Sponsors (4)
Last progress January 8, 2026 (4 weeks ago)
Introduced on January 16, 2025 by Carlos A. Gimenez
2 meetings related to this legislation
Adds a specific portion of Everglades National Park to the Miccosukee Reserved Area and requires the Secretary (working with the Tribe) to take steps to protect structures in that added area from flooding. The new boundary is defined by an official map dated July 2023, which must be made available for public inspection and filed with Miami‑Dade County and the Tribe. The Secretary must complete flood‑protection actions within two years of the law taking effect.
Amend Section 4(4) of the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act by adding new text at the end that expands the defined Miccosukee Reserved Area.
Define the additional area as the portion of the Park known as and depicted on the map entitled "Miccosukee Reserved Area" (also referenced as "MRA", "Osceola Camp", and "Everglades National Park, Proposed Expansion–Miccosukee Reserved Area, Osceola Camp"), map number 160/188443, dated July 2023.
Require that copies of the map depicting the additional area be kept available for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service.
Require that copies of the map be filed with the appropriate officers of Miami‑Dade County and with the Tribe.
The Secretary, in consultation with the Tribe, must take appropriate actions to protect structures within the area described in section 4(4)(C) from flooding. This requirement must be fulfilled not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8693)
Updated 18 hours ago
Last progress February 20, 2025 (11 months ago)
Who is affected and how:
• Miccosukee Tribe (directly affected): The Tribe gains a formally added portion of Everglades National Park designated as Miccosukee Reserved Area on an official map. This clarifies boundary and rights tied to the reserved area and directs federal action to protect structures inside the newly added zone.
• National Park Service / Department of the Interior (implementing agencies): Must file and make the map publicly available, coordinate with Miami‑Dade County and the Tribe, plan and carry out flood‑protection measures, and meet the 2‑year completion deadline. Implementation will draw on NPS/DOI staff, planning, and potentially construction resources; absent specific funding, the agencies may need to reprogram existing funds or seek appropriations.
• Miami‑Dade County and local government: Receive a filed copy of the official map for local records; may be asked to coordinate permits, local infrastructure adjustments, or planning related to flood‑protection work in the added area.
• Owners/operators of structures in the added area (residents, tribal facilities, infrastructure): Expected to benefit from required flood‑protection actions (e.g., elevation, drainage, barriers). The law directs federal action to protect these structures; it does not require owners to carry out the work themselves.
• Local communities and park visitors: Effects are localized. Boundary change and protective measures could slightly alter park management, access, or visitor use in the affected subsection, but no broad change to park status or public access is mandated beyond the map filing and protective actions.
Practical and fiscal considerations: • Funding: The statute directs action but does not appropriate funds or specify cost sharing. This creates potential implementation risk if agency budgets are limited; work could be delayed until funding or interagency agreements are secured.
• Permits and environmental review: Physical flood‑protection measures may trigger environmental reviews (e.g., NEPA) and require coordination with federal, state, and local permitting authorities, which can affect the schedule.
• Timeline and deliverables: The 2‑year completion requirement is a clear deadline; agencies must plan design, permitting, contracting, and construction within that timeframe, which is relatively short for infrastructure projects in sensitive natural areas.
Overall impact: The bill is narrowly targeted and provides a statutory directive that benefits the Tribe and property/structures in the added area while imposing implementation tasks on the NPS/Department of the Interior. The main practical uncertainty is how implementation will be funded and scheduled alongside environmental and permitting requirements.
Vetoed by President Donald J. Trump.
The legislation returns to Congress, which may attempt to override the veto.