Public Lands and Natural Resources Desk
Public Lands and Natural Resources Bills
14 bills in the Public Lands and Natural Resources desk, ordered for current relevance and readability.
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-184-119Latest action: May 21, 20264 readersIn Committee
Action Versus No Action Act
Sponsored by Tom McClintock
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), federal agencies must prepare environmental assessments or environmental impact statements before approving major forest management projects. These documents typically analyze multiple alternatives to the proposed action, allowing decision-makers and the public to compare different approaches. Currently, agencies have discretion to develop and evaluate numerous alternatives—ranging from modest modifications to the proposal through substantially different management strategies—based on what they determine is reasonable and necessary to inform the decision. The Action Versus No Action Act requires the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior to narrow this analysis significantly for certain collaborative forest management activities on timber-suitable lands. When a forest project meets specific criteria—including those developed through collaborative processes, proposed by resource advisory committees, covered by community wildfire protection plans, or designated under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act—the responsible Secretary must study and describe only two alternatives: the proposed forest management activity itself, and the alternative of taking no action. The "no action" alternative must evaluate potential effects on forest health, wildfire risk, insect and disease potential, habitat diversity, timber production, and property losses, as well as downstream implications for water supply and wildlife habitat. Implementation begins upon enactment with no specified funding requirement, as the bill modifies existing NEPA procedures rather than creating new programs. Agencies will apply this two-alternative framework to qualifying projects going forward, potentially streamlining environmental review timelines. The change affects how federal land managers present options to the public and decision-makers, reducing the range of alternatives formally analyzed in environmental documents for projects meeting the bill's criteria. This may accelerate approval of collaborative forest management proposals while limiting consideration of alternative management approaches in the formal environmental review process.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateMay 12, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-204-119Latest action: Mar 4, 20260 readersPassed Chamber
ACRES Act
Sponsored by Thomas Tiffany
The Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior currently track hazardous fuels reduction activities—vegetation management work like prescribed burns and mechanical thinning designed to reduce wildfire risk—but lack standardized reporting methods across their agencies and regions. This inconsistency makes it difficult for Congress and the public to assess how much work is actually being completed, where it occurs, and whether it effectively reduces wildfire danger. Different field offices use different data systems and definitions, creating gaps in accountability and making budget decisions harder to justify. The ACRES Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System lands) and the Secretary of the Interior (for public lands and National Park System units) to implement standardized procedures for tracking hazardous fuels reduction activities within 90 days of enactment. Beginning with the next fiscal year budget submission, both secretaries must include detailed annual reports showing the number of acres treated, broken down by location (including proximity to homes and communities), wildfire risk level before and after treatment, activity type, cost per acre, and effectiveness data. The reports must be made publicly available on both departments' websites, and each acre is counted only once even if multiple treatments occur there. Within two weeks of implementing the new tracking procedures, each secretary must report to Congress on their standardized methods and recommend any policy changes needed to improve data collection. The Government Accountability Office will conduct a two-year study assessing implementation challenges and submit findings to Congress. The bill requires no new funding—agencies must absorb these reporting and tracking duties within existing budgets. Over time, this standardized approach should enable better comparison of hazardous fuels work across regions and clearer measurement of whether treatments actually reduce wildfire risk.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 21, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H244-245)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-34-119Latest action: Feb 10, 20260 readersIn Committee
LASSO Act
Sponsored by Paul Gosar
The federal government currently collects substantial revenue from public lands through activities like oil and gas leasing, timber sales, grazing permits, and recreational fees. These revenues are managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Historically, most of this revenue has been allocated to land management, conservation programs, state payments, and tribal distributions. The Social Security Trust Fund, which finances retirement and disability benefits, faces long-term solvency challenges as the ratio of workers to beneficiaries declines. The LASSO Act requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to deposit 10 percent of annual revenue collected from covered public lands into the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Trust Fund. Covered public lands include all lands under Interior Department jurisdiction—including federal onshore lands and submerged lands on the Outer Continental Shelf—as well as lands managed by the Forest Service. The bill explicitly prohibits the secretaries from raising prices on public land activities to generate additional revenue and protects existing payments to states, Indian tribes, territories, and local governments, ensuring those distributions remain unchanged. Implementation begins in the fiscal year following enactment, with 10 percent of prior-year collections redirected annually. The funding source is existing public land revenue, not new appropriations. This mechanism diverts a portion of revenue that would otherwise support land management budgets, conservation initiatives, and state-tribal revenue sharing. The downstream effect reduces available funding for Department of the Interior and Forest Service operations unless Congress appropriates additional funds to offset the diversion. The Social Security Trust Fund receives a recurring revenue stream, though the amount fluctuates based on annual public land revenues, which vary with commodity prices and leasing activity.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateFeb 3, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-178-119Latest action: Jan 8, 20265 readersIn Committee
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes.
Sponsored by Tom McClintock
The U.S. Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture, currently manages wildfire suppression on National Forest System lands using a range of strategies, including prescribed burns and other fuel-reduction techniques. Under existing law, the Forest Service balances suppression efforts with longer-term forest management goals, and decisions about when and how to fight fires involve coordination with state and local agencies. The current approach allows for flexibility in response based on conditions, available resources, and management objectives. This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service Chief, to prioritize rapid wildfire suppression on covered National Forest System lands—defined as forests in severe drought conditions, at the highest wildfire preparedness level, or in the top 10 percent of fireshed risk areas. The Secretary must deploy all available resources to extinguish detected wildfires within 24 hours and immediately suppress any prescribed fire that exceeds its intended parameters. The bill also prohibits the Forest Service from blocking state or local firefighting efforts, restricts the use of fire as a management tool to prescribed burns that comply with law, and limits backfires or burnouts to situations ordered by incident commanders or necessary to protect firefighter safety. Implementation begins immediately upon enactment. The bill does not specify new funding but directs the Forest Service to redirect existing suppression resources toward the 24-hour extinguishment standard on high-risk lands. This approach may reduce the use of prescribed burns and fuel-reduction activities in drought-affected areas, potentially affecting long-term forest health strategies. The requirement to suppress wildfires within 24 hours on designated lands could strain resources during peak fire seasons, particularly if multiple fires ignite simultaneously across covered areas.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 8, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-429, Part I.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-179-119Latest action: Jan 8, 20263 readersIn Committee
Proven Forest Management Act of 2025
Sponsored by Tom McClintock
Currently, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management conduct forest management activities on federal lands under existing environmental review requirements, primarily the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. These reviews can be lengthy and complex, requiring detailed analysis of environmental impacts before projects proceed. Local governments, fire departments, and community groups often have limited formal roles in planning these activities, even though they may be directly affected by forest management decisions on nearby federal lands. The current framework aims to balance environmental protection with management needs, but stakeholders report that coordination gaps can slow projects and reduce local input. The Proven Forest Management Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System lands) and the Secretary of the Interior (for public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management) to coordinate with impacted parties—including local governments, fire departments, Tribal governments, and volunteer groups—when conducting forest management activities. The bill requires these activities to pursue multiple ecosystem benefits, such as reducing forest fuels, maintaining biodiversity, improving water quality, and increasing climate resilience, unless costs are excessive. Critically, the bill creates a categorical exclusion from full National Environmental Policy Act review for fuel-reduction projects up to 10,000 acres (with no more than 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning), provided they are developed in coordination with local governments and are consistent with existing forest plans. Implementation begins immediately upon enactment. The categorical exclusion streamlines approval timelines for qualifying fuel-reduction projects by eliminating the need for comprehensive environmental impact statements, though projects must still meet forest plan requirements and coordinate with local stakeholders. The bill does not appropriate new funding; agencies will absorb coordination and monitoring costs within existing budgets. By reducing procedural delays for fuel-reduction work, the bill may accelerate thinning and prescribed burn projects on federal forests, potentially increasing timber sales and contracting opportunities while also expanding local government involvement in planning decisions that affect their communities.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 8, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-430, Part I.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-187-119Latest action: Dec 26, 20254 readersEnacted
MAPWaters Act of 2025
Sponsored by Blake Moore
Currently, five federal agencies—the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service—each maintain separate databases documenting restrictions, access points, and conditions on the waterways they manage. These systems use different data formats and standards, making it difficult for the public to find comprehensive, consistent information about where they can fish, boat, or access federal waters. Recreationalists often must contact multiple agencies or visit different websites to understand what activities are permitted on a particular waterway. The MAPWaters Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Forest Service) to develop unified data standards and consolidate this information into publicly accessible online maps. Within 30 months, the Secretaries must work with the Federal Geographic Data Committee to establish compatible standards for collecting and sharing geospatial data on waterway restrictions, fishing limitations, and recreational access. Within five years, each agency must digitize and publish geographic information system data showing boat ramps, fishing access sites, seasonal closures, motorized-use restrictions, anchoring rules, and fishing zone boundaries. The Secretaries must update waterway restriction data at least twice yearly and fishing restriction data in real time as changes take effect. Implementation will occur over five years, with no new funding mechanism specified in the bill. The Secretaries may partner with state agencies, tribes, technology companies, and nonprofits to meet these requirements, and may work with the United States Geological Survey to aggregate and standardize data on their behalf. The bill explicitly preserves existing agency authority over water management and does not alter what waters are currently open or closed to recreation. Archaeological and paleontological site information will remain protected from public disclosure, consistent with existing law.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateDec 26, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-62.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-186-119Latest action: Dec 9, 20250 readersPassed Chamber
Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act
Sponsored by Blake Moore
In 2021, Congress authorized the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to build a commemorative monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients on federal land in Washington, D.C. However, existing law—specifically section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, part of the Commemorative Works Act—restricts where such monuments can be placed. The law generally prohibits commemorative works from being located within the National Mall Reserve, a protected area that includes some of the nation's most prominent federal land near iconic monuments like the Lincoln Memorial. This restriction has prevented the Foundation from moving forward with a preferred location for the monument. This bill amends the Commemorative Works Act by authorizing an exception for the National Medal of Honor Monument. Specifically, it directs that the commemorative work authorized under the 2021 law shall be permitted to locate within the Reserve, notwithstanding the existing prohibition in section 8908(c). The bill maintains that all other provisions of the Commemorative Works Act—which govern design standards, construction timelines, maintenance responsibilities, and other regulatory requirements—continue to apply to the project. This targeted exception allows the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to proceed with establishing the monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, removing the legal barrier that previously blocked the Foundation's site selection. The Foundation remains responsible for securing funding through private donations and managing the design and construction process under the remaining Commemorative Works Act requirements. The monument's placement near the Lincoln Memorial creates a symbolic connection to President Abraham Lincoln, who established the Medal of Honor in 1863. No federal appropriations are required by this bill, and the change does not affect other commemorative works or National Mall regulations beyond this single project.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 21, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0 (Roll no. 18). (text: CR H237)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-197-119Latest action: Oct 27, 20253 readersPassed Chamber
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025
Sponsored by Pete Stauber
The Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota currently consists of federally owned land managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. Within this forest, the federal government holds approximately 17.5 acres in Itasca County that may be suitable for exchange with privately held land. Land exchanges within national forests are authorized under existing federal law but require specific congressional approval when substantial acreage or strategic interests are involved. This bill addresses a specific opportunity to reconfigure forest holdings in the region. The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service Chief, is authorized to exchange approximately 17.5 acres of federal land in the Chippewa National Forest for approximately 36.7 acres of non-federal land owned by Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT), a Minnesota company. The exchange must occur within one year of BWLT's offer and is conditioned on independent appraisals following federal standards, title approval, and completion of environmental site assessments. If the federal land is worth more than the private land, BWLT must pay the difference to the United States; if the private land is worth more, that excess value is waived as a donation. BWLT bears all costs including surveys, appraisals, environmental assessments, and closing expenses. Once completed, the non-federal land acquired by the United States will be added to and managed as part of the Chippewa National Forest under standard Forest Service rules and regulations. The Secretary must finalize detailed legal descriptions and maps within a reasonable timeframe, with these documents available for public inspection. The exchange preserves federal road access to National Forest System land west of the federal parcel through an easement. No federal appropriations are required, as BWLT funds all transaction costs. The net effect expands federal forest holdings by approximately 19.2 acres while reducing federal holdings by 17.5 acres in the same region.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 21, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H242-243)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-183-119Latest action: Jul 22, 20252 readersPassed Chamber
Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act
Sponsored by Tom McClintock
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, enacted in 2004, established a system for managing recreation fees on federal lands managed by agencies like the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Under current law, the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—commonly known as the America the Beautiful Pass—costs $80 annually and provides unlimited access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. The law already provides free passes to members of the Armed Forces and their dependents as a benefit for military service. However, law enforcement officers and firefighters, who face occupational hazards and serve the public, have not received similar fee-free access to these federal recreation areas. This bill amends Section 805(b) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to extend the free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to law enforcement officers and firefighters. The Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service, will administer the program and determine what constitutes adequate proof of eligibility. The bill defines "law enforcement officer" to include any officer, agent, or employee of federal, state, local, or tribal governments authorized to prevent, detect, or investigate criminal violations or supervise offenders. "Firefighter" encompasses any employee of those same government entities who performs work directly related to suppressing fires, including wildland fires. Implementation will occur through existing pass distribution channels managed by the National Park Service and other federal land agencies. Eligible law enforcement officers and firefighters will need to provide proof of their employment status to receive the free pass, similar to the verification process for military members. The program requires no new appropriations, as it operates within existing recreation fee authority. The change will reduce annual revenue to federal land management agencies by the amount of passes issued to these groups, though the financial impact is expected to be modest given the relatively small population of eligible recipients compared to total pass sales.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJul 21, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3496)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-168-119Latest action: Apr 4, 20250 readersIn Committee
