H.R. 5470

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Route 66 National Historic Trail, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · September 18, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. LaHood · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Table of contents

• H.R. 5470
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Designation of Route 66 National Historic Trail

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act.

SEC. 2. Designation of Route 66 National Historic Trail

• Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act () is amended— 16 U.S.C. 1244(a)
  • by redesignating the second paragraph (31) (relating to Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail) as paragraph (32); and
    • (33) Route 66 national historic trail
      • (A) In general
        • The Route 66 National Historic Trail, a trail that includes all the alignments of U.S. Highway 66 in existence between 1926 and 1985, extending along a route of approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, as generally depicted on the map entitled , numbered P26/141,279, and dated December 2017. Route 66 National Historic Trail, Proposed Route
      • (B) Availability of map
        • The map described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
      • (C) Administration
        • (i) The Route 66 National Historic Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service. Such administration shall be conducted in a manner that respects and maintains the idiosyncratic nature of the Route 66 National Historic Trail.
        • (ii) Consistent with Executive Order 13175 ( note; relating to consultation and coordination with Indian Tribal Governments) and all other applicable Federal law, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct active, meaningful, and timely consultation with all affected Indian Tribes prior to undertaking an activity with respect to the Route 66 National Historic Trail that would have substantial direct impacts on 1 or more Indian Tribes. 25 U.S.C. 5301
      • (D) Land acquisition
        • The United States may not acquire for the Route 66 National Historic Trail any land or interest in land—
          • (i) outside the exterior boundary of any federally managed area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land; or
          • (ii) that extends more than an average of one-quarter of a mile on either side of the trail.
      • (E) No buffer zone created
        • Nothing in this Act, the acquisition of the land or an interest in land authorized by this Act, or the management plan for the Route 66 National Historic Trail shall be construed to create buffer zones outside of the Trail. That activities or uses can be seen, heard, or detected from the acquired land shall not preclude, limit, control, regulate, or determine the conduct or management of activities or uses outside of the trail.
      • (F) Energy
        • Nothing in this Act, the acquisition of land or an interest in land authorized by this Act, or the management plan for the Route 66 National Historic Trail shall prohibit, hinder, or disrupt the current or future development, production, transportation, or transmission of energy, including the construction or maintenance of pipelines, renewable energy projects, or other infrastructure for the development, production, transportation, or transmission of energy.
      • (G) Eminent domain or condemnation
        • In carrying out this Act, the Secretary of the Interior may not use eminent domain or condemnation.
      • (H) Not a designation of
        • Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the designation of the Route 66 National Historic Trail by this paragraph shall not have the effect of designating the Route 66 National Historic Trail or any land on which the Route 66 National Historic Trail is located as for purposes of section 28(b)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act (). lands in the National Park System 30 U.S.C. 185(b)(1)
        • Not a designation of
      • (I) No new authorities or permit
        • (i) No effect on authority to grant easements or rights-of-way
          • Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the designation of the Route 66 National Historic Trail by this paragraph shall not alter or affect the existing authority of any Federal, State, or local agency or official to grant easements or rights-of-way over, under, across, or along any portion of the area designated as the Route 66 National Historic Trail.
          • Notwithstanding the designation of the Route 66 National Historic Trail by this paragraph, the head of any Federal agency having jurisdiction over any Federal land on which the Route 66 National Historic Trail designated by this paragraph is located (other than land that is considered to be for purposes of section 28(b)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act () as a result of a designation under any other law), shall have the authority to grant easements or rights-of-way over, under, across, or along any applicable portion of the Route 66 National Historic Trail in accordance with the laws applicable to the Federal land. lands in the National Park System 30 U.S.C. 185(b)(1)
          • (ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the designation of the Route 66 National Historic Trail by this paragraph shall not subject the Route 66 National Historic Trail or any land on which the Route 66 National Historic Trail is located to any other Federal laws (including regulations) requiring a Federal permit or authorization that would otherwise be made applicable as a result of the designation of the Route 66 National Historic Trail as a component of the National Trails System.
  • by adding at the end the following: