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Congress·Reported·3 months ago

Public Land Rules: Restricting Comments to U.S. Citizens

Also known as: American Voices in Federal Lands Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Key Points

  • 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.

Milestones

3 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.

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)

Jul 10, 2025

Introduced in Senate

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.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(7)
R: 7

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.