TORCH Act
Sponsored by Doug LaMalfa
Current federal law requires extensive environmental review and consultation before the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior can remove trees or manage vegetation on public lands, even when those actions aim to reduce wildfire risk. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 mandates detailed environmental assessments for most forest management projects, and the Endangered Species Act requires consultation with wildlife agencies. These requirements, while designed to protect environmental values, can delay hazard reduction work by months or years. Additionally, timber sales on national forests face appraisal requirements and acreage caps that limit their use as a tool for removing dangerous trees and excess fuel. The TORCH Act streamlines federal forest management by authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior to bypass certain environmental reviews for specific wildfire-reduction activities. The bill establishes categorical exclusions—a regulatory mechanism that exempts projects from full environmental assessment—for high-priority hazard tree removal within 300 feet of roads or recreation sites (up to 3,000 acres per project), and for vegetation management along electrical utility rights-of-way. It raises the acreage limit for wildfire resilience projects from 3,000 to 10,000 acres under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. The bill also increases the timber sale threshold from $10,000 to $50,000, allowing the Secretary to sell forest products without appraisal during extreme risk events like catastrophic wildfires or disease outbreaks. Implementation begins immediately upon enactment, with the Department of Agriculture required to develop the hazard tree categorical exclusion within one year. The bill funds these activities through timber sale revenues and utility company proceeds from vegetation removal, rather than appropriating new federal dollars. Utility companies can now remove hazardous trees near power lines under special use permits without separate timber sales. The changes apply retroactively to good neighbor agreements initiated after 2018, allowing states, tribes, and counties to retain timber sale revenues for restoration work. These streamlined processes are expected to accelerate fuel reduction projects, though they reduce opportunities for public comment and environmental review on affected lands.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateApr 4, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-207-119Latest action: Jan 22, 20251 readersPassed Chamber
SHARKED Act of 2025
Sponsored by Robert Wittman
Shark depredation—damage to fishing gear and catch caused by sharks—has become an increasingly costly problem for commercial and recreational fishers across U.S. coastal waters. Currently, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and regional fishery management councils address shark interactions through existing fisheries law, but there is no coordinated federal effort specifically focused on understanding the causes of shark depredation or developing strategies to reduce it. Research on shark behavior, habituation to humans, and the effectiveness of deterrents remains fragmented across agencies and institutions, limiting the ability of fishers and managers to respond effectively. The SHARKED Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force that brings together representatives from regional fishery management councils, state fish and wildlife agencies, NMFS, and shark researchers to identify research priorities and develop management strategies addressing shark depredation. The task force will coordinate communication between fisheries managers and shark researchers, identify which shark species are involved in depredation events, assess shark populations, study how sharks become habituated to human activity, and develop non-lethal deterrent techniques. The task force will also create educational materials to help anglers and commercial fishers modify their behavior and expectations to minimize harmful shark interactions. The task force must submit its first report to Congress within two years of establishment, then every two years thereafter, and will automatically terminate after seven years. The bill does not provide a specific funding appropriation but directs the task force to identify funding opportunities for research priorities. The task force's work will inform future fisheries regulations and management decisions by NMFS and regional councils, potentially leading to new rules governing fishing practices in areas with high shark depredation. The effort does not alter existing protections under the Endangered Species Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 21, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H240-241)
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesHR-105-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20252 readersIn Committee
Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act
Sponsored by Andy Biggs
Federal land agencies currently dedicate a portion of their recreation fee revenue to a program that funds public access improvements on federal lands. Under existing law codified in title 54, United States Code, section 200306, agencies must allocate 3 percent of recreation fee collections—capped at $15 million annually—to support projects that enhance recreational access. This funding mechanism has remained largely unchanged for years, limiting the scope and scale of improvements that can be made to trails, parking areas, boat launches, and other infrastructure that enables the public to use federal lands. The Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act amends section 200306 of title 54 to substantially expand this funding stream. The bill requires federal land agencies to increase the mandatory allocation from 3 percent to 10 percent of recreation fee revenue collected, and raises the annual funding cap from $15 million to $50 million. This change directs more revenue generated from recreation fees—such as entrance fees, camping permits, and day-use charges—back into on-the-ground improvements that directly benefit public access. The expanded funding takes effect upon enactment and flows through existing agency budgeting processes without requiring separate appropriations. The increase means federal land managers will have substantially more resources to maintain and develop recreational infrastructure across the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other agencies that collect recreation fees. The higher allocation may reduce funds available for other agency priorities, but it ensures that revenue generated from public recreation directly supports expanded access to the same lands where those fees are collected.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Public Lands and Natural Resources