This bill would change how the government gathers feedback when making rules for federal lands, such as those managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest System.
Under this proposal, the government would only be allowed to consider public comments from U.S. citizens. Currently, federal agencies generally accept and review comments from any interested person or group, regardless of their citizenship status.
To prevent computer programs or artificial intelligence from flooding the system with fake feedback, the bill requires the government to use 'CAPTCHA' tests—the 'I am not a robot' boxes—on websites where people submit their opinions.
The bill aims to ensure that the voices of Americans are the only ones influencing how public lands are used for activities like recreation, ranching, and energy production.
If passed, this would represent a major shift in how federal agencies interact with the public, potentially excluding legal residents who are not yet citizens or international researchers from the decision-making process.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
4 milestones4 actions
Dec 17, 2025Senate
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Dec 2, 2025Senate
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Jul 10, 2025Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S4317-4318)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Jul 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes, news coverage, or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
American Voices in Federal Lands Act
Bill NumberS 2262
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
