Bill · S. 2968· Senate(119-S-2968)
Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
- Introduced
- 10/3/2025
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act aims to ensure access to certain public lands. The bill directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to prioritize updating travel management and motor vehicle use plans. It specifically addresses the designation of land as open, limited, or closed to off-road vehicles. The Act establishes rules for maintaining "disability-accessible land" by preventing road closures that would reduce authorized road mileage below a certain threshold. Additionally, it outlines specific requirements for road closures, public notice, and the establishment of new roads.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+8
The act protects the availability of roads on public lands to ensure they remain disability-accessible for recreation.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+8
The bill ensures access to public lands by preventing road closures that would reduce the mileage required for land to be designated as disability-accessible.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+5
The bill mandates the prioritization of updating travel management and motor vehicle use plans to ensure road access.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-3
The bill allows for road closures and new road establishments to be categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased access to diverse recreation: The bill prioritizes the inclusion and approval of roads that provide access to various activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and the use of motorized vehicles or electric bicycles (Section 4(a)(3)).
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Protection of disability-accessible land: For lands defined as disability-accessible, the Secretary is prohibited from closing roads if the closure would result in a net decrease of authorized roads below the required mileage for that square mile (Section 4(b)(1)(A)).
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Improved road access for non-accessible land: On public land not considered disability-accessible, the Secretary is instructed to consider opening any roads that were closed during the 10-year period ending on the date of the Act's enactment (Section 4(b)(1)(B)(i)).
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Coordinated route identification: The bill requires coordination with Federal agencies, State, local, and Tribal governments to identify desirable routes to ensure public land is disability-accessible (Section 4(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential for unexpected road closures or changes: The Secretary concerned has the authority to revise a route on public land as they determine to be necessary to address changes to conditions (Section 4(a)(5)).
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Environmental review limitations: Road closures or the establishment of new roads may be categorically excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, provided there are no extraordinary circumstances (Section 4(b)(4)).
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+8Good For Rural Residents+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+8
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+5Improves Environmental Protections-3
- 2/12/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 10/3/2025
- 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.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah