Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
Transparency in Federal Land Acquisitions Act
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Transparency in Federal Land Acquisitions Act," aims to change how land protection plans are handled. It requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to follow specific steps when preparing these plans. Specifically, the Director must publish proposed plans in the Federal Register at least 60 days before they are finalized. Additionally, the bill mandates that interested people be given a chance to submit written comments regarding the draft plans. There is an exception for certain small expansions of National Wildlife Refuge System units.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to publish proposed plans in the Federal Register for public review.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill mandates public notice and comment periods for the preparation of land protection plans for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill increases transparency and public oversight in the development of land protection plans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: By requiring the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to publish proposed land protection plans in the Federal Register, the bill provides advance notice of intended actions (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Public Participation: The bill ensures that interested persons have the opportunity to submit their written data, views, or arguments regarding a draft land protection plan (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Advance Warning: Providing notice at least 60 days before a plan is finalized gives the public a set timeframe to respond to proposed changes (Section 2(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exceptions to Public Input: The requirement for notice and comment does not apply to land protection plans involving proposed expansions to a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System if the expansion is less than 50 acres or 15 percent of the total acreage of the unit (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill mandates public notice and comment periods for the preparation of land protection plans for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill increases transparency and public oversight in the development of land protection plans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to publish proposed plans in the Federal Register for public review.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Providing notice and comment periods gives rural residents more opportunity to influence land protection plans near their communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Increased transparency in land protection plans may provide more insight into future land uses affecting housing availability.
- 2/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi