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S3720FEDERALSession 119Federal Billon floor

Senate Bill directs feasibility study for designating Bay Area Ridge Trail as a national scenic trail

Original title: Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act

Last action · September 17, 2026: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 666.Sponsors: Adam Schiff and 1 other

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What This Bill Would Do

The Secretary of the Interior is required to conduct and submit a within one year to determine whether to designate the 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail as a . The study must involve consultation with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council as well as relevant federal and state land-managing agencies.

Why it matters

Initiates a formal federal review process that could change the administrative status, federal oversight eligibility, and funding prospects for a multi-use trail network spanning over 75 regional parks and open spaces in northern California.

Background
  • The National Trails System Act governs the creation and designation of national scenic, historic, and recreation trails across the United States. context
  • The Bay Area Ridge Trail is an existing multi-use trail network surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area designed for hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and other nonmotorized users. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Bay Area Ridge Trail Council

The organization is explicitly named to be consulted by the Secretary of the Interior during the conduct of the feasibility study.

Directly affected

Federal and State Land-Administering Agencies

Agencies that administer land through which the trail passes must be consulted during the preparation of the study.

Directly affected

Secretary of the Interior

Assigned the statutory duty to complete and submit the feasibility study to Congress within one year.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the bill require the Secretary of the Interior to do?
The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct and submit a to Congress on designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a .
How long does the Secretary have to complete the study?
The study must be completed and submitted not later than 1 year after the date of enactment.
Who must be consulted during the feasibility study?
The Secretary must consult with interested organizations, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, as well as each federal and state agency that administers land through which the trail passes.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.

Procedural history

6 actions
  1. Sep 17, 2026Senate
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 666.
  2. Sep 17, 2026Senate
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  3. Jul 29, 2026Senate
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  4. Jul 21, 2026Senate
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
  5. Jan 28, 2026SenateCommittee
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  6. Jan 28, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Introduced in Senate

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Adam SchiffSenateDPrimary sponsor
Alex PadillaSenateDCosponsor

Connected Entities

Bay Trail, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, California and 7 more
otherBay Trail“Connector trail connecting to the Bay Area Ridge Trail.”Map →
OrganizationSenate Energy and Natural Resources Committee“Senate committee to which the bill was referred.”Map →
locationCalifornia“State where the trail is located.”Map →
otherVine Trail“Connector trail connecting to the Bay Area Ridge Trail.”Map →
otherCoyote Creek Trail“Connector trail connecting to the Bay Area Ridge Trail.”Map →
locationSan Francisco Bay Area“Region surrounding the trail network in northern California.”Map →
locationGolden Gate National Recreation Area“Scenic, historic, and cultural quality along the trail route.”Map →
OrganizationBay Area Ridge Trail Council“Organization to be consulted during the feasibility study.”Map →
otherNational Trails System Act“Statute amended by the bill.”Map →
otherSecretary of the Interior“Required to conduct and submit the feasibility study.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.congress.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance35
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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