Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study 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. 3720, the Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act, would amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study whether the Bay Area Ridge Trail should be designated a national scenic trail. The trail is described as a roughly 550-mile, nonmotorized, multi-use route along ridgelines around the San Francisco Bay Area, of which about 415 miles are already built and 140 miles remain incomplete. The bill lists findings about the trail's scenic, historic, cultural, and geologic features, its proximity to urban populations, and its connections to other regional trails and to more than 75 parks and open spaces.
The study would be required within one year of enactment and completed in consultation with interested organizations, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, as well as any federal or state agencies that manage land the trail crosses. The results would be submitted to Congress, which would then decide whether to pursue formal national scenic trail designation. The bill primarily affects federal land-management agencies, California state and local agencies, and residents and visitors who use the trail system.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Adam Schiff on January 28, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and, if passed there, by the House of Representatives, before it could be sent to the President.
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. 3720 do?
- S. 3720, the Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act, would amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study whether the Bay Area Ridge Trail should be designated a national scenic trail. The trail is described as a roughly 550-mile, nonmotorized, multi-use route along ridgelines around the San Francisco Bay Area, of which about 415 miles are already built and 140 miles remain incomplete. The bill lists findings about the trail's scenic, historic, cultural, and geologic features, its proximity to urban populations, and its connections to other regional trails and to more than 75 parks and open spaces. The study would be required within one year of enactment and completed in consultation with interested organizations, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, as well as any federal or state agencies that manage land the trail crosses. The results would be submitted to Congress, which would then decide whether to pursue formal national scenic trail designation. The bill primarily affects federal land-management agencies, California state and local agencies, and residents and visitors who use the trail system. The bill was introduced by Sen. Adam Schiff on January 28, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On July 29, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and, if passed there, by the House of Representatives, before it could be sent to the President.
- Has S. 3720 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2026, S. 3720 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 3720?
- S. 3720 was sponsored by Sen. Adam Schiff [D-CA] (Democrat-CA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 3720?
- 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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