A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Summary: Taunton, Massachusetts Special Resources Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System (NPS).

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Taunton, Massachusetts Special 
Resources Study Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The city of Taunton, Massachusetts, is home to 9 
        distinct historic districts, with nearly 100 properties on the 
        National Register of Historic Places. Included among these 
        districts are the Church Green Historic District, the Bristol 
        County Courthouse Complex, the Taunton Green Historic District, 
        and the Reed and Barton Historic District.
            (2) All of these districts include buildings and building 
        facades of great historical, cultural, and architectural value.
            (3) Taunton Green is the site where the Sons of Liberty 
        first raised the Liberty and Union Flag in 1774, an event that 
        helped to spark a popular movement, culminating in the American 
        Revolution, and Taunton citizens have been among the first to 
        volunteer for America's subsequent wars.
            (4) Robert Treat Paine, a citizen of Taunton and the first 
        Attorney General of Massachusetts, was a signer of the 
        Declaration of Independence.
            (5) Taunton was a leading community in the Industrial 
        Revolution, and its industrial area has been the site of many 
        innovations in such industries as silver manufacture, paper 
        manufacture, and ship building.
            (6) The grounds of the Bristol County Courthouse Complex 
        were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed many 
        other important national sites.
            (7) Main Street and Summer Street, which connect many of 
        the historic districts, are home to several historically and 
        architecturally significant structures, including Taunton City 
        Hall and the Leonard Block building, 2 outstanding examples of 
        19th Century American architecture.
            (8) The city and people of Taunton have preserved many 
        artifacts, gravesites, and important documents dating back to 
        1638 when Taunton was founded.
            (9) Taunton was and continues to be an important 
        destination for immigrants from Europe and other parts of the 
        world who have helped to give Southeastern Massachusetts its 
        unique ethnic character.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) City.--The term ``city'' means the city of Taunton, 
        Massachusetts.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
        Massachusetts.

SEC. 4. STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate 
State historic preservation officers, State historical societies, the 
city, and other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a special 
resources study regarding the suitability and feasibility of 
designating certain historic buildings and areas in the city as a unit 
of the National Park System.
    (b) Requirements.--The study required under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) be conducted and completed in accordance with section 
        8(c) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. la-5(c)); and
            (2) include analysis, documentation, and determinations 
        regarding whether the historic areas in Taunton--
                    (A) can be managed, curated, interpreted, restored, 
                preserved, and presented as an organic whole under 
                management--
                            (i) by the National Park Service; or
                            (ii) under an alternative management 
                        structure;
                    (B) have an assemblage of cultural, historic, and 
                natural resources that together represent distinctive 
                aspects of the heritage of the United States worthy of 
                recognition, conservation, interpretation, and 
                continuing use;
                    (C) reflect traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
                historical events that are valuable parts of the 
                national story;
                    (D) provide outstanding--
                            (i) opportunities to conserve 
                        architectural, cultural, historical, natural, 
                        or scenic features; and
                            (ii) recreational and educational 
                        opportunities; and
                    (E) can be managed by the National Park Service, in 
                partnership with residents, business interests, 
                nonprofit organizations, and State and local 
                governments, to develop a unit of the National Park 
                System consistent with State and local economic 
                activity.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds are 
first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
report that--
            (1) describes the findings, conclusions, and 
        recommendations of the study; and
            (2) includes a discussion and consideration of the concerns 
        expressed by private landowners with respect to designating 
        certain structures studied under this Act as a unit of the 
        National Park System.