Bill · H.R. 7255· House(119-HR-7255)
Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/27/2026
- Last activity
- 1/27/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Kevin Kiley
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 seeks to update Public Law 96-586 regarding the Forest Service's authority in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It specifically addresses the limited land ownership of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California to improve their access to cultural resources. The bill modifies how land is acquired, managed, and transferred to local agencies or the Tribe. It allows for the use of funds for various land management activities such as maintaining forest health and water quality. Additionally, it establishes a process for a yearly spending plan developed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically empowers the Washoe Tribe to acquire and manage land essential to their cultural preservation and access.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+6
The bill modernizes authority for land acquisition and management activities within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+6
The bill enables the Washoe Tribe to acquire and manage land of cultural significance to address limited land ownership.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved access for the Washoe Tribe: The bill notes that the Tribe owns less than 0.5 percent of the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin, which hampers their ability to provide access and cultural resources to members (Section 2(a)).
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Support for cultural preservation: The Secretary of Agriculture may transfer funds to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California to acquire and manage land of cultural significance for preservation and access (Section 2(b)(3)(5)).
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Enhanced land management capabilities: Funds can be used for specific activities including maintaining forest health, maintaining the wildland-urban interface, maintaining water quality, and preserving cultural sites and indigenous management practices (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(7)(C)).
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Increased partnership opportunities: The Secretary of Agriculture can enter into partnerships with Federal agencies, State or local governments, or the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to develop land management activities and projects providing public access (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(7)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+6Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6
- 1/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 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.
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada