Thomas Tillis (R-NC)
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025'', aims to amend the National Trails System Act. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study regarding the designation of the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. The trail covers approximately 287 miles through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The study must be completed and submitted to Congress within one year of the paragraph's enactment. This process involves consultation with interested organizations, such as the Benton MacKaye Trail Association.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill focuses on preserving and recognizing a scenic wilderness area.
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The trail supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities.
- Scored +1
Does this invest in rural communities?
The trail supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Opportunities: The bill notes that the trail supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities through visitor spending on food, accommodations, and outdoor supplies (Section 2, Paragraph 6).
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Recreation and Accessibility: The trail provides a wide array of hikes for novice, intermediate, and experienced backpackers and is described as physically accessible (Section s 2, Paragraphs 5 and 8).
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Scenic and Natural Value: The trail traverses renowned forests and mountains, offering scenic views like high-elevation peaks and waterfalls, while passing through wilderness rich with biodiversity (Section 2, Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
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 air, water and wildlife? — The bill focuses on preserving and recognizing a scenic wilderness area. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The study looks into the designation of a national scenic trail on federal land. Does this invest in rural communities? — The trail supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The trail supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Local businesses benefit from increased visitor spending on food and supplies.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill promotes economic activity through outdoor recreation and tourism. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The trail provides economic opportunities for local businesses via visitor spending. Is this likely to create jobs? — The trail supports economic opportunities and visitor spending in rural communities.
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/27/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 9/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2 Cosponsors 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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia