Bill · S. 1083· Senate(119-S-1083)
Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/14/2025
- Last activity
- 3/14/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: S1779-1781)
- Sponsored by
- John Barrasso
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025 aims to improve housing and workforce programs for federal land management agencies. It focuses on expanding the authority of the National Park Service to develop workforce housing both on and off-park lands. The bill also provides new authorities for the Forest Service to address housing needs through longer-term permits. Additionally, it seeks to increase partnership capacity through state, tribal, and local cooperation, as well as philanthropic support. Finally, the act includes provisions for workforce support and mandates several oversight reports to quantify needs and assess housing impacts.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+7
The act provides critical authorities for the National Park Service and Forest Service to better manage their workforce and lands.
Does this make housing cost less?+6
The bill specifically targets the development and acquisition of housing for federal land management employees.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+4
The bill increases opportunities for Tribal partnership in managing park land.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Housing Availability for National Park Employees: The bill allows the National Park Service to acquire land near system units specifically for the development and operation of quarters for field employees (Section 102).
-
Enhanced Workforce Stability: The National Park Service can leverage rental receipts to fund the development, construction, and maintenance of employee quarters (Section 104).
-
Flexible Housing Solutions for Forest Service: The Forest Service can use permits for workforce housing and related infrastructure for up to 50 years (Section 105).
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Increased Partnership Opportunities: The Secretary may enter into cooperative management agreements with States, Indian Tribes, or local governments to manage park land more efficiently (Section 202).
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Recruitment Advantages for Land Managers: The Secretary or Secretary of Agriculture may directly appoint qualified individuals into the competitive service if they maintain a permanent residence near their work site (Section 301).
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Improved Rehire Eligibility for Seasonal Workers: The bill changes how noncompetitive rehire eligibility is determined for temporary seasonal employees of the National Park Service (Section 302).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Loss of Land Control: Land acquired for employee quarters by the Secretary is specifically designated so that it shall not be administered as part of the System unit (Section 102).
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Workforce Limitations on Appointment Authority: The authority to appoint qualified individuals with permanent residences near work sites is temporary and set to terminate on September 30, 2030 (Section 301).
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Temporary Nature of Seasonal Workforce Provisions: The specific provisions regarding the determination of noncompetitive rehire eligibility for seasonal National Park Service employees are also set to terminate on September 30, 2030 (Section 302).
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+7Improves Rural Development+3Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+6
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3
- 3/14/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: S1779-1781)
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Angus KingIndependent · Maine