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119-s-2262119th Congress

American Voices in Federal Lands Act

Sponsored By: Senator Barrasso, John [R-WY]

In Committee

Summary

Would limit which public comments count by requiring agencies to consider only comments from U.S. citizens on certain public-land rulemakings. It also clarifies federal land rulemaking authority and adds a basic tech check to deter automated input.

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  • Families and public commenters: Would limit official consideration of Bureau of Land Management rulemaking comments to those submitted by citizens of the United States. This changes which members of the public can be counted in formal rulemaking records.
  • Federal land managers and agencies: Would authorize the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules for public lands and the National Forest System and require rulemaking to follow chapter 5 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code, narrowing reliance on section 553(a)(2).
  • Administration of land rules: Would require lands to be managed under existing regulations to the maximum extent practicable before issuing new rules.
  • Public input integrity: Would require the Bureau of Land Management to implement a CAPTCHA process to deter public comments driven by artificial intelligence.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New rulemaking rules for public lands

If enacted, the bill would require the Interior Secretary and the Agriculture Secretary to write rules for public lands and national forests. Those rules would follow chapter 5 of title 5 of the U.S. Code, but could be made without regard to one exception in section 553(a)(2). Before new rules take effect, lands should be run under current rules to the maximum extent practicable. These rulemaking steps would apply to Bureau-managed lands subject to the bill's public-involvement rules.

Only U.S. citizens can comment

If enacted, the bill would let the Bureau count only comments from U.S. citizens when making rules for public lands. It would also require the Bureau to use CAPTCHA checks in any public involvement to try to block fake or AI-made comments.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Barrasso, John [R-WY]

WY • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2025

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2025

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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