Legislative Hearing on H.R. 6778, H.R. 7618, H.R. 7951 and H.R. 7979

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on March 27, 2026, to consider four bills related to public lands management, forest health, and historic battlefield preservation. Key procurement-related discussions focused on the Long Term Good Neighbor Authority Act (HR 7951), which aims to extend cooperative forest management agreements from ten to twenty years, enabling states, tribes, and counties to better plan and invest in forest restoration projects. Witnesses, including state foresters and federal agency representatives, emphasized the importance of revenue retention from timber sales to sustain these efforts and urged the Senate to pass related legislation such as the Fix Our Forests Act to allow reinvestment in road construction critical for forest management. The Public Lands Access Restoration Act (HR 7979) was also discussed, proposing a policy shift to presume motorized trails and roads open unless posted closed, to improve recreational access and support local economies. The Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act (HR 6778) was examined, which would authorize speed cameras on National Park Service roads and allow retention of generated revenues for maintenance and safety improvements. The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act (HR 7618) was highlighted for reauthorizing and strengthening battlefield preservation grants, with discussions on cost-sharing adjustments and expanding the program's scope. The hearing included testimony from federal officials expressing support for some bills while noting concerns about funding and administrative impacts. Several members underscored the need for bipartisan cooperation and technical assistance to refine the legislation and ensure effective implementation.