January 28, 2026
Mr. Kelly (for himself and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
To establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Chiricahua National Park Act
.
Sec. 2. Designation of Chiricahua National Park, Arizona
(a) Designation
(1) In general
The Chiricahua National Monument in the State of Arizona established by Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946) shall be known and designated as Chiricahua National Park
(referred to in this Act as the National Park
).
(2) Boundaries
The boundaries of the National Park shall be the boundaries of the Chiricahua National Monument as of the date of enactment of this Act, as generally depicted on the map entitled Chiricahua National Park Proposed Boundary
, numbered 145/156,356, and dated March 2021.
(3) References
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, or other record of the United States to the Chiricahua National Monument shall be considered to be a reference to the Chiricahua National Park
.
(4) Availability of funds
Any funds available for the Chiricahua National Monument shall be available for the National Park.
(b) Administration
The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the National Park in accordance with—
(1)
Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946);
(2)
Presidential Proclamation 2288 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 52 Stat. 1551); and
(3)
the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including—
(A)
section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States Code; and
(B)
chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Traditional cultural and religious sites
(a) Protection of sites
(1) In general
The Secretary shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the National Park in accordance with the laws generally applicable to—
(A)
the National Park Service; and
(B)
units of the National Park System.
(2) Consultation
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with Indian Tribes in accordance with laws applicable to the protection of cultural and religious sites.
(b) Access
(1) In general
The Secretary, in accordance with Public Law 95–341 (42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.)—
(A)
shall provide access to the sites described in subsection (a)(1) by members of Indian Tribes for traditional cultural and customary uses; and
(B)
may, on request of an Indian Tribe, temporarily close to general public use one or more specific areas of the National Park to protect traditional cultural and customary uses in the area by members of the Indian Tribe.
(2) Limitation
In closing a portion of a designated area under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall limit the closure to the smallest practicable area for the minimum period necessary for the traditional cultural and religious activities.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Indian Tribe
The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(2) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.