Public Lands Access Restoration Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7979
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T15:05:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Public Lands Access Restoration Act (H.R. 7979)
Purpose
The legislation aims to restore a presumption that roads and trails on lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are open to motorized access, unless specific restrictions are applied for resource protection or public safety.
Key Provisions
- Presumption of Access: Within 180 days of enactment, covered roads and trails are presumed open to motorized use. Agencies must update regulations accordingly.
- Restriction Standards: Motorized access may be restricted only with clear and convincing evidence of need for resource protection or safety. Restrictions require signage, updated maps, Federal Register and local newspaper notice, a 30-day public comment period, review every five years, and application to the smallest area and shortest time possible.
- Public Nominations: The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service must accept and consider public proposals at any time for adding, converting, or designating motorized roads and trails, including during travel management planning. Priority is given to proposals that improve connectivity, protect resources, aid wildfire response, or enhance recreation. Expedited review (within 90 days) applies to converting administrative or closed roads to motorized trails.
- Rule of Construction: The Act does not limit other public access or uses beyond the specified restrictions.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms such as "covered road or trail" (excluding wilderness areas and national parks), "motorized access" (including ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles), and agency-specific roads and trails.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a default open-access policy for motorized use on designated routes, shifting from potentially more restrictive agency practices under laws like the National Forest Management Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. It adds mandatory public nomination processes and detailed procedural safeguards for any closures.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to revise regulations, process public proposals, maintain signage and maps, and conduct periodic reviews, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens: Expands opportunities for motorized recreation on public lands while maintaining resource safeguards.
- Other: No direct effects on international relations; focuses on domestic land management.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal land management agencies (Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management).
- Public land users, including motorized recreation enthusiasts.
- Local communities and businesses near public lands.
- Groups focused on resource protection and environmental conservation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The Act reinforces federal authority over public lands by setting procedural standards for access decisions, potentially affecting how existing environmental review laws are implemented. It emphasizes public participation in land management without altering core constitutional principles of federal land ownership.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Public Lands Access Restoration Act — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (7 pages)