Bill · H.R. 9221· House(119-HR-9221)
Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
- Introduced
- 6/9/2026
- Last activity
- 6/30/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act" aims to ensure public land remains accessible. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to prioritize updating travel and motor vehicle use plans. The bill limits the ability of officials to close roads, especially on "disability-accessible land." It also promotes the inclusion of roads that provide access to various recreational activities. Additionally, it establishes a presumption that roads should remain open for public use.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+9
The bill's primary focus is ensuring motorized access to public lands for people with disabilities.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+8
The bill specifically protects and prioritizes motorized access to public lands for individuals with disabilities.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
Increases accessibility and preserves roads on public lands often used by rural populations.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-6
The bill establishes categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act for certain road actions.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?-3
The bill promotes more motorized vehicle use on public lands and reduces environmental review requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Recreational Access: The bill requires officials to prioritize roads that provide access to diverse activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and boating (Section 4(a)(3)).
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Protections for Disability Access: In "disability-accessible land," officials generally cannot close roads if it would result in the land no longer meeting the criteria for being disability-accessible (Section 4(b)(1)(A)).
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Public Input on Road Closures: The bill requires that notice for proposed road closures be provided for public comment and that a public hearing be conducted (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Potential for New Access: The bill requires officials to provide a way for people to nominate new roads to be added to travel plans (Section 4(b)(3)(A)).
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Presumption of Open Access: There is a rebuttable presumption that roads shall remain open for public use unless clear and compelling evidence proves a closure is necessary (Section 4(b)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Environmental Oversight: Road closures and the establishment of new roads may be categorically excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 4(b)(4)).
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Limited Road Closures for Safety: While roads can be closed for health or safety threats, the bill restricts the closure of roads that are beneficial for search and rescue activities, wildfire response, or fuels reduction treatments (Section 4(b)(1)(B)(iii)).
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 People With Disabilities+9Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Gun Owners+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+3Improves Public Land Management+2Improves Environmental Protections-6Reduces Carbon Emissions-3
- 6/30/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 6/9/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.