Overview
Title
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of including Saratoga and Washington Counties in the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
ELI5 AI
The bill asks a government leader to check if two places in New York, Saratoga and Washington Counties, can be added to a big special area with lots of history called the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. They will talk to local people and groups to decide if this is a good idea and how it can be done.
Summary AI
H. R. 2895 proposes directing the Secretary of the Interior to examine if it is suitable and feasible to include Saratoga and Washington Counties as part of the existing Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. This involves collaborating with New York State and local officials and organizations to conduct the study in line with U.S. Code regulations.
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AnalysisAI
The bill H. R. 2895, introduced in the House of Representatives, tasks the Secretary of the Interior with studying whether Saratoga and Washington Counties in New York should be included in the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. This action is meant to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating these counties as part of the already established Heritage Area.
General Summary
The proposed legislation, named the “Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act,” aims to expand the scope of the National Heritage Area by potentially including two additional counties. If passed, the Secretary of the Interior will collaborate with various state and local stakeholders—such as historic preservation officers, historical societies, and tourism offices—to determine if includings these counties offers benefits and is practical.
Significant Issues
Several notable issues arise from the bill. Firstly, there is no mention of the budget or funding allocated for conducting this study, which might lead to inefficient use of public resources. Secondly, the bill lacks a defined timeline for completing the study, which could lead to delays. Additionally, while the bill refers to consulting with "appropriate organizations and governmental agencies," it does not specify which entities are involved, which may lead to ambiguity. Lastly, the language presumes some pre-existing knowledge of the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and related legislative acts, potentially causing confusion for those unfamiliar with these terms and histories.
Broad Public Impact
This legislation could have several broad implications for the public. If the study supports including these counties in the Heritage Area, it could lead to increased conservation efforts, enhanced cultural recognition, and potentially more funding for local projects. This might result in greater tourism, which could economically benefit the communities within Saratoga and Washington Counties. However, the lack of budgetary constraints and timeframes could mean that public funds are not managed as efficiently as possible, which may concern taxpayers.
Impact on Stakeholders
Several stakeholders could be directly affected by this proposal. Residents of Saratoga and Washington Counties could see positive impacts through potentially increased tourism, preservation of local landmarks, and promotion of local history and culture. State and local historic preservation offices and societies might find opportunities for extended collaboration and funding, enhancing their heritage conservation efforts. Conversely, the delay of the study's completion could result in prolonged uncertainty for these stakeholders, affecting planning and resource allocation.
Overall, while the bill aims to expand recognition and preservation of historical areas, proper attention must be paid to defining the logistics, time management, and specific collaboration required to ensure an efficient and beneficial study outcome.
Issues
Section 2: The section lacks details on the estimated cost or budget for carrying out the study, which could lead to potential wasteful spending. This is a significant concern as it involves financial resource planning and public funds management.
Section 2: There is no specified timeline or deadline for when the study should be completed, which could result in indefinite delays. This is important to ensure accountability and timely progress on the study.
Section 2: The definition clause regarding consultation assumes familiarity with the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Act of 1996, which may not be clear to all readers and could require additional explanation or references.
Section 2: The text might benefit from specifying which types of 'appropriate organizations and governmental agencies' will be consulted beyond those mentioned to avoid ambiguity and ensure comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act specifies that it is named the “Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act.”
2. Hudson River Valley NHA study Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section of the bill, the term "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Interior, and the "State" refers to New York. The "study area" includes Saratoga and Washington Counties in New York. The Secretary is tasked with conducting a study, in cooperation with state and local organizations, to evaluate if these areas should be included in the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.