# 119-s-3526: PUBLIC Lands Act

119-s-3526, PUBLIC Lands Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-25).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3526
- As of: 2026-10-25
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3526
- Congress: 119
- Title: PUBLIC Lands Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-12-17
- Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-25

## Summary

**Protect and restore California's public lands and rivers.** This bill would create a large restoration area in northwestern California, pair a new remediation partnership for lands harmed by illegal cultivation, and add many wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections across National Forest and BLM lands.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Large restoration area and plans: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would create the South Fork Trinity–Mad River Restoration Area of about 871,414 acres and withdraw it from certain mining, leasing, and land disposal laws, subject to valid existing rights. The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior would have to deliver a joint restoratio…
- Protect PG&E rights and access: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would say it does not cancel valid Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) rights‑of‑way for normal operation, maintenance, upgrades, repairs, or replacement of listed utility facilities. The Secretary would have to publish plans, in consultation with PG&E, for regular and emer…
- Allow water facilities in wilderness: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a special use authorization to an owner of a water transport or diversion facility inside the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness so the owner can keep operating, maintaining, and rebuilding it. To qualify, the facility must have exi…
- More trails, visitor centers, lodging: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would authorize visitor centers in Weaverville and Del Norte County and require feasibility studies for mountain-biking and other nonmotorized trails and for certain motorized trail connections. Studies would generally be due within 3 years after funds are available. If the Sec…
- New river protections and classifications: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would add many California river and creek segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and classify them as wild, scenic, or recreational as listed. Each segment would be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior as specified. Some…
- California land remediation partnership: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would create a California Public Land Remediation Partnership to coordinate cleanup of Federal lands harmed by illegal activities, including illegal marijuana cultivation. The partnership could hire staff, accept federal and non‑federal funds, and—subject to the Secretary of Ag…
- New Special Management Area rules: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would create three Special Management Areas (Horse Mountain ~7,482 acres, Sanhedrin ~12,254 acres, Fox Mountain ~41,082 acres). The Secretary would have to write management plans within 5 years. Grazing established before enactment could continue under regulation, but motorized…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-1462: Fix Our Forests Act
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-4949: Water Resources Development Act of 2026
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-3526 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3526)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-1462: Fix Our Forests Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1462)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-4949: Water Resources Development Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4949)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3526 (as of 2026-10-25).