Sponsors (8)
The bill tightens procedural controls and keeps current land rules in place while restricting public input to U.S. citizens and adding access controls, trading broader and potentially more expert or local-inclusive participation for stronger domestic-focused procedures and predictability in Bureau land rulemaking.
All federal rulemaking for these Bureau lands will follow the Administrative Procedure Act, giving state governments and affected parties standardized procedures, required notices, and clearer legal due process during rule changes.
Existing land-management rules will remain in effect 'to the maximum extent practicable' until new rules are finalized, providing regulatory continuity and predictable requirements for rural communities and state governments during the transition.
Rulemaking will be limited to considering input from U.S. citizens, focusing decision-making on domestic stakeholders and reducing the weight of comments from noncitizen or foreign-based commentators.
Non‑U.S. residents and noncitizen local stakeholders (including nearby foreign communities, noncitizen tribal members, and foreign-based experts) would be barred from having their public comments considered, reducing the breadth and technical quality of input used in land-management decisions.
Requiring CAPTCHA systems for submitting public input creates a technical access barrier that may deter or block participation by older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals who have limited internet access or technology skills.
Excluding application of 5 U.S.C. §553(a)(2) in some respects could remove narrow notice-and-comment exemptions, potentially increasing administrative burden on agencies and raising the risk of procedural litigation over rulemaking approach.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Limits rulemaking public comments on Bureau-managed federal lands to U.S. citizens, requires CAPTCHA verification to deter AI submissions, and mandates APA procedures while retaining current rules until replaced.
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to narrow who may participate in public involvement for Bureau-managed public lands by limiting consideration of comments to "citizens of the United States" and by requiring an automated verification (CAPTCHA) to deter AI-generated submissions. It also replaces the existing rulemaking provision to require adherence to the Administrative Procedure Act (with a limited exception) and directs that existing rules remain in effect to the maximum extent practicable until new rules are issued.
Introduced July 10, 2025 by John A. Barrasso · Last progress July 10, 2025