To adjust the boundary of Big Bend National Park in the State of Texas, and for other purposes.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill adjusts the boundary of Big Bend National Park in Texas to allow the addition of approximately 6,100 acres of land. The Secretary of the Interior can only acquire these lands through voluntary donation or exchange - the government cannot use eminent domain or condemnation to force property owners to sell.
Who Benefits and How
The National Park Service benefits by gaining authority to expand Big Bend National Park, one of Texas's premier natural areas. Conservation groups and park visitors would benefit from additional protected land. Willing landowners within the boundary adjustment area would have the option to voluntarily sell or exchange their property to the federal government, potentially at favorable terms.
Who Bears the Burden and How
This bill imposes minimal burdens. Since land acquisition is limited to voluntary transactions only, no private landowners can be forced to give up their property. There is no direct appropriation of taxpayer funds in the bill itself, though future land purchases would require separate funding. Administrative costs to the National Park Service for managing acquired lands would be modest.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 6,100 acres for Big Bend National Park
- Limits acquisition methods to donation or exchange only - explicitly prohibits use of eminent domain
- Requires acquired lands to be administered as part of the Park under existing National Park Service laws
- References a specific boundary map (dated November 2022) to define the expansion area
- Provides for public inspection of the boundary map at National Park Service offices
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
The bill aims to adjust the boundary of Big Bend National Park in Texas, allowing for land acquisition through donation or exchange while prohibiting eminent domain.
Key Policy Areas
Environment
Primary Purpose
The bill aims to adjust the boundary of Big Bend National Park in Texas, allowing for land acquisition through donation or exchange while prohibiting eminent domain.
Policy Domains
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Tony Gonzales of Texas introduced the following bill; which …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Landowners within the adjusted boundary area, Landowners within the designated tracts (Tracts to Include in Boundary)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Interior
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Secretary of the Interior.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology