As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session S. C. R. No. 22

2025-2026

Senator Brenner

Cosponsor: Senator DeMora

A c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N

To urge the United States Congress to oppose proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act has, since 1966, required federal agencies to take into account the effects of their actions on historic properties and places, enabled public participation and comment in the process, and empowered state, local, and tribal governments to have a voice in the process; and

WHEREAS, The Advisory Council of Historic Preservation has proposed changes to Section 106; and

WHEREAS, The proposed changes to Section 106 regulations could significantly reduce meaningful participation by State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, local governments, communities, and other consulting parties; limit consideration of indirect effects and impacts on historic properties and cultural landscapes; provide federal agencies with substantially greater discretion in making key identification, effects, and resolution decisions; and reduce opportunities for public engagement in the review process; and

WHEREAS, Ohio is home to countless places of historic and cultural significance, including more than 4,000 listings in the National Register of Historic Places across all 88 counties, 78 National Historic Landmarks, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks World Heritage Site, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, over 71,000 archaeological sites, and places of importance to Tribal Nations and communities throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, The Section 106 process requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and provides an opportunity for State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, local governments, communities, and members of the public to participate in identifying historic properties, evaluating effects, and developing solutions that allow projects to move forward while considering impacts to historic and cultural resources; and

WHEREAS, Over 600 public, private, and nonprofit organizations have signed an open letter to Congress calling for rejection of the proposed changes; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of both the state and the nation to preserve Ohio's rich cultural and historic heritage; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge members of Congress to protect America's heritage and reject the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to the news media of Ohio.