Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act
Latest action (29 Jul 2026): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
What this bill does
S. 3313, the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act, would amend a 1936 law governing rights-of-way on National Park Service land to require the Secretary of the Interior to grant a specific right-of-way for an emergency exit across Blue Ridge Parkway land near Milepost 9.6, as depicted on a designated federal map. Currently the Secretary has discretion to issue such rights-of-way; this bill would make issuance mandatory, but only after the Secretary certifies that three conditions are met: an evaluation of alternative egress routes that avoid federal land, including whether existing trails could be converted to roads; an analysis of fire behavior risks associated with the route; and completion of required environmental and historic preservation reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and related federal law.
The bill primarily affects residents of the Wintergreen area of Virginia, who have sought an additional emergency exit route through Blue Ridge Parkway land, as well as the National Park Service, which manages that land and would be required to act once the specified conditions are certified.
The bill was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine, with Senator Mark Warner as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee voted to report the bill favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next go to the full Senate for consideration before any further action in the House.
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 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 3313 do?
- S. 3313, the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act, would amend a 1936 law governing rights-of-way on National Park Service land to require the Secretary of the Interior to grant a specific right-of-way for an emergency exit across Blue Ridge Parkway land near Milepost 9.6, as depicted on a designated federal map. Currently the Secretary has discretion to issue such rights-of-way; this bill would make issuance mandatory, but only after the Secretary certifies that three conditions are met: an evaluation of alternative egress routes that avoid federal land, including whether existing trails could be converted to roads; an analysis of fire behavior risks associated with the route; and completion of required environmental and historic preservation reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and related federal law. The bill primarily affects residents of the Wintergreen area of Virginia, who have sought an additional emergency exit route through Blue Ridge Parkway land, as well as the National Park Service, which manages that land and would be required to act once the specified conditions are certified. The bill was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine, with Senator Mark Warner as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee voted to report the bill favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next go to the full Senate for consideration before any further action in the House.
- Has S. 3313 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2026, S. 3313 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 3313?
- S. 3313 was sponsored by Sen. Timothy “Tim” Kaine [D-VA] (Democrat-VA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 3313?
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. (29 Jul 2026).
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