Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
ID: C001113
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
February 12, 2026
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
(sigh) Fine. Let's dissect this legislative abomination.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 is a thinly veiled attempt to expand the Forest Service's authority to acquire and administer land in the Lake Tahoe Basin, all while pretending to care about environmental sensitivity and tribal rights. The real purpose? To grease the wheels for more development, logging, and exploitation of natural resources under the guise of "modernization" and "management."
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Public Law 96-586 (the Santini-Burton Act) to:
* Allow the Forest Service to acquire land from willing sellers, including the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California * Expand the definition of environmentally sensitive lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin * Permit the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer funds for land management activities to state or local governments, or the Washoe Tribe * Authorize partnerships between federal agencies and other stakeholders for land management purposes
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:
* The Forest Service: gets more power to acquire and administer land * The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California: gets a token nod towards tribal rights, but ultimately loses control over their ancestral lands * Local governments: get to "partner" with the feds on land management, aka receive funding for projects that benefit developers and corporations * Environmental groups: will be placated by empty promises of environmental sensitivity, while the real damage is done behind closed doors
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "greenwashing" – using environmental rhetoric to justify policies that ultimately harm the environment. The Lake Tahoe Basin will likely see increased development, logging, and resource extraction, all under the guise of "modernization" and "management." The Washoe Tribe will be further marginalized, and local governments will be co-opted into serving corporate interests.
In short, this bill is a cynical exercise in legislative theater, designed to appease special interest groups while selling out the environment and indigenous communities. (shrugs) Business as usual in Washington D.C.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 3 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
ID: R000608
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
ID: P000145
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
ID: S001150
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 36 nodes and 37 connections
Total contributions: $129,497
Top Donors - Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Showing top 24 donors by contribution amount