John Cornyn (R-TX)
Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 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 establishes the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area as a new unit of the National Park System along the Upper and Middle Texas Gulf Coast. It sets up a Lone Star Coastal Partnership to help develop and implement an Integrated Resource Management Plan for the area. The bill emphasizes local control and relies strictly on voluntary land participation from willing owners. It specifically prohibits the government from acquiring any land through condemnation. Additionally, the legislation outlines various savings provisions to protect private property rights and existing industrial or flood control operations.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
It establishes a structured partnership and an Integrated Resource Management Plan to manage and preserve regional natural and cultural resources.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The legislation establishes the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area to conserve, protect, and manage natural coastal ecosystems.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The legislation emphasizes local control, voluntary participation, and economic support for rural communities along the Texas coast.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Private Property and Existing Rules: Section 8(b) explicitly states that landowners will not be subject to any new regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, as a consequence of the new designation. This protects private citizens from unexpected bureaucratic burdens.
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No Condemnation of Land: Section 4(d)(3) ensures that no land or interest in land may be acquired by condemnation. This safeguards personal property rights by guaranteeing that the government cannot force landowners to sell their property.
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Promotion of Outdoor Recreation: Section 2(1) promotes the expansion of access and opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, conservation, and heritage tourism. This benefits local communities and individuals who enjoy outdoor activities by supporting the local economy and rural areas.
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Voluntary Participation: Section 4(g)(1) specifies that a parcel, site, or resource may only be included in the Network with the written consent of the landowner. This gives everyday citizens and property owners complete control over whether their land is involved.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial and Matching Requirements: Section 5(d)(3)(C) requires that any Federal funds made available under a cooperative agreement must be matched by at least three non-Federal dollars for every one Federal dollar. This could place a heavy financial burden on local partners or non-Federal entities trying to secure funding for local projects.
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Reimbursement Penalties: Section 5(d)(3)(B) dictates that if a funded project is later used for purposes inconsistent with the Act, the United States has the right to demand reimbursement for the greater of the original Federal amount provided or the increase in the project's value. This strict penalty could create financial risks for project operators if local conditions or needs change.
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? — It establishes a structured partnership and an Integrated Resource Management Plan to manage and preserve regional natural and cultural resources. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The legislation establishes the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area to conserve, protect, and manage natural coastal ecosystems. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill specifically aims to support rural communities and the local economy through heritage tourism and resource management.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation emphasizes local control, voluntary participation, and economic support for rural communities along the Texas coast. Would business owners be better off under this? — Local business owners and tourism operators benefit from provisions promoting regional heritage tourism and outdoor recreation. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Expanded outdoor recreation and conservation areas benefit seniors who enjoy nature and heritage tourism.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill promotes heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, and the local coastal economy. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Support for regional tourism and outdoor recreation benefits local small businesses and commercial enterprises.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill ensures strong local and state participation, relying on voluntary landowner agreements and prohibiting land acquisition by condemnation. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The Act requires transparent public planning processes, public notice for closures, and adherence to competitive bidding requirements for large acquisitions.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 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.