A bill to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

S. 2881

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

Last Updated

2026-03-24T12:48:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill (S. 2881) aims to swap administrative control over two parcels of federal land in Tuolumne County, California, between the U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture) and the National Park Service (under the Department of the Interior). The goal is to improve land management by aligning each parcel with the most suitable federal system—Yosemite National Park or Stanislaus National Forest—while preserving existing rights and handling potential environmental issues.

Key Provisions

• Land Transfers:
• Approximately 160 acres of National Forest System land (specifically described using legal land survey terms like township, range, and sections in the Mount Diablo Meridian) is transferred from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior for management as part of Yosemite National Park, following National Park System laws.
• Approximately 170 acres of National Park System land (similarly described) is transferred from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture for management as part of Stanislaus National Forest, following National Forest System laws.
• Both parcels are shown on a map titled "Ackerson Meadow Land Interchange" dated February 24, 2022.

• Adjustments and Corrections:
• The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior can agree on minor boundary changes or survey fixes to aid management; these take effect upon notice in the Federal Register (the official government journal for such announcements).

• Handling Hazardous Substances:
• Each secretary must identify known hazardous sites (like contaminated areas from past use) on the land they're transferring and notify the receiving agency.
• Cleanup responsibility stays with the original agency: Agriculture for the forest land going to the park, and Interior for the park land going to the forest. This mirrors pre-bill liabilities.

• Protection of Existing Interests:
• The transfers do not cancel or alter valid existing rights (e.g., property claims or access rights).
• Ongoing permits, leases, easements, or licenses (temporary authorizations for use like roads or grazing) remain valid; the new managing agency takes over administration under relevant laws starting on the bill's enactment date.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This introduces a specific land interchange not previously authorized, shifting management jurisdiction between agencies without changing overall federal ownership.
• It codifies shared responsibility for environmental cleanups, preventing new liabilities from the swap.
• Minor boundary adjustments are newly enabled through mutual agreement, streamlining future management without needing new legislation.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The National Park Service gains control over forest land better suited for park preservation (e.g., enhanced protection of natural features in Yosemite), while the Forest Service acquires park land for multiple-use forest management (e.g., recreation, timber, and wildlife). This could improve efficiency but requires coordination on shared issues like hazardous sites.
• Citizens: Local communities in Tuolumne County may see changes in land access or activities—park rules might limit development more strictly than forest rules, affecting recreation, hunting, or nearby tourism. No direct impacts on private citizens' rights, as existing uses are protected.
• International Relations: None apparent; this is a domestic land management adjustment.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service, managing Stanislaus National Forest) and U.S. Department of the Interior (National Park Service, managing Yosemite National Park).
• Local and Regional Entities: Tuolumne County residents, businesses, and visitors relying on these lands for tourism, recreation, or economic activities.
• Environmental and Conservation Groups: Organizations focused on park preservation or forest sustainability, as the swap could enhance biodiversity protection in sensitive areas like Ackerson Meadow.
• Existing Permit Holders: Individuals or companies with rights-of-way, leases, or permits on the land, who must now deal with the new administering agency.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Ensures continuity under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), which allows Congress to manage federal lands. The bill upholds due process by protecting vested rights and requires Federal Register publication for transparency.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges; it reinforces federal authority over public lands without infringing on states or individuals.
• Political: As a bipartisan land management tool (introduced by Sen. Padilla, D-CA), it could set a precedent for efficient inter-agency swaps to address ecological needs, potentially reducing administrative conflicts in California's protected areas. No major controversies noted in the bill text, but it may spark local debates over land use priorities.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
• 2025-09-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6734)
• 2025-09-18: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• To provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (4 pages)