Bill · H.R. 2768· House(119-HR-2768)
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/9/2025
- Last activity
- 6/3/2026 — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 426.
- Sponsored by
- Charles Fleischmann
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study whether it makes sense to designate the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. The trail covers about 287 miles through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina as a scenic, nonmotorized path. The Secretary of Agriculture must work with interested groups, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, to finish this study. The final report and study must be submitted to Congress no later than two years after the law is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 19
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The feasibility study itself could lead to improved environmental protections for the area surrounding the trail.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+2
The trail provides outdoor recreational activities for young adults.
Would people in middle age be better off under this?+2
The trail provides outdoor recreational activities for middle-aged adults.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2 adds a provision to the National Trails System Act requiring a study on the Benton MacKaye Trail within two years of enactment. This is positive because it brings people and organizations together, such as the Secretary of Agriculture and the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, to look into officially recognizing a 287-mile trail across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Retirees+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For Children+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Seniors+1Good For Students+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Public Land Management+2Improves Rural Development+1Reduces Carbon Emissions+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Improves Small Business Support+1Increases Job Creation+1
- 6/3/2026
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 426.
- 6/2/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3749-3750)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3749-3750)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2768.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3749-3751)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 4/2/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-582.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 502.
- 3/5/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia