HR 249 · 119th Congress

To redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.

national parkscommemorative namingNew Jerseycongressional tributes
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Last action 2025-12-09

Sponsored by Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D) — NJ

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Would rename two facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey — a scenic trail bridge and an overlook park — in honor of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.

What this bill would do

What it would do

The bill would redesignate two facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey. The Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge would be renamed the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge, and Overlook Park would be renamed Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park. Any reference to either facility in laws, maps, regulations, or other official records would be treated as a reference to the new names.

Key provisions

  1. 1Would redesignate the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge as the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail BridgeSec. 1(a)
  2. 2Would redesignate Overlook Park as Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook ParkSec. 1(b)
  3. 3Would require all official laws, maps, regulations, and documents to treat references to the old names as references to the new namesSec. 1(c)

Who would be affected

Visitors, staff, and administrators of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in New Jersey, as well as any agencies or offices that maintain official maps, documents, or records referencing the renamed facilities.

Why it matters

The change is honorific: it renames two specific park features after a former New Jersey congressman and has no effect on how the park operates, is funded, or is managed.

What would change

Funding and costs

Congressional Budget Office estimate

CBO estimates H.R. 249 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, with no effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit.

H.R. 249 would redesignate a bridge and a park within Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. CBO estimates that updating maps, informational materials, and signage would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period; that spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds (discretionary spending Congress must separately approve) and is not estimated beyond 2030. The bill has no effect on direct (mandatory) spending, revenues, or the deficit in any scoring window, and CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates.

View the full CBO cost estimate

Legislative status & sources

Latest action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

2025-12-09

Official CRS summary

Show the CRS summary

This bill renames a trail and a park within Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park located in Paterson, New Jersey, in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Specifically, it renames the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge as the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge. It also renames Overlook Park as Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park.

From the Congressional Research Service.

Legislative subjects

Congressional tributes; Historic sites and heritage areas; Members of Congress; New Jersey; Parks, recreation areas, trails; Public Lands and Natural Resources

Committee report

H. Rept. 119-62

Congressional Bill

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HR 249: To redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. | Legislation Reporter