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To amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve certain public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

USA119th CongressHR-8686| House 
| Updated: 6/10/2026
Paul A. Gosar

Paul A. Gosar

Republican Representative

Arizona

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve approximately 22,000 acres of public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. Specifically, it includes about 21,783 acres near Highway 95 (excluding Arizona's subsurface estate) and 249 acres at Howard Cantonment. This land is reserved for the Secretary of the Army to support military readiness and security, aligning with purposes outlined in a 1952 Public Land Order. The withdrawal is for an indefinite period or until the Secretary of the Army determines there is no longer a military need. This action removes the land from public land laws, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing. The Secretary of the Interior is primarily responsible for managing the withdrawn land, adhering to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and other applicable laws, but may assign this responsibility to the Secretary of the Army. Management permits various activities such as wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, recreation, and public access , provided they are consistent with military use. Non-defense uses and the issuance of leases or easements generally require the consent of the Secretary of the Army and must incorporate conditions to protect defense-related activities. However, the bill establishes a specific exception for a utility corridor , allowing the Secretary of the Interior to issue rights-of-way for critical regional-grid utility infrastructure without Army consent, though consultation is required to minimize mission impacts. This utility corridor authority cannot be delegated below the Bureau of Land Management State Director or assigned to the Army.
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Timeline
May 7, 2026
Introduced in House
May 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.
May 12, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
May 21, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 10, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 10, 2026
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Jun 10, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • May 7, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 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.


  • May 12, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • May 21, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • June 10, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.


  • June 10, 2026
    Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged


  • June 10, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Public Lands and Natural Resources

To amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve certain public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

USA119th CongressHR-8686| House 
| Updated: 6/10/2026
This bill amends the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve approximately 22,000 acres of public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. Specifically, it includes about 21,783 acres near Highway 95 (excluding Arizona's subsurface estate) and 249 acres at Howard Cantonment. This land is reserved for the Secretary of the Army to support military readiness and security, aligning with purposes outlined in a 1952 Public Land Order. The withdrawal is for an indefinite period or until the Secretary of the Army determines there is no longer a military need. This action removes the land from public land laws, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing. The Secretary of the Interior is primarily responsible for managing the withdrawn land, adhering to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and other applicable laws, but may assign this responsibility to the Secretary of the Army. Management permits various activities such as wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, recreation, and public access , provided they are consistent with military use. Non-defense uses and the issuance of leases or easements generally require the consent of the Secretary of the Army and must incorporate conditions to protect defense-related activities. However, the bill establishes a specific exception for a utility corridor , allowing the Secretary of the Interior to issue rights-of-way for critical regional-grid utility infrastructure without Army consent, though consultation is required to minimize mission impacts. This utility corridor authority cannot be delegated below the Bureau of Land Management State Director or assigned to the Army.
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Timeline
May 7, 2026
Introduced in House
May 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.
May 12, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
May 21, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 10, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 10, 2026
Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Jun 10, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • May 7, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 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.


  • May 12, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • May 21, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • June 10, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.


  • June 10, 2026
    Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged


  • June 10, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Paul A. Gosar

Paul A. Gosar

Republican Representative

Arizona

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted