Bill · H.R. 8686· House(119-HR-8686)
To amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve certain public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
- Introduced
- 5/7/2026
- Last activity
- 6/10/2026 — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Sponsored by
- Paul Gosar
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013. It seeks to withdraw and reserve specific public lands near the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona for use by the Secretary of the Army. The reservation covers approximately 21,782.981 acres near Highway 95 and approximately 249.29 acres near the Howard Cantonment. The land is being set aside to support military readiness and security. The withdrawal lasts for an indefinite period or until the Secretary of the Army determines the military need no longer exists.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill explicitly allows for the conservation of wildlife, habitat, and the management of wild horses and burros.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+2
The bill includes provisions for the prevention and suppression of brush and range fires.
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+1
The bill authorizes rights-of-way for critical regional-grid level utility infrastructure such as transmission lines.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Military Readiness: The land is reserved for use by the Secretary of the Army to support military readiness and security (Section 2999B).
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Land Management Activities: The bill allows for several activities on the land that could benefit the public or the environment, including conservation of wildlife and habitat, preservation of cultural properties, management of wild horses and burros, and recreation, public access, and hunting (Section 2999C, subsection (b)).
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Fire Prevention: The land may be managed to include the prevention and suppression of brush and range fires caused by non-military activities (Section 2999C, subsection (b)).
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Utility Infrastructure: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to issue rights-of-way for critical regional-grid level utility infrastructure, such as above-ground transmission lines, within the Parker-Blaisdell Utility Corridor (Section 2999E).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Land Entry: The land is withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under public land laws, as well as location, entry, and patent under mining laws (Section 2999B, subsection (a)).
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Restrictions on Mineral Use: The withdrawal includes a prohibition on disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing (Section 2999B, subsection (a)).
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Control Over Non-Defense Uses: Any non-defense related uses of the land are subject to conditions and restrictions determined by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Army to ensure they do not interfere with defense-related uses (Section 2999C, subsection (c)).
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Limitations on Land Use Authorizations: For activities that cross through the withdrawn land and other nearby land, any lease, easement, or permit can only be issued with the consent of the Secretary of the Army (Section 2999C, subsection (d)).
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 Environmental Protections+3Improves Public Land Management+2Improves Public Transit+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Gun Owners+1Good For Rural Residents+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2026
- Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 5/21/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 5/12/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 5/7/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona