Federal lands default to motorized access unless agencies prove harm

What it does

This bill reverses recent restrictions on motorized vehicle access to roads and trails on federal lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. It presumes all existing roads and trails are open to ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and similar vehicles unless the agencies can prove—with 'clear and convincing evidence'—that closure is necessary for resource protection or public safety. The bill also requires agencies to accept public nominations for new motorized routes and fast-track conversion of closed roads to designated trails within 90 days.

Why we flagged it

The bill's operative mechanism is a presumption-reversal: roads and trails default to open for motorized use unless agencies meet a high evidentiary bar to close them. This is functionally a deregulation of access policy, not a neutral restoration of prior practice, because it shifts burden of proof and mandates expedited review of new motorized routes.

What the text implies

• The 'clear and convincing evidence' standard is a high legal bar—higher than the 'preponderance of evidence' standard typically used in administrative law. This may make it difficult for agencies to close trails even when environmental damage or wildlife conflicts are documented, shifting environmental protection costs onto ecosystems rather than users.
• The 90-day expedited review for converting closed roads to motorized trails may bypass or compress environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, potentially reducing public comment opportunities and scientific analysis before new routes are designated.
• Public nomination and priority-consideration provisions may create political pressure on agencies to designate motorized routes in sensitive areas (e.g., near wildlife habitat, water sources, or non-motorized recreation zones) if local motorized-recreation constituencies submit proposals.
• The bill does not address liability or damage-remediation mechanisms if motorized use causes erosion, water pollution, or wildlife disturbance on newly opened or reopened routes, potentially externalizing environmental costs.
• Agencies must update maps and signage within 180 days and review restrictions every 5 years, creating ongoing administrative burden that may divert resources from other land-management priorities.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill expands recreational access for motorized users and may improve emergency response and land management on federal lands, but it constrains the agencies' ability to protect ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and non-motorized recreation opportunities—shifting the burden of proof onto land managers to justify closures rather than requiring users to justify access. The net effect depends on how strictly courts interpret 'clear and convincing evidence' and whether agencies retain meaningful disc

Who stands to gain

• ATV and off-road vehicle manufacturers
• Motorized recreation outfitters and tour operators
• Fuel and equipment suppliers for off-road recreation
• Recreational vehicle dealerships

Named in the bill

Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, National Forest System, Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, National Forest Management Act of 1976, National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.

• Mar 18, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Mar 18, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Agriculture and House Committee on Natural Resources · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period…”
• Mar 26, 2026 — Hearing held · Congress.gov: “Subcommittee Hearings Held”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

7 lobbying clients named this bill on 8 disclosure filings across 2 quarters, Mar 2026 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $788,909 in lobbying spend. A filing names 16 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 86% of bills with at least one filing.

Jeff Crank, the sponsor, reported $823,540 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• Specialty Equipment Market Association — $395,000 on 1 filing
• League of Conservation Voters — $230,000 on 1 filing
• Monarch Investments — $50,000 on 1 filing
• Motorcycle Industry Council — $45,000 on 1 filing
• Backcountry Hunters & Anglers — $26,409 on 2 filings

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.