Public Access Protection Act

Laura Friedman

Democrat · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

2026-06-18

Source: Congress.gov

When the Army Corps of Engineers plans major water projects like dams or waterway improvements, they would have to create a plan ensuring that public recreational areas—like fishing spots, boat launches, and parks—remain accessible at the same level as before the project. This requirement would apply to all final recommendations for such projects and would protect outdoor recreation opportunities for the general public who use these areas. The bill affects the Corps of Engineers, local communities that depend on public water access, and recreational users.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9348 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9348 To require the Secretary of the Army to include in any final recommendation for a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers a plan to maintain equivalent levels of access to existing public recreational amenities, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 18, 2026 Ms. Friedman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of the Army to include in any final recommendation for a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers a plan to maintain equivalent levels of access to existing public recreational amenities, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Public Access Protection Act''. SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the sense of Congress that, during construction of a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers that affects a public recreational amenity, including a park, a trail, a green space, a recreational waterway, and any other public open space, the Secretary of the Army should-- (1) maintain an equivalent level of recreational access to such public recreational amenity; (2) minimize temporary disruptions to such access through project planning and coordination with affected communities; and (3) provide alternative public access where necessary to ensure continued recreational opportunities for the duration of such construction. SEC. 3. RECREATIONAL ACCESS PRESERVATION PLAN. To the maximum extent practicable, in carrying out a feasibility study for a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers, the Secretary shall-- (1) review the potential impact of construction of the project on existing public recreational amenities, including facilities for hiking, biking, walking, and waterborne recreation; and (2) include in any final recommendation for such project a plan to maintain an equivalent level of access to such amenities during construction of the project. <all>

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