Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act
Latest action (29 Jul 2026): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
What this bill does
S. 2887 would amend the National Trails System Act to formally designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, covering the roughly 2,400-mile route and its various alignments used between 1926 and 1985, from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. The Secretary of the Interior would administer the trail while preserving its distinctive character, and would be required to consult with affected Indian Tribes before undertaking activities with substantial direct impacts on them. The bill sets limits on land acquisition—generally restricting it to within existing federally managed areas or a narrow corridor along the route, with landowner consent required elsewhere—and explicitly bars the use of eminent domain. It also specifies that the designation does not create buffer zones, does not restrict energy development or transmission, does not classify the trail as "lands in the National Park System" for mineral leasing purposes, and does not alter existing authority to grant easements or rights-of-way or trigger new federal permitting requirements.
The bill primarily affects federal land management agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior, along with state and local governments, private landowners along the route, Indian Tribes near the trail, and energy developers operating in the corridor. Communities and tourism interests along the historic Route 66 corridor across the eight states it passes through could also see effects from the trail's formal recognition and management.
The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz with several cosponsors and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. That committee has since ordered the bill reported favorably without amendment, meaning it is now positioned for potential consideration by the full Senate. Further action, including a Senate floor vote and consideration by the House of Representatives, would be required before the bill could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on July 29, 2026.
Timeline
29 Jul 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 2887 do?
- S. 2887 would amend the National Trails System Act to formally designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, covering the roughly 2,400-mile route and its various alignments used between 1926 and 1985, from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. The Secretary of the Interior would administer the trail while preserving its distinctive character, and would be required to consult with affected Indian Tribes before undertaking activities with substantial direct impacts on them. The bill sets limits on land acquisition—generally restricting it to within existing federally managed areas or a narrow corridor along the route, with landowner consent required elsewhere—and explicitly bars the use of eminent domain. It also specifies that the designation does not create buffer zones, does not restrict energy development or transmission, does not classify the trail as "lands in the National Park System" for mineral leasing purposes, and does not alter existing authority to grant easements or rights-of-way or trigger new federal permitting requirements. The bill primarily affects federal land management agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior, along with state and local governments, private landowners along the route, Indian Tribes near the trail, and energy developers operating in the corridor. Communities and tourism interests along the historic Route 66 corridor across the eight states it passes through could also see effects from the trail's formal recognition and management. The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz with several cosponsors and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. That committee has since ordered the bill reported favorably without amendment, meaning it is now positioned for potential consideration by the full Senate. Further action, including a Senate floor vote and consideration by the House of Representatives, would be required before the bill could become law.
- Has S. 2887 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2026, S. 2887 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 2887?
- S. 2887 was sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX] (Republican-TX), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2887?
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. (29 Jul 2026).
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