S. 2827Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed Senate

A bill to amend the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM UTC

The bill updates the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act to broaden the foundation’s programs, clarify its mission, and improve its funding and oversight. It adds new definitions, expands the foundation’s geographic reach, creates a youth “Parks in Focus” program, strengthens support for the Native Nations Institute, and sets specific limits on how the foundation can use its annual interest earnings. The changes affect the foundation’s operations, its grant‑making, and the agencies that work with it.

Key Provisions

Adds a definition of “collaboration” for working with other entities to resolve or prevent disputes and to streamline environmental decision‑making.
Renames the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution to the John S. McCain III United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.
Defines “Nation’s parks and wilderness” and formally recognizes the Native Nations Institute as part of the foundation’s structure.
Expands the foundation’s authorized location to include Arizona and the District of Columbia (and later Tucson, Arizona).
Creates a “Parks in Focus” program to involve youth in learning about and enjoying national parks and wilderness areas.
Specifies program priorities and sets funding limits: at least 50% of annual interest earnings must fund core programs, no more than 17.5% for salaries/administration, and at least 20% for the Center’s activities.
Allows donations, grants, and unspent earnings to be used for foundation activities without counting them toward the interest‑earnings allocation limits.
Updates administrative language to permit solicitation of donations and expands the areas where gifts can be accepted.
Changes the authorized appropriation years from 2004‑2008 to 2019‑2022.
Requires the Interior Department’s Inspector General to audit the foundation within two years of enactment.

Legislative Activity

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11 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

December 19, 2018 • 5:03 PM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 10, 2018

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

May 10, 2018

SenateCommittee

Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Environment and Public Works Committee

September 18, 2018

SenateCommittee

Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Barrasso with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Environment and Public Works Committee

September 18, 2018

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 578.

September 18, 2018

SenateCommittee

By Senator Barrasso from Committee on Environment and Public Works filed written report. Report No. 115-349.

Environment and Public Works Committee

November 13, 2018

SenateFloor

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7621)

December 13, 2018

SenateFloor

The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

December 13, 2018

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

December 13, 2018

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 17, 2018

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

December 19, 2018 • 2:11 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

December 19, 2018 • 5:03 PM

Floor Debate

4 members

What members said about S. 2827 on the floor

3 Republicans1 Democrat

Sen. Jon KylR-AZ · Dec 19, 2018

Mr. President, the other thing I would like to do this afternoon is to very briefly report to my colleagues and to constituents back home on some things which my predecessor, Senator McCain, was…

Mr. President, the other thing I would like to do this afternoon is to very briefly report to my colleagues and to constituents back home on some things which my predecessor, Senator McCain, was working on at the time of his untimely death and which his staff and I have continued to work on and, in several cases, have brought to successful conclusion. I want people to know about these items and what we have been able to accomplish.

I first want to thank the members of his staff who wanted to stay in the service of the government and the State of Arizona and were willing to take a position in my office, as a result of which, we were able to really have a seamless transition from some of the things Senator McCain was working on and my ability to continue to do so.

One of the first things of which I was aware but not really aware of the depth that he had taken it is a new relationship in the State of Arizona among the three pillars representing the defense establishment in our country and specifically in the State of Arizona. These are, first of all, our military installations--Arizona is blessed to have a lot of military installations; secondly, the defense industries--again, Arizona is the home to many important defense industries serving all of our branches of the military; and finally, the communities that support both of those elements of our establishment.

As a result, I had the opportunity to meet throughout the State with the groups that Senator McCain had helped to nurture and to create--in particular, a group in Tucson and Southern Arizona, including Yuma, called the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance; in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, the Northern Arizona Military Affairs Council; and in Central Arizona, Maricopa County and the Phoenix environs, the Mesa Industry and Defense Council.

Meeting with the representatives of all three components of our military society and hearing about the successes they had in working with each other and in providing a real synergy that benefited them all just reminded me again of how important Senator McCain's leadership was to the State of Arizona and to our national security.

I wanted to mention that today and to let everyone know that I will be passing on to my successor the advice that these councils continue to need to be supported and nurtured by the Senators from the State of Arizona, as well as the Members of the House of Representatives.

A second thing that John McCain was involved in as part of his activities as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee was the creation--a couple years ago--in the Defense authorization bill of a national commission to advise the Secretary of Defense on the strategy for the United States and to report back to Congress--and specifically the Armed Services Committee--on their conclusions.

This bill created the National Defense Strategy Commission, comprised of 12 members, 3 of whom were appointed by the chairman and the ranking member--each--of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.

I was privileged to have been appointed by Senator McCain to serve on that Commission, and I did for approximately a year. My service there ended as we finished our report. Before it was signed, while it was still being edited, he passed away, and I was appointed to serve in his stead. So I have had the unique opportunity to both help write the report and then be a member of the Armed Services Committee, on which he sat, to receive the report and to question the cochairmen of that Commission, Ambassador Eric Edelman and ADM Gary Roughead, Retired.

I think the importance of this Commission report reflects what Senator McCain hoped to achieve, and that is a bipartisan consensus, a unanimous report which provides advice to the Secretary of Defense and will provide advice to both the House and the Senate.

As I said, there has already been a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, and I know the House

committee is going to invite members of the Commission to brief it as well.

It is my hope that the recommendations of this bipartisan Commission will be followed by the Congress and by the President and the Secretary of Defense because I think they represent some very strong conclusions about what is necessary to enhance our national security.

A third thing Senator McCain wanted to do as chairman of the Armed Services Committee was to hold a series of hearings or briefings before the committee that focused on the advances in technology that were having and can have an important impact on our national security--in many cases, on the kinds of things that we acquire in support of our military superiority, things like hypersonics and artificial intelligence, super-advanced computing, cyber technology, and the like.

After speaking with the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee now, Senator Inhofe, it is my understanding that he, in fact, has a plan to carry out this legacy of Senator McCain and hold a series of briefings early next year on all of these technological issues so that our Members will be better able to evaluate the kinds of things that will help our military have superiority in the future. I am happy to have had some small part to play in advancing that.

There were a couple of other more specific things that Senator McCain didn't work on but which bear his name that I wanted to mention.

One, I cosponsored and helped secure passage of S. 2827, which was a bill to reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation at the University of Arizona. This was something that Senator McCain helped to create and to foster throughout his career. But I am also pleased to announce that this legislation names the foundation's environmental conflict resolution center after the late Senator John McCain. I am pleased to make that announcement here.

There is one other item that we are continuing to try to accomplish in Senator McCain's name. We are not across the finish line yet, but we hope to get there. That is something called the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act, S. 1403. This bill carries the name of Senator McCain, and it was one of his favorite projects. It expands volunteerism in our national parks and public lands.

I can tell you that while John McCain came to Arizona having lived in many other places of the world and in the United States, primarily as a result of his service in the Navy, he acquired a love for the State of Arizona which is unequalled among all of us who have been there for a very long time. He loved the beauty of the State, the ruggedness of it, the incredible variety in the flora and fauna. When I would visit John and Cindy's home in the Sedona area, I could always count on being taken on a hike around the perimeter of the property to show me all of the interesting things he had discovered over the last several months, including where the hawks live and where the owls live and where they found the rattlesnakes and all of the other things that pleased him to be a part of that environment.

So we are hopeful that we can get this Service Corps Act passed, if not in the latter part of this session, at least perhaps early next year.

I want my colleagues to know that although Senator McCain passed away in the early part of his Senate term, he was working on a lot of things that his staff and I wanted to continue to move forward, and I am just pleased we have been able to move these items forward and wanted my colleagues to appreciate that, as well as his friends and constituents in the State of Arizona.

I thank my colleagues here who helped to make some of these things possible and urge that they continue to focus on the one item of unfinished business that can perhaps be accomplished next year.

I conclude by thanking the Governor of the State of Arizona for appointing me to serve for part of the remainder of Senator McCain's term. It has been a great honor and privilege for me to again serve the people of the State of Arizona, particularly to succeed my friend and colleague John McCain.

I yield the floor.

Sen. Mark R. WarnerD-VA · Dec 19, 2018

Mr. President, I am going to be here on another matter in a moment, but I wanted to add my thanks to the great work that Senator Kyl has done. I remember coming here as a freshman Senator in early…

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Dec 13, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 578, S. 2827. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be…

Sen. Richard BurrR-NC · Dec 19, 2018

Mr. President, I want to add my thanks to my colleague from Arizona. I came to speak on something else, and I will say this: If there is one individual I have tried to emulate since the day I came to…

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Dec 13, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 613, S. 645. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be…

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued December 13, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2827

AN ACT

To amend the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Since 1999, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation (referred to in this Act as the Foundation) has operated the Parks in Focus program to provide opportunities for the youth of the United States to learn about and experience the Nation's parks and wilderness, and other outdoor areas.

(2)

Since 2001, the Foundation has conducted research and provided education and training to Native American and Alaska Native professionals and leaders on Native American and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy through the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy.

(3)

The Foundation is committed to continuing to make a substantial contribution toward public policy in the future by—

(A)

playing a significant role in developing the next generation of environmental, public health, public lands, natural resource, and Native American leaders; and

(B)

working with current leaders to improve collaboration and decision-making on challenging environmental, energy, public health, and related economic problems and tribal governance and economic development issues.

Definitions

(a)

In general

Section 4 of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5602) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2), by striking the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy established at the University of Arizona in 1987 and inserting the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy established in 1987 at the University of Arizona, and includes the Native Nations Institute;

(2)

by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (4) through (8), (11), and (12), respectively;

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)

the term collaboration means to work in partnership with other entities for the purpose of—

(A)

resolving disputes;

(B)

addressing issues that may cause or result in disputes; or

(C)

streamlining and enhancing Federal, State, or tribal environmental and natural resource decision-making processes or procedures that may result in a dispute or conflict;

;

(4)

in paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph (2)—

(A)

by striking United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and inserting John S. McCain III United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution; and

(B)

by striking section 7(a)(1)(D) and inserting section 7(a)(1)(B);

(5)

in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking section 1201(a) and inserting section 101(a); and

(6)

by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2), the following:

(9)

the term Nation's parks and wilderness means units of the National Park System and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System;

(10)

the term Native Nations Institute means the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy established at the University of Arizona in 2001;

(b)

Conforming amendment

Section 3(5)(B) of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5601(5)(B)) is amended by striking the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and inserting the Institute.

Establishment of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation

Section 5(e) of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5603(e)) is amended by striking Arizona. and inserting Arizona and the District of Columbia..

Purpose of the Foundation

Section 6 of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5604) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (4), by striking establish a Program for Environmental Policy Research and Environmental Conflict Resolution and Training at the Center and inserting establish a program for environmental policy research at the Center and a program for environmental conflict resolution and training at the John S. McCain III United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution;

(2)

in paragraph (5), by inserting , natural resource, conflict resolution, after environmental;

(3)

in paragraph (7)—

(A)

by inserting at the Native Nations Institute after develop resources; and

(B)

by inserting providing education to and after policy, by; and

(4)

in paragraph (8)—

(A)

by inserting John S. McCain III before United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution; and

(B)

by striking resolve environmental and inserting resolve environmental issues, conflicts, and.

Authority of the foundation

Section 7 of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5605) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C) and inserting the following:

(A)

General programming authority

The Foundation is authorized to identify and conduct, directly or by contract, such programs, activities, and services as the Foundation considers appropriate to carry out the purposes described in section 6, which may include—

(i)

awarding scholarships, fellowships, internships, and grants, by national competition or other method, to eligible individuals, as determined by the Foundation and in accordance with paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), for study in fields related to the environment or Native American and Alaska Native health care and tribal policy;

(ii)

funding the Center to carry out and manage other programs, activities, and services; and

(iii)

other education programs that the Board determines are consistent with the purposes for which the Foundation is established.

;

(ii)

by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (B); and

(iii)

in subparagraph (B), as redesignated—

(I)

in the subparagraph heading, by striking Institute for environmental conflict resolution and inserting John S. McCain III United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution;

(II)

in clause (i)—

(aa)

in subclause (I), by inserting John S. McCain III before United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution; and

(bb)

in subclause (II)—

(AA)

by inserting collaboration, after mediation,; and

(BB)

by striking to resolve environmental disputes. and inserting the following:

to resolve—

(aa)

environmental disputes; and

(bb)

Federal, State, or tribal environmental or natural resource decision-making processes or procedures that may result in a dispute or conflict that may cause or result in disputes.

; and

(III)

in clause (ii), by inserting collaboration, after mediation,;

(B)

by striking paragraph (5);

(C)

by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively;

(D)

by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

(5)

Parks in focus

The Foundation shall—

(A)

identify and invite the participation of youth throughout the United States to enjoy the Nation’s parks and wilderness and other outdoor areas, in an education program intended to carry out the purpose of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 6; and

(B)

provide training and education programs and activities to teach Federal employees, natural resource professionals, elementary and secondary school educators, and others to work with youth to promote the use and enjoyment of the Nation’s parks and wilderness and other outdoor areas.

(6)

Specific programs

The Foundation shall assist in the development and implementation of programs at the Center—

(A)

to provide for an annual meeting of experts to discuss contemporary environmental issues;

(B)

to conduct environmental policy research; and

(C)

to promote dialogue with visiting policymakers on environmental, natural resource, and public lands issues.

;

(E)

in paragraph (7), as redesignated by subparagraph (C), by striking Morris