Chiricahua National Park Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (17 Sep 2026): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 667.
What this bill does
S. 3715, the Chiricahua National Park Act, would redesignate Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as "Chiricahua National Park," a full unit of the National Park System. The park's boundaries would remain those of the existing monument, and any legal or administrative references to the monument would automatically be treated as references to the new park, with existing funding carrying over unchanged. The Secretary of the Interior would continue to administer the site under the original presidential proclamations that created it, along with the general laws governing National Park System units.
The bill primarily affects the National Park Service, which manages the site, and Indian Tribes with cultural or religious ties to the area. It directs the Secretary to protect traditional cultural and religious sites within the park, consult with affected Tribes, ensure Tribal members have access for traditional and customary uses, and allows temporary, narrowly tailored closures of specific areas at a Tribe's request to protect such uses. Visitors and local communities would otherwise see little practical change, since the site's management framework remains largely the same.
The bill was introduced by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), with Senator Gallego as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. As of July 29, 2026, that committee ordered the bill reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next require full Senate consideration, and if passed, would need to go through the House and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Chiricahua National Park Act
This bill redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as the Chiricahua National Park.
The bill directs the National Park Service (NPS) to (1) ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the park, and (2) provide access to those sites by members of Indian tribes for traditional cultural and customary uses.
Upon the request of an Indian tribe, the NPS may temporarily close to general public use one or more specific areas of the park to protect traditional cultural and customary uses in the area by members of the tribe. The closure must be limited to the smallest practicable area for the minimum period necessary for the traditional cultural and religious activities.
Timeline
17 Sep 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 667.
Common questions
- What does S. 3715 do?
- S. 3715, the Chiricahua National Park Act, would redesignate Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as "Chiricahua National Park," a full unit of the National Park System. The park's boundaries would remain those of the existing monument, and any legal or administrative references to the monument would automatically be treated as references to the new park, with existing funding carrying over unchanged. The Secretary of the Interior would continue to administer the site under the original presidential proclamations that created it, along with the general laws governing National Park System units. The bill primarily affects the National Park Service, which manages the site, and Indian Tribes with cultural or religious ties to the area. It directs the Secretary to protect traditional cultural and religious sites within the park, consult with affected Tribes, ensure Tribal members have access for traditional and customary uses, and allows temporary, narrowly tailored closures of specific areas at a Tribe's request to protect such uses. Visitors and local communities would otherwise see little practical change, since the site's management framework remains largely the same. The bill was introduced by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), with Senator Gallego as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. As of July 29, 2026, that committee ordered the bill reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next require full Senate consideration, and if passed, would need to go through the House and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has S. 3715 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3715. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3715?
- S. 3715 was sponsored by Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] (D-AZ), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 3715?
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 667. (17 Sep 2026).
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