Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025. This bill would transfer 584 acres of Federal land, administered by the Forest Service, to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the Pit River Tribe, California.

The Pit River Tribe consists of 11 autonomous bands traditionally inhabiting the area surrounding the Pit River and its tributaries. They are known for their deep spiritual connection to the land, with a rich cultural heritage centered around fishing, hunting, and seasonal gatherings. Today, they continue to preserve their traditions while engaging in efforts to reclaim ancestral lands and promote tribal sovereignty.

The proposed land to be transferred is known as the Four Corners Property, located in Shasta County. Today, the Four Corners Federal land is located in the ancestral territory of the Tribe, which the Tribe has historically used and has an ongoing relationship with.

This legislation is a commonsense step forward that will empower the Tribe to better serve their communities and empower Tribal self-growth. I want to thank Senator Schiff for cosponsoring this bill, and I also want to thank Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa for introducing companion legislation in the House. ______ BY MR. PADILLA:

S. 2881. A bill to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

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Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Ackerson Meadow Land Exchange Act. This legislation will facilitate a simple land exchange between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in the Sierra Nevada.

This bill would transfer 160 acres of Stanislaus National Forest land to the National Park Service to be managed as part of Yosemite National Park and transfer 170 acres of National Park land to the Forest Service to manage as part of Stanislaus National Forest. The land in the exchange is known as Ackerson Meadow.

Ackerson Meadow is one of the largest midelevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. It is an ecologically and regionally critical wildlife corridor, and the scenic meadow is an important habitat for the State endangered great grey owl and little willow flycatcher, as well as a suite of additional at-risk wildlife species. In 2016, a coalition of conservation groups donated Ackerson Meadow to Yosemite National Park; however, it is almost completely surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest and only partially contiguous to the rest of Yosemite National Park.

The current configuration of land management presents logistical challenges to both NPS and Forest Service; therefore, both Agencies, as well as local stakeholders, support this land exchange.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this straightforward legislation to better manage the land in and around Ackerson Meadow. By Mr. DURBIN:

S. 2889. A bill to promote minimum State requirements for the prevention and treatment of concussions caused by participation in school sports, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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