# 119-hr-7979: Public Lands Access Restoration Act

119-hr-7979, Public Lands Access Restoration Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5] (R-CO); status in_committee (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7979
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-7979
- Congress: 119
- Title: Public Lands Access Restoration Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2026-03-18
- Sponsor: Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5] (R-CO)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**A default-open framework for motorized access** would make Forest Service and BLM roads and trails presumed open to off-highway vehicles, while setting strict rules for any closures and creating a public route-nomination process. This bill also would set timelines for agency action and require clear signs, maps, and public notices before restricting motorized use. - Motorized users and recreationists: Would gain a presumption that designated National Forest and BLM roads and trails are open to ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and similar vehicles. Any closure would need clear and convincing evidence and narrow scope. - Local communities and wildfire response teams: Proposals that improve connectivity or enhance access for fuels reduction and wildfire response get priority. Agencies must expedite conversions of administrative or closed roads to motorized trails, with a 90-day maximum review for those requests. - Agency operations and conservation safeguards: Agencies would have 180 days to adopt the default-open rule and implementing regs and must use signed notices, update digital and printed maps, publish Federal Register and local notices, and provide a 30-day public comment period. Restrictions must be reviewed at least every 5 years and applied only to the smallest area needed.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3] (R-UT), 2026-03-18T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Default open motorized access for public lands: benefit, medium. This bill would make most Forest Service and BLM roads and trails presumptively open to motorized use. The relevant Secretary (Agriculture for National Forest roads; Interior for BLM roads) would have to issue rules within 180 days. Agencies could only close a covered road or trail if clear and con…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-471: Fix Our Forests Act
- 119-hr-7613: ALERT Act
- 119-hr-1163: Prove It Act
- 119-hr-9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-5509: Safe Step Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-7979 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7979)

## Related
- [119-hr-471: Fix Our Forests Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-471)
- [119-hr-7613: ALERT Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7613)
- [119-hr-1163: Prove It Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1163)
- [119-hr-9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9298)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-5509: Safe Step Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5509)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7979 (as of 2026-04-21).