Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9416
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-01: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T21:17:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes related management, tribal consultation, and land trust provisions.
Key Provisions
- Redesignation: Changes the park's official name from "Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park" to "Ocmulgee Mounds National Park"; updates all references in federal laws, maps, and documents.
- Administration: Manages the park as a National Park System unit under existing federal laws, with rules allowing fishing subject to federal and state laws, zones for restrictions, and state consultation.
- Tribal Provisions: Requires hiring preferences for Indian tribe members where practicable; mandates continued tribal consultation and protection of sacred cultural sites with access for affiliated tribes.
- Agreements: Authorizes memoranda of understanding or cooperative agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other interested tribes for resource management.
- Land Trust: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take approximately 133.88 acres of Muscogee (Creek) Nation fee land into trust upon request, making it part of the tribe's reservation; prohibits gaming on the land.
- Map: References a specific map for boundaries and allows technical corrections.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Updates the park designation established under the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
- Introduces new requirements for tribal hiring preferences and site access not previously specified for this park.
- Adds a land-into-trust process for specific acreage held by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases National Park Service responsibilities for tribal coordination and land management; affects fishing oversight in coordination with Georgia.
- Citizens: Maintains public access and fishing rights while adding protections for cultural sites; no direct changes to private land use.
- International Relations: None identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other Indian tribes with cultural ties to the area.
- National Park Service and Department of the Interior.
- State of Georgia (regarding fishing and wildlife management).
- Local residents and visitors to the park.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Strengthens tribal consultation and resource protection consistent with existing executive orders and laws such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
- Establishes land trust status under standard Indian law procedures, with explicit gaming prohibition.
- Preserves state authority over fish and wildlife without expansion or reduction.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2026-07-01: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-06-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (7 pages)