H.R. 4268: Remembering Our Local Heroes Act

This bill, titled the Remembering Our Local Heroes Act, proposes the establishment of a grant program by the Secretary of the Interior to fund the construction, restoration, renovation, and maintenance of memorials that honor veterans, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. Here are the key components of the bill:

Grant Program for Memorials

Within six months of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of the Interior is required to set up this grant program. The funding is intended to support various types of covered memorials.

Eligible Entities

The following entities are eligible to apply for the grants:

• Units of local government: These may include cities, counties, municipalities, or any local governmental body.
• Nonprofit organizations: These organizations must also meet the application requirements set by the Secretary.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must submit an application detailing the project and demonstrating community support and the significance of the individuals or groups the memorial honors.

Grant Funding Details

Grants awarded under this program are limited to:

• A maximum of one grant per year to each unit of local government or nonprofit organization.
• No grant can exceed $100,000.

Applicants must provide non-Federal matching funds that are at least 50% of the grant amount. This can include in-kind contributions.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes a total of $2 million for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 to finance the grant program.

Definitions

The bill specifies that a "covered memorial" refers to structures such as statues, monuments, or plaques that are:

• Owned or managed by a local government or nonprofit organization.
• Designed to honor individuals or groups, both living and deceased, who:
• Are veterans who served on or after April 6, 1917,
• Were active duty service members killed in action after April 6, 1917,
• Have served as law enforcement officers, or
• Have served as firefighters.

Exclusions

The term "covered memorial" does not include items located indoors or within structures primarily used for other purposes.

Implementation Timeline

The bill mandates the Secretary to implement this program within six months after it becomes law.

Relevant Companies

None found.