Press Releases
Arrington Introduces Bill to Require Public Input on Federal Land Expansion Plans
Washington,
February 12, 2026
Washington, D.C. – Last week, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Transparency in Federal Land Acquisitions Act, legislation that would require a public comment period in the Federal Register before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalizes new Land Protection Plans. “For far too long, government bureaucrats have jammed through plans to expand federal land by hundreds of thousands of acres without any input or feedback from the communities affected,” said Chairman Arrington. “Thankfully, the Trump administration has changed course - most notably in West Texas, where President Trump canceled the Biden administration’s Muleshoe land grab. My Transparency in Federal Land Acquisitions Act builds on the successes of the Trump administration and ensures lasting transparency for so-called “Land Protection Plans” by giving local landowners and county officials an opportunity to provide input before a decision is made.” “Bailey County is in support of the legislation the Congressman Arrington is introducing that would require any future Land Protection Plans by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service be published in the Federal Register in order for the public to have an opportunity to provide public comment before being finalized,” said Basil Nash, Bailey County Judge. “Congressman Arrington has done an amazing job of taking care of West Texas and Bailey County is standing with him on this matter.” “As a county Judge, I strongly support legislation introduced by Representative Jodey Arrington that would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to publish any new or revised Land Protection Plan in the Federal Register and provide a formal public comment period prior to final adoption,” said James M. DeLoach, Lamb County Judge. “The previous proposed expansion of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in this process. This legislation does not impede conservation efforts. Rather, it promotes cooperation, trust, and better outcomes by ensuring local government have a seat at the table before decisions are finalized.” “Representative Arrington’s bill will take away the federal agencies practice of quietly acquiring private land without any notice to the public,” said the American Stewards of Liberty. “Currently, local communities are often blindsided and harmed when land is federalized, taken off the tax roles, and out of productivity. Arrington’s bill requires the agencies to be transparent in their transactions giving impacted communities an opportunity to raise concerns.” ###
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