Public Lands in Public Hands Act

This proposal aims to keep public lands open to everyone by blocking most transfers of federally managed land to non‑federal owners if the land is open to the public or sits next to land that is open to the public. Public access can be by road, trail, waterway, easement, or right‑of‑way.

Some small parcels could still be transferred if allowed by existing federal land laws, and transfers allowed under specific laws would continue. The bill also allows land swaps that federal law already permits. Agencies cannot slice up land to dodge these limits. It does not change or decide the rules about “corner crossing” between public parcels.

• Who is affected: People who use public lands; nearby communities; the Interior Department and Forest Service; and non‑federal groups interested in acquiring federal land.
• What changes: Limits most transfers of publicly accessible federal land; keeps current exceptions under specific laws (for example, the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act and the Recreation and Public Purposes Act); and allows certain small‑parcel transfers if permitted by law.
• When: The timing isn’t specified in the provided text.