PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

PUBLIC Lands Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 12, 2020

Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act or the PUBLIC Lands Act

This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in California.

The bill establishes

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area,

the California Public Lands Remediation Partnership,

the Trinity Lake and Del Norte County visitor centers,

the Horse Mountain Special Management Area,

the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail,

the Sanhedrin Special Conservation Management Area, and

the Condor National Scenic Trail.

The bill designates

specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System,

the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness,

specified federal lands as potential wilderness areas,

specified segments of certain rivers and creeks and of a specified river estuary as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System,

the Machesna Mountain and the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Areas,

the Condor Ridge and Black Mountain Scenic Areas, and

the San Gabriel National Recreation Area.

Also, the bill

authorizes the utilization of certain forest residues for research and development of biobased products that result in net carbon sequestration,

authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks,

requires specified recreational studies and partnerships, and

expands the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.3288 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.3288 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.3288 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.3288 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources