Panel considers federal grant program to fund National Law Enforcement Museum programs

Representative Wesley Nehls presented H.R. 309, the National Law Enforcement Officers' Remembrance Support and Community Outreach Act, asking the subcommittee to create a formal grant program to fund the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs.

William Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, told the panel the memorial fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum were built with private funds and that the bill would authorize $6,000,000 per year for seven fiscal years to support the Fund's programs and allow free museum admission if appropriations are provided. "With federal funding, we will be able to open the museum free to the public," Alexander said, adding the funding would expand outreach, life‑saving training and public education about law enforcement.

Mike Caldwell, Associate Director for the National Park Service, summarized the Department of the Interior’s view: the department recognizes the museum’s work and defers to Congress on creating the grant program. Caldwell described the bill’s features as authorizing $6,000,000 per year and establishing reporting requirements; he added that if less than $6,000,000 is appropriated, the Secretary could transfer other National Park Service funds as needed.

During questioning members framed the bill as bipartisan and emphasized honoring fallen officers after recent line‑of‑duty deaths; no committee vote was recorded. Witnesses and sponsors agreed the bill aims to memorialize law enforcement history, increase public understanding and support officer wellness programs, and potentially remove financial barriers to museum access if Congress appropriates funds.

The subcommittee recorded support from the bill sponsor, the memorial fund CEO and staff; the hearing served as a fact‑finding step and the record remains open for follow‑up questions and submissions.