[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3715 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3715
To establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a
unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 28, 2026
Mr. Kelly (for himself and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a
unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Chiricahua National Park Act''.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA.
(a) Designation.--
(1) In general.--The Chiricahua National Monument in the
State of Arizona established by Presidential Proclamation 1692
(54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946) shall be known and
designated as ``Chiricahua National Park'' (referred to in this
Act as the ``National Park'').
(2) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the National Park shall
be the boundaries of the Chiricahua National Monument as of the
date of enactment of this Act, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Chiricahua National Park Proposed Boundary'',
numbered 145/156,356, and dated March 2021.
(3) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, or other record of the United States to the
Chiricahua National Monument shall be considered to be a
reference to the ``Chiricahua National Park''.
(4) Availability of funds.--Any funds available for the
Chiricahua National Monument shall be available for the
National Park.
(b) Administration.--The Secretary of the Interior shall administer
the National Park in accordance with--
(1) Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note;
43 Stat. 1946);
(2) Presidential Proclamation 2288 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note;
52 Stat. 1551); and
(3) the laws generally applicable to units of the National
Park System, including--
(A) section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections
100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54,
United States Code; and
(B) chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.
SEC. 3. TRADITIONAL CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS SITES.
(a) Protection of Sites.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure the protection
of traditional cultural and religious sites in the National
Park in accordance with the laws generally applicable to--
(A) the National Park Service; and
(B) units of the National Park System.
(2) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall consult with Indian Tribes in accordance with
laws applicable to the protection of cultural and religious
sites.
(b) Access.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in accordance with Public
Law 95-341 (42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.)--
(A) shall provide access to the sites described in
subsection (a)(1) by members of Indian Tribes for
traditional cultural and customary uses; and
(B) may, on request of an Indian Tribe, temporarily
close to general public use one or more specific areas
of the National Park to protect traditional cultural
and customary uses in the area by members of the Indian
Tribe.
(2) Limitation.--In closing a portion of a designated area
under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall limit the closure
to the smallest practicable area for the minimum period
necessary for the traditional cultural and religious
activities.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
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