Legis Daily

Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-3695| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2026
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (3)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation amends Public Law 96-586, known as the Santini-Burton Act, to modernize the authority of the Forest Service regarding land acquisition and administration within the Lake Tahoe Basin. It incorporates new findings acknowledging the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California's historical connection to the Basin and the challenges posed by their limited land ownership for cultural access. The bill expands the Act's purpose to include land management alongside acquisition. A key provision allows funds appropriated for land acquisition to also be used by the Secretary of Agriculture for land management activities on acquired land and National Forest System land within the Lake Tahoe Basin. These activities encompass maintaining forest health, water quality, preserving cultural sites, and preventing recreational environmental impacts. The bill also permits the transfer of these funds to State or local governments or the Washoe Tribe for similar land management activities on transferred land. The legislation authorizes the Forest Service to enter into partnerships with various entities, including the Washoe Tribe, to implement these land management activities and develop projects for public access, including to culturally significant land. An annual spending plan must be developed by the Forest Supervisor, in consultation with stakeholders like the Washoe Tribe, based on criteria such as environmental threshold achievement. Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of acquisition funds directly to the Washoe Tribe for acquiring and managing land of cultural significance to the Tribe in the Lake Tahoe Basin, ensuring these funds supplement existing resources and can serve as non-Federal matching funds.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 27, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7255
Introduced in House
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 27, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • January 27, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7255
    Introduced in House


  • January 27, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 27, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-7255: Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026
CaliforniaIntergovernmental relationsLand transfersLand use and conservationNevada

Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-3695| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2026
This legislation amends Public Law 96-586, known as the Santini-Burton Act, to modernize the authority of the Forest Service regarding land acquisition and administration within the Lake Tahoe Basin. It incorporates new findings acknowledging the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California's historical connection to the Basin and the challenges posed by their limited land ownership for cultural access. The bill expands the Act's purpose to include land management alongside acquisition. A key provision allows funds appropriated for land acquisition to also be used by the Secretary of Agriculture for land management activities on acquired land and National Forest System land within the Lake Tahoe Basin. These activities encompass maintaining forest health, water quality, preserving cultural sites, and preventing recreational environmental impacts. The bill also permits the transfer of these funds to State or local governments or the Washoe Tribe for similar land management activities on transferred land. The legislation authorizes the Forest Service to enter into partnerships with various entities, including the Washoe Tribe, to implement these land management activities and develop projects for public access, including to culturally significant land. An annual spending plan must be developed by the Forest Supervisor, in consultation with stakeholders like the Washoe Tribe, based on criteria such as environmental threshold achievement. Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of acquisition funds directly to the Washoe Tribe for acquiring and managing land of cultural significance to the Tribe in the Lake Tahoe Basin, ensuring these funds supplement existing resources and can serve as non-Federal matching funds.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 27, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7255
Introduced in House
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 27, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • January 27, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7255
    Introduced in House


  • January 27, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 27, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (3)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-7255: Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
CaliforniaIntergovernmental relationsLand transfersLand use and conservationNevada