Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act
Sponsored By: Representative Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create the _Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area_ to conserve coastal ecosystems and expand outdoor recreation and heritage tourism along the Upper and Middle Texas Gulf Coast. It aims to protect natural and cultural resources while supporting local economies and rural communities.
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- Families and coastal communities: Would expand public access and outdoor opportunities, including hunting and fishing, and promote heritage tourism to help local economies and rural towns near the coast.
- Private landowners and resource users: Participation is voluntary and requires landowner consent. Federal land acquisition is limited to willing sellers or donations and the bill preserves state and local jurisdiction and existing uses, including federally authorized channels, pipelines, and reserved mineral rights.
- Local governments, partners, and funding: Would form a Lone Star Coastal Partnership with up to 31 members to make an Integrated Resource Management Plan within three years. Cooperative projects would be capped at 25 percent Federal funding and require a 3:1 non-Federal to Federal match, with donated funds spent only under an approved Plan.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Create and plan the Recreation Area
If enacted, the bill would create the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area once the Secretary finds enough lands or interests are acquired. The bill would require a Partnership to be formed and submit an integrated resource management Plan within 3 years. The Governor would get a 90-day review and the Secretary must act within 90 days, with set resubmission steps if disapproved. No federal funds under the Act could be spent until the Secretary approves the Plan, and Congress could appropriate "such sums as may be necessary" to support planning, interpretation, marketing, and Partnership operations.
Protect landowner and local authority rights
If enacted, private landowners could only join the Network with written consent and voluntary documentation. The Secretary could acquire land only from willing sellers by donation, purchase with donated funds, exchange, or transfer from another federal agency; condemnation would be prohibited. The bill would preserve State and local jurisdiction, local taxes, and emergency response access, and it would not let the Recreation Area designation alone trigger new rules like Endangered Species Act listings or Clean Air Act Class I designation. Grantors could reserve oil, gas, and other removable mineral rights subject to reasonable regulations.
Limited federal grants and project rules
If enacted, the Secretary would be able to provide technical and financial help for projects that follow the approved Plan. Federal money could pay no more than 25% of a project's cost and must be matched by at least $3 of non‑Federal funds for every $1 Federal. Large acquisitions paid with federal funds must follow federal procurement rules and include agreements that require repayment if the project is later used in ways inconsistent with the Act. The Secretary would also be allowed to build visitor or administrative facilities on willing non‑Federal lands, subject to available appropriations or donated funds.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38]
TX • R
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
TX • R
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36]
TX • R
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/30/2026
Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov