritime National Historical Park’’, and for other purposes.

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.