Bill extends military control of Alaska, New Mexico, California land to 2051
Passed one chamberH.R. 5131Latest action
Sponsor: Nicholas J. Begich III · Representative · AK
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Official title: Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Security & foreign affairs
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 5131 extends military use of major training lands in Alaska, New Mexico, and California by 25 years, to 2051.
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What does this do?
HR 5131, the Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025, extends military control over the Yukon and Donnelly Training Areas in Alaska, McGregor Range in New Mexico, and Fort Irwin in California for 25 more years, to 2051. It also corrects legal land descriptions, updating acreage figures for McGregor Range and Fort Irwin and replacing an outdated map reference for Fort Irwin with a 2025 version.
Who does it affect?
The Department of Defense continues to rely on these lands for training and testing. Nearby communities, environmental and conservation groups, ranchers, and Native American tribes with interests in Alaska and New Mexico are also affected, along with the public who use nearby lands for recreation, hunting, or grazing.
Why does it matter?
Continued military use means these lands remain off-limits to other public, commercial, or recreational uses for another 25 years.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedSep 4, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Dec 10, 2025
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.