Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act
Sponsored By: Representative Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
In Committee
Summary
Redesignates Ocmulgee Mounds as a National Park. The bill would convert the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park into a unit of the National Park System and create a framework for tribal partnership, a land-into-trust transfer, and protections for traditional cultural sites.
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- Indian tribes: The Secretary would be required to preserve and expand tribal consultation, pursue cooperative agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other interested tribes, and seek to increase tribal employment in the park. On request by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation the Secretary would take about 133.9 acres held in fee into trust within 180 days; that land would join the Muscogee Creek Indian Reservation and may not be used for class II or class III gaming.
- Visitors and local communities: The park would be administered under National Park Service rules and authorize fishing in park waters subject to Federal and State law. The Secretary could set zones or times when fishing is closed for safety, management, or emergencies after consulting the State.
- State and administration: The bill fixes park boundaries on an official map (May 2026) that must be available for public inspection and preserves the State's authority to manage fish and wildlife on lands and waters within the State.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More tribal partnerships and jobs
If enacted, this bill would let the Interior Secretary enter into agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other tribes to manage and protect the park. The Secretary would be required to protect traditional cultural and religious sites and allow access for tribal members with ancestral ties to the Ocmulgee River Corridor. The Secretary would also be directed, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with law, to seek to increase job opportunities for tribe members at the park.
Rename park and set official map
If enacted, this bill would rename Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as Ocmulgee Mounds National Park. The bill would treat existing legal references to the old name as references to the new name. It would set the official park map as map number 363/193026 dated May 2026, allow the Secretary to make technical corrections, and require the map be kept on file for public inspection. The bill would also define key terms, including how the Secretary should determine which tribes have cultural affiliation after tribal consultation.
New park fishing and wildlife rules
If enacted, this bill would allow fishing in waters managed by the Interior inside the park, subject to Federal and Georgia law. The Secretary would be able to set zones or times when fishing is not allowed for safety, fish or wildlife management, or emergencies. The Secretary must consult the State of Georgia before putting such restrictions into effect. The bill would not change State authority over fish and wildlife or hunting on private land.
Take land into trust for Muscogee Nation
If enacted, this bill would require the Interior Secretary, at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's request, to take about 133.88 acres of fee land into trust for the Nation within 180 days. The land would become part of the Muscogee Creek Indian Reservation and be administered under federal trust law. The bill would prohibit using that land for class II or class III gaming.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
GA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11]
GA • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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