Bill · S. 1112· Senate(119-S-1112)
Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act
- Introduced
- 3/25/2025
- Last activity
- 6/23/2025 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act," aims to adjust the boundary of Big Bend National Park in Texas. It allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 6,100 acres of land or land interests. These acquisitions are to be made through donation or exchange as shown on a specific map. Once acquired, the Secretary must revise the park's boundary to include these areas. Finally, the Secretary is tasked with administering this land as part of the Park.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The act formally expands and integrates more land into the National Park Service administration.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The expansion of the park through land acquisition enhances the protection of natural areas.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The act expands the federal government's land holdings and administrative reach in Texas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Land Acquisition through Voluntary Means: The Secretary may acquire approximately 6,100 acres of land or interests in land through donation or exchange (Section 3(a)). This allows for the expansion of the park through consensual agreements.
-
Park Administration: The Secretary is required to revise the boundary and administer the acquired land as part of the Park (Section 3(c)). This ensures that the new land is managed as part of the national park system.
-
Public Transparency: The map used for these boundary adjustments shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service (Section 3(b)). This provides transparency regarding which areas are being considered.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on Acquisition Methods: The Secretary is prohibited from using eminent domain or condemnation to carry out this Act (Section 3(d)). This means the government cannot force the acquisition of land under this specific act.
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+5Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2Improves Due Process+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2
- 6/23/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/18/2025
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3458)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S3460)
- 3/25/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico