US Federal Senate Bill SB446

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Report Pass: 2/4/26

Caption

A bill to prohibit Big Cypress National Preserve from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.

Summary

SB 446 would bar Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill is narrowly drafted and, on its face, creates a categorical prohibition on any future wilderness designation for the preserve. In practical terms, the measure would preserve the current management flexibility of Big Cypress National Preserve by preventing the stricter land-use limits that typically accompany wilderness status. It does not establish a new management regime for the preserve; rather, it removes one possible federal designation from consideration under the Wilderness Act and related federal land-management authorities.

Impact

The bill would affect federal public lands law by carving Big Cypress National Preserve out of potential wilderness designation under the National Wilderness Preservation System. If enacted, it would limit the ability of Congress or federal land managers to treat the preserve as wilderness, which can affect access, development restrictions, motorized use, and other land-management decisions associated with wilderness areas. The primary parties affected would be federal land agencies, conservation interests, recreation and access users, and stakeholders in Florida concerned with preserve management.

Sentiment

The available legislative history suggests generally favorable momentum in committee, as the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered the bill to be reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and a title amendment. No recorded votes or hearing transcripts are provided here, so there is no direct evidence of floor-level debate or divided roll-call sentiment. The committee action indicates the bill advanced at least at the committee stage rather than being rejected.

Contention

The central point of contention is likely whether Big Cypress National Preserve should remain eligible for wilderness designation. Supporters of the bill would generally favor maintaining broader access and management flexibility, while opponents would likely argue that wilderness eligibility is important for conservation, habitat protection, and limiting development or mechanized use. Because the bill specifically targets one preserve, debate would likely focus on balancing local land-use concerns, recreation, and environmental preservation rather than on a broader nationwide policy change.