June 24, 2026
Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Bishop, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Jack, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Collins, Mr. Allen, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Loudermilk, and Mrs. McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To redesignate the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Redesignation Act
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Indian tribe
The term Indian tribe means an Indian tribe, as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), that has a cultural affiliation, as defined in section 2 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001), to the Ocmulgee Mounds region, to be determined by the Secretary after appropriate tribal consultation.
(2) Map
The term Map means map titled Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
, numbered 363/193026, and dated May 2026.
(3) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(4) State
The term State means the State of Georgia.
Sec. 3. Redesignation of Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
(a) Redesignation
(1) In general
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park designated by section 2102(b)(1)(A) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 410yyy–3(b)(1)(A)) shall be known and designated as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
.
(2) References
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
shall be considered to be a reference to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
.
(b) Map
(1) Corrections
The Secretary may make technical corrections to the Map.
(2) Availability
The Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
Sec. 4. Administration of Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
(a) In general
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park shall be administered as a unit of the National Park System in accordance with this section and the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including—
(1)
section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States Code; and
(2)
chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.
(b) Fishing
(1) In general
The Secretary shall allow fishing on waters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the boundaries of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws.
(2) Limitation
The Secretary may designate zones in which, and establish periods during which, no fishing shall be allowed for reasons of public safety, administration, fish or wildlife management, or emergencies.
(3) Consultation
The Secretary shall ensure any regulations prescribing restrictions under this subsection shall be put into effect only after consultation with the State.
(4) Private land
Nothing in this subsection prohibits hunting, fishing, or trapping on private land in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws.
(5) Congressional intent
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to enlarge or diminish the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the State to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife on lands and waters, including Federal lands and waters, within the State.
(c) Hiring preference
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable law, seek to increase employment opportunities for members of Indian tribes in the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park.
(d) Tribal consultation
Nothing in this Act prevents continued consultation with Indian tribes pursuant to Executive Order 13175 (25 U.S.C. 5301 note; relating to consultation and coordination with Indian tribal governments) and other applicable laws.
(e) Sacred and cultural sites
The Secretary shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites within the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and provide access to the sites by members of Indian tribes who have ancestral connections to the Ocmulgee River Corridor, in accordance with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the Secretary concerned.
Sec. 5. Agreements
(a) In general
The Secretary may seek to enter into memoranda of understanding, cooperative agreements, or other legally authorized agreements with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other interested Indian tribes to address issues pertaining to the management, conservation, and preservation of natural and cultural resources within the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park.
(b) Notification
The Secretary shall promptly notify the parties to an agreement described in subsection (a) of any requests received from other Indian tribes seeking similar agreements concerning the management, conservation, and preservation of natural and cultural resources within the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park.
Sec. 6. Land to be held in trust for the Tribe
(a) In general
Upon request of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, not later than 180 days after receipt of such request, the Secretary shall take into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation the approximately 133.88 acres of land held in fee by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, as generally depicted as The Muscogee Creek Nation - Fee
on the map titled Muscogee Creek Nation Fee Lands
and dated June 16, 2026.
(b) Status of land
The land taken into trust under subsection (a) shall be—
(1)
part of the Muscogee Creek Indian Reservation; and
(2)
administered in accordance with the laws and regulations generally applicable to property held in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe.
(c) Gaming prohibited
The land taken into trust under subsection (a) shall not be used for any class II gaming or class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (as those terms are defined in section 4 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 2703)).