S 282 United States Senate · 119th Congress

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act

This bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to voluntarily acquire specific land within a defined "authorized acquisition area" (outside the current monument boundary) to expand Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. It prohibits the use of eminent domain for land purchases and requires boundary adjustments upon acquisition. The bill maintains existing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation rights on newly acquired land, and permits noncommercial hand-gathering of fiddlehead ferns under certain conditions. It also directs the Secretary to collaborate with local communities on public education about the area's history and management, while preserving existing timber access rights.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
President
Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Last action Feb 10, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Hearings Held
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
lower
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S3459)
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3458)
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Angus S. King, Jr.
Angus S. King, Jr.
IIndependent
ME
n/a