Legislative hearing on H.R. 3924, H.R. 5095, H.R. 5419, H.R. 5729, H.R. 6365, H.R. 6380 and H.R. __
2025-12-11
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Source: Congress.gov
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Recess of the subcommittee at any time. Subcommittee is meeting today to consider seven bills, H.R. 3924, 5095, 5419, 5729, 6365, and 6380, plus a discussion draft of the American Products and Parks Act by Representative Gottheimer. I ask unanimous consent that the following members be allowed to participate in today's hearing from the dais. The gentlemen. from Arizona, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Siscamani, and Mr. Crane, the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Gottheimer and Mr. Keene, the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. McGuire, and the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Petronas. Without objection, so ordered. Under Committee Rule 4F, any oral opening statements at hearings are limited to the chairman and the ranking minority member I therefore ask unanimous consent that all other members' opening statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted in accordance with committee rule three, parent O. Without objection, so ordered.
I will now recognize myself for an opening statement. As 2025 comes to a close, I'd like to reflect on the work of the subcommittee. Federal Land Subcommittee has had seven bills signed into law this year. Collectively, these pieces of legislation open up millions of acres of land to multiple use in states like Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming, restored outdoor recreation access in Utah, and codified higher timber targets in the One Big Beautiful Bill. This subcommittee has been so productive, in fact, that we've had more bills signed into law this year than nine other full standing committees. Today, this subcommittee continues its work to strengthen the resilience of our communities, modernize critical infrastructure, and improve the management of America's public lands. The legislation before us addresses real and urgent needs, whether it be ensuring safe housing for military families, restoring fire damaged landscapes, expanding broadband access to rural communities, or celebrating the historic places that define our national heritage.
Each one confronts a problem made worse by outdated federal policies that delay recovery, hinder modernization, or simply fail to reflect the realities facing Americans on the ground. Today's agenda demonstrates this subcommittee's commitment to cutting through those barriers and empowering local communities, service members, and public land users across the country. We begin with legislation confronting one of the most serious natural resource challenges of our time. catastrophic wildfire.
Representatives Crane and McGuire, as well as Ranking Member Neguse, have each brought forward bills that respond to escalating dangers created by dying forests, worsening drought, and growing populations in the wildland-urban interface. Representative Crane's North Rim Restoration Act addresses the devastating damage from this year's Dragon Bravo fire, which destroyed iconic visitor facilities like the Grand Canyon Lodge, and crush the outdoor recreation economy in Northern Arizona. This thoughtful legislation gives the National Park Service the authority it needs to rebuild critical infrastructure, restore forest health, and reopen the North Rim for residents and visitors alike. Americans have enjoyed visiting this majestic crown jewel for generations, and they shouldn't have to wait years to have this important infrastructure rebuilt. Next, Representative McGuire's Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act responds to a deeply troubling public safety issue. The Wintergreen community in Virginia has just one road in and out of their community. As we've tragically seen in places like Lahaina, Paradise, and Los Angeles, a single choke point during an emergency can turn a natural disaster into a mass casualty event. This legislation provides a path forward for an emergency only evacuation route that will undoubtedly save countless lives. We will also consider reforms that streamline the federal permitting process and modernize essential infrastructure. Representative Keene's Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act tackles the overlapping duplicative permitting requirements that slow broadband construction on federal lands. By identifying choke points in the permitting process, this bill helps deliver high-speed internet to the Americans who need it most. Similarly, Representative Petronas' Homefront Act addresses a long-standing and deeply harmful problem, the application of the National Historic Preservation Act to thousands of aging military housing units.
These units were never intended to be preserved under historic property rules, but as a result of these rules, service members and their families today are living in homes plagued by mold, sewage overflows, broken security systems, and dangerous structural deficiencies. Routine repairs and replacements are held up by unnecessary bureaucracy. When those repairs do happen, reports have found that historic homes are 20 to 100% more expensive to operate and maintain compared to standard homes. The Homefront Act provides a no-cost fix that exempts most military housing from outdated requirements while protecting truly historic properties. It also prohibits non-disclosure agreements in privatized housing so that service members can speak openly about unsafe conditions. Finally, we turn to two bills that honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and celebrate America. Representatives Gottheimer and Hurd's American Products in Parks Act ensures that items sold in our national park gift shops are made here at home, supporting American workers, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and reflecting the spirit of American craftsmanship in places visited by millions each year. Representative Siskamani's Chiricahua National Park Act redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument as America's newest national park. This region, known by the Apache as the land of standing up rocks, is a geological and cultural treasure. Elevating its status will boost tourism, support gateway communities, and highlight its significance as part of the American story. Importantly, this legislation does not expand the monument's existing footprint and reflects thoughtful engagement with tribes to protect cultural and religious sites.
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