I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 143 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility 
of designating the James K. Polk Home in Columbia, Tennessee, as 
a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 3, 2019 
Mr. DESJARLAIS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability 
and feasibility of designating the James K. Polk Home 
in Columbia, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park 
System, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘James K. Polk Presi-
dential Home Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
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(1) in 1961, the James K. Polk Home was des-
ignated as a National Historic Landmark; and 
(2) in April 2015, the National Park Service 
completed a reconnaissance survey of the James K. 
Polk Home, in which the National Park Service— 
(A) determined that— 
(i) the James K. Polk Home is con-
clusively nationally significant; and 
(ii) a special resource study is needed 
to fully analyze the suitability, feasibility, 
and need for management of the James K. 
Polk Home by the National Park Service; 
and 
(B) recommended that Congress consider 
authorizing a special resource study for the 
James K. Polk Home and associated properties. 
SEC. 3. STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior (re-
ferred to in this Act as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall conduct a 
special resource study of the site of the James K. Polk 
Home in Columbia, Tennessee, and adjacent property (re-
ferred to in this Act as the ‘‘site’’). 
(b) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall conduct the 
study under subsection (a) in accordance with section 
100507 of title 54, United States Code. 
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(c) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) evaluate the national significance of the 
site; 
(2) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
designating the site as a unit of the National Park 
System; 
(3) include cost estimates for any necessary ac-
quisition, development, operation, and maintenance 
of the site; 
(4) consult with interested Federal, State, or 
local governmental entities, private and nonprofit or-
ganizations, or other interested individuals; and 
(5) identify alternatives for the management, 
administration, and protection of the site. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
on which funds are made available to carry out the study 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate a report that describes— 
(1) the findings and conclusions of the study; 
and 
(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 
Æ 
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