Route 66 Study Act of 1990
PL 101-400 (S.963), enacted 09/28/1990

PUBLIC LAW 101-400—SEPT. 28, 1990 
104 STAT. 861 
Public Law 101-400 
101st Congress 
An Act 
To authorize a study on methods to commemorate the nationally significant highway 
Sept. 28, 1990 
known as Route 66, and for other purposes. 
[S. 963] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Route 66 
' 
* 
Study Act 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
of 1990. 
This Act may be cited as the "Route 66 Study Act of 1990". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) United States Route 66, the 2,000 mile highway from 
Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, played a signifi-
cant role in the 20th-century history of our Nation, including 
the westward migration from the Dust Bowl and the increase in 
tourist travel; 
(2) Route 66, an early example of the 1926 National Highway 
System program, transverses the States of Illinois, Missouri, 
Kansas, 
Oklahoma, 
Texas, 
New 
Mexico, 
Arizona, 
and 
California; 
(3) Route 66 has become a symbol of the American people's 
heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life and 
has been enshrined in American popular culture; 
(4) although the remnants of Route 66 are disappearing, many 
structures, features, and artifacts of Route 66 remain; and 
(5) given the interest by organized groups and State govern-
ments in the preservation of features associated with Route 66, 
the route's history, and its role in American popular culture, a 
coordinated evaluation of preservation options should be 
undertaken. 
SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. 
(a) STUDY.—(1) The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
Director of the National Park Service and in cooperation with the 
respective States, shall coordinate a comprehensive study of United 
States Route 66. Such study shall include an evaluation of the 
significance of Route 66 in American history, options for preserva-
tion and use of remaining segments of Route 66, and options for the 
preservation and interpretation of significant features associated 
with the highway. The study shall consider private sector preserva-
tion alternatives. 
(2) The study shall include participation by representatives from 
each of the States traversed by Route 66, the State historic preserva-
tion offices, representatives of associations interested in the 
preservation of Route 66 and its features, and persons knowledge-
able in American history, historic preservation, and popular culture. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than two years from the date that funds 
are made available for the study referred to in subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall transmit such study to the Committee on Energy 
49-139 O - 90 (400) 
104 STAT. 862 
PUBLIC LAW 101-400—SEPT. 28, 1990 
and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Commit-
tee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of 
Representatives. 
(c) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to au-
thorize the National Park Service to assume responsibility for the 
maintenance of United States Route 66. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated $200,000 to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. 
Approved September 28, 1990. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 963 (H.R. 3493): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 101-637 accompanying H.R. 3493 (Comm. on Interior and 
Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 101-89 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 135 (1989): Aug. 2, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 136 (1990): July 30, H.R. 3493 considered and passed House. 
July 31, S. 963 considered and passed House, amended, in lieu of 
H.R. 3493. 
Sept. 13, Senate concurred in House amendment.