119-S-2968 Journalist Public Summary
119 · S 2968 Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
A Utah-led Senate bill would tie disability access on federal lands to keeping more roads open, set a 2.5‑miles‑of‑road‑per‑square‑mile benchmark, and limit certain road closures; it has backing from off‑road recreation groups and criticism from conservation and disability advocates, and as of February 12, 2026 it has received a subcommittee hearing but has not advanced. (congress.gov)
Public Summary: S. 2968 — Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
Headline Summary: A bill to make more of America’s public lands reachable by motor vehicle for people with disabilities by setting a minimum road‑access standard and curbing some road closures. (congress.gov)
What It Does: The bill defines “disability‑accessible land” as any square mile of federal public land with at least 2.5 miles of authorized, traversable roads. It directs the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to update travel‑management plans with this standard in mind; establishes a presumption to keep roads open; requires public notice and a hearing before most closures; pairs closures with adding an alternative route; and makes these closures or new designations categorically excluded from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, absent extraordinary circumstances. (congress.gov)
- Sponsors: Sen. Mike Lee (R‑UT) and Sen. John Curtis (R‑UT). (congress.gov)
- Off‑road and motorized‑recreation groups (e.g., BlueRibbon Coalition, SEMA) support it, saying motorized routes are essential for many people with disabilities to access public lands and that the bill would safeguard that access. (blueribboncoalition.org)
- Statements from the sponsors frame the bill as ensuring equal access and removing unnecessary barriers by keeping practical road access available. (energy.senate.gov)
Who’s For It:
- Conservation organizations (e.g., Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance) and some disability‑led groups (e.g., Disabled Hikers) oppose it, arguing it’s a vehicle‑access bill in disability framing that could increase motorized use, weaken review via NEPA categorical exclusions, and harm quiet‑use areas and wildlife. (suwa.org)
Who’s Against It:
What’s Next: The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee on October 3, 2025, and the Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a hearing on February 12, 2026. It remains at the committee stage; next steps could include a subcommittee or full‑committee markup before any Senate floor vote. (congress.gov)
Discussion