[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9416 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9416
To redesignate the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park'', and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 24, 2026
Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Bishop, Mr. Carter of
Georgia, Mr. Jack, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr.
McCormick, Mr. Collins, Mr. Allen, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Loudermilk, and Mrs.
McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To redesignate the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park'', 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 ``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
Redesignation Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means an
Indian tribe, as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304),
that has a cultural affiliation, as defined in section 2 of the
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25
U.S.C. 3001), to the Ocmulgee Mounds region, to be determined
by the Secretary after appropriate tribal consultation.
(2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means map titled ``Ocmulgee
Mounds National Park'', numbered 363/193026, and dated May
2026.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Georgia.
SEC. 3. REDESIGNATION OF OCMULGEE MOUNDS NATIONAL PARK.
(a) Redesignation.--
(1) In general.--The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical
Park designated by section 2102(b)(1)(A) of the John D.
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (16
U.S.C. 410yyy-3(b)(1)(A)) shall be known and designated as the
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Park''.
(2) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
``Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park'' shall be
considered to be a reference to the ``Ocmulgee Mounds National
Park''.
(b) Map.--
(1) Corrections.--The Secretary may make technical
corrections to the Map.
(2) Availability.--The Map shall be on file and available
for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the
National Park Service.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF OCMULGEE MOUNDS NATIONAL PARK.
(a) In General.--The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park shall be
administered as a unit of the National Park System in accordance with
this section and the laws generally applicable to units of the National
Park System, including--
(1) section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections
100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United
States Code; and
(2) chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.
(b) Fishing.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall allow fishing on
waters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the
boundaries of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park in accordance
with applicable Federal and State laws.
(2) Limitation.--The Secretary may designate zones in
which, and establish periods during which, no fishing shall be
allowed for reasons of public safety, administration, fish or
wildlife management, or emergencies.
(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall ensure any
regulations prescribing restrictions under this subsection
shall be put into effect only after consultation with the
State.
(4) Private land.--Nothing in this subsection prohibits
hunting, fishing, or trapping on private land in accordance
with applicable State and Federal laws.
(5) Congressional intent.--Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to enlarge or diminish the authority, jurisdiction,
or responsibility of the State to manage, control, or regulate
fish and wildlife on lands and waters, including Federal lands
and waters, within the State.
(c) Hiring Preference.--The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable and consistent with applicable law, seek to increase
employment opportunities for members of Indian tribes in the Ocmulgee
Mounds National Park.
(d) Tribal Consultation.--Nothing in this Act prevents continued
consultation with Indian tribes pursuant to Executive Order 13175 (25
U.S.C. 5301 note; relating to consultation and coordination with Indian
tribal governments) and other applicable laws.
(e) Sacred and Cultural Sites.--The Secretary shall ensure the
protection of traditional cultural and religious sites within the
Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and provide access to the sites by
members of Indian tribes who have ancestral connections to the Ocmulgee
River Corridor, in accordance with the laws (including regulations)
applicable to the Secretary concerned.
SEC. 5. AGREEMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may seek to enter into memoranda of
understanding, cooperative agreements, or other legally authorized
agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other interested Indian
tribes to address issues pertaining to the management, conservation,
and preservation of natural and cultural resources within the Ocmulgee
Mounds National Park.
(b) Notification.--The Secretary shall promptly notify the parties
to an agreement described in subsection (a) of any requests received
from other Indian tribes seeking similar agreements concerning the
management, conservation, and preservation of natural and cultural
resources within the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park.
SEC. 6. LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST FOR THE TRIBE.
(a) In General.--Upon request of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, not
later than 180 days after receipt of such request, the Secretary shall
take into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation the
approximately 133.88 acres of land held in fee by the Muscogee (Creek)
Nation, as generally depicted as ``The Muscogee Creek Nation - Fee'' on
the map titled ``Muscogee Creek Nation Fee Lands'' and dated June 16,
2026.
(b) Status of Land.--The land taken into trust under subsection (a)
shall be--
(1) part of the Muscogee Creek Indian Reservation; and
(2) administered in accordance with the laws and
regulations generally applicable to property held in trust by
the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe.
(c) Gaming Prohibited.--The land taken into trust under subsection
(a) shall not be used for any class II gaming or class III gaming under
the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (as those terms are defined in section
4 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 2703)).
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