Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act

Bill Number: H.R. 9325
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Last Updated: 2026-07-01T08:09:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 9325)

Purpose

This legislation establishes the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area as a unit of the National Park System. Its goals include expanding outdoor recreation opportunities such as hunting and fishing, conserving open space on voluntarily participating lands, protecting coastal ecosystems and wildlife, and supporting local economies through tourism and traditional land uses in the Upper and Middle Texas Gulf Coast region.

Key Provisions

Establishment and Boundaries: The area is created once the Secretary of the Interior determines sufficient lands have been acquired for a manageable unit. Boundaries are based on a designated map covering sites in Jefferson, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties in Texas. The Secretary must publish notice in the Federal Register upon establishment.
Land Acquisition: The Secretary may acquire land only through donation, purchase from willing sellers with donated funds, exchange, or federal transfer. Condemnation is prohibited. Federal lands from other agencies may be transferred with consent, excluding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands.
Network and Associated Sites: The "Network" includes the National Recreation Area and associated sites participating via voluntary cooperative agreements. Participation requires landowner consent and does not transfer federal ownership.
Administration: The National Park Service manages the area in partnership with state, local, and private entities under existing National Park System laws. The Secretary may enter cooperative agreements for interpretation, resource protection, and projects, providing up to 25% federal funding matched by non-federal sources.
Lone Star Coastal Partnership: A 31-member board is established with representatives from federal agencies, state officials, county judges, private landowners, and nonprofits. It coordinates planning, may form committees, and seeks donations without acquiring real property.
Integrated Resource Management Plan: The Partnership must submit a plan to the Secretary within three years, covering management, financing, coordination, and local control. The plan requires review by the Texas Governor before approval.
Savings Provisions: Explicit protections maintain state and local jurisdiction over fish, wildlife, and taxes; prohibit new regulations on private property; preserve hunting, fishing, and off-road vehicle use; safeguard oil and gas rights; and ensure emergency response capabilities remain unaffected.
Funding: Appropriations are authorized for technical assistance and operations, but expenditures must align with the approved plan. No funds may support condemnation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill creates a new National Recreation Area designation with a partnership-based model emphasizing voluntary participation, differing from traditional National Park System units that often involve broader federal acquisition authority. It introduces specific restrictions on federal regulatory impacts and mandates a local Partnership for management input, while reinforcing existing laws on property rights and resource uses without altering core National Park Service Organic Act authorities.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The National Park Service gains administrative responsibilities, potentially requiring coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal entities. State agencies like the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department retain jurisdiction but participate in planning.
Citizens: Private landowners in the designated counties may voluntarily join the Network for benefits like technical assistance, without facing new restrictions or loss of rights. Local communities could see increased tourism and recreation access.
International Relations: No direct impacts are outlined, as the legislation focuses solely on domestic Texas coastal resources.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal agencies, including the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
State of Texas entities, such as the Governor's Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Historical Commission.
Local governments in the five coastal counties.
Private landowners and nonprofit organizations participating in the Network.
Tourism, recreation, and energy industries in the region.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill includes extensive savings clauses to address potential conflicts with property rights under the Fifth Amendment and existing environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act and Clean Air Act. It emphasizes voluntary cooperation to avoid takings issues and maintains state sovereignty over resources. Politically, the structure promotes local control through the Partnership, potentially mitigating opposition from property owners while advancing conservation goals.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

Recent Actions

2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2026-06-15: Introduced in House
2026-06-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (29 pages)