[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]