{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ackerson-meadow-land-interchange-act-approved-house-representatives", "The Ackerson Meadow Land Interchange Act Approved by House of Representatives", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "September 14, 2026\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 The Ackerson Meadow Land Interchange Act, H.R. 8454, has passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote. The legislation by Congressman McClintock, H.R. 8454, has companion legislation in the Senate authored by Senator Padilla, S. 288.\n\nThe legislation addresses a familiar problem in federal land management in the Sierra Nevada: the checkerboard of boundary lines that makes land management disjointed and inefficient. The legislation consolidates land jurisdictions between the National Park System and the National Forest System and will help to eliminate confusion caused by split jurisdiction.\n\n\u201cJurisdictional boundaries should not stand in the way of effective land management. H.R. 8454 transfers administrative jurisdiction over federal parcels in Ackerson Meadow, helping establish a more logical and efficient approach to managing and restoring this vital ecosystem,\u201d remarked House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman. \u201cI commend Rep. McClintock for pursuing a targeted solution that improves government efficiency and advances responsible land management in California.\u201d\n\nCongressman McClintock delivered the following remarks today on the House floor in support of the legislation:\n\nFloor Statement (Video Link)\n\nH.R. 8454\n\nAckerson Meadow Land Interchange Act\n\nSeptember 14, 2026\n\nMr. Speaker:\n\nThe Ackerson Meadow Land Interchange Act is a simple proposal to transfer administrative jurisdiction over approximately 160 acres of National Forest System land to Yosemite National Park. It would also transfer approximately 170 acres of National Park System land to be a part of the Stanislaus National Forest.\n\nSenator Padilla is carrying identical legislation in the Senate. We don\u2019t agree on much, but we certainly agree on this.\n\nThis legislation addresses a familiar problem in federal land management in the Sierra Nevada: the checkerboard of boundary lines that makes land management disjointed and inefficient. This bill simply consolidates land jurisdictions between the National Park System and the National Forest System, without increasing the federal footprint.\n\nAt issue is the Ackerson Meadow. This meadow supports livestock grazing operations that have been part of the history and economy of the region. These operations are essential for brush control and fire suppression, maintaining meadow conditions and sustaining the rural economy that depends on the productive use of these lands.\n\nFederal agencies, conservation organizations, and local ranchers have worked together to improve the meadow while maintaining grazing opportunities. Restoration projects have improved wetland conditions, enhanced water storage, improved habitat, and supported continued public uses, including grazing.\n\nThe proposed land exchange would make that cooperative approach easier by eliminating the confusion caused by split jurisdiction. Ranchers need to know where their permits apply, where infrastructure can be maintained, and who is responsible for decisions affecting their operations.\n\nThe bill also protects existing rights and authorizations. It specifically provides that valid existing rights, including rights-of-way, easements, leases, licenses, and permits, remain protected after the transfer. This ensures that current users, including grazing permit holders, are not unfairly disrupted by a change in administrative jurisdiction.\n\nIt also appropriately maintains federal responsibilities for hazardous substance cleanup and other obligations.\n\nThis bill reflects a principle that should guide federal land policy, management decisions should be based on the realities of the landscape, not simply the boundaries drawn on a map decades ago.\n\nOur national forests and parks serve many purposes. They preserve wildlife habitat, protect watersheds, provide recreation, and support rural economies. A balanced approach recognizes all of these values.\n\nI urge adoption of this measure and yield back the balance of my time.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ackerson-meadow-land-interchange-act-approved-house-representatives"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6157730240374804, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}