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S.3878

A bill to establish the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College as affiliated areas of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Introduced·2/12/26
Introduced

S. 3878

Introduced in Senate · February 24, 2026

February 12, 2026

Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To establish the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College as affiliated areas of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College as affiliated areas of the National Park System.

  1. (a) Definitions.—In this section:

affiliated area.— (1) AFFILIATED AREA.—The term “affiliated area” means—

  1. (A) the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in Natchez, Mississippi, established as an affiliated area of the National Park System by subsection (b)(1); and
  2. (B) Historic Jefferson College in Natchez, Mississippi, established as an affiliated area of the National Park System under subsection (b)(2).

management entity.— (2) MANAGEMENT ENTITY.—The term “management entity” means the management entity for the affiliated areas designated by subsection (d).

Map.— (3) MAP.—The term “Map” means the map entitled “Affiliated Areas, Adams County, Mississippi Proposed Boundaries”, numbered 964/194,653, and dated August 2024.

Secretary.— (4) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

  1. (b) Establishment.—
  1. (1) GRAND VILLAGE OF THE NATCHEZ INDIANS.—To promote public appreciation of the significant historic contributions of the Natchez Indians, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in Natchez, Mississippi, as generally depicted on the Map, is established as an affiliated area of the National Park System.
  2. (2) HISTORIC JEFFERSON COLLEGE.—On the date on which the Secretary determines that Historic Jefferson College in Natchez, Mississippi, as generally depicted on the Map, meets National Park Service criteria for designation as an affiliated area, Historic Jefferson College, shall be established as an affiliated area of the National Park System.
  3. (3) MAP.—
    1. (A) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the establishment of an affiliated area in accordance with this section, the Secretary shall prepare a map depicting the boundaries of the applicable affiliated area.
    2. (B) AVAILABILITY.—The map prepared under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
      1. (c) Administration.—The affiliated areas shall be managed in a manner consistent with—
  4. (1) this section; and
  5. (2) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
    1. (d) Management entity.—The Mississippi Department of Archives and History shall be the management entity for the affiliated areas.
    2. (e) Agreements.—The Secretary—
  6. (1) may provide technical assistance to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the management entity for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the marketing, marking, interpretation, and preservation of the affiliated areas; and
  7. (2) shall enter into an agreement with the management entity that delineates the roles and responsibilities for the management of the affiliated areas consistent with the policies and standards that apply to units of the National Park System.
    1. (f) Limited role of the secretary.—Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary—
  8. (1) to acquire property at the affiliated areas; or
  9. (2) to assume financial responsibility for the operation, maintenance, or management of the affiliated areas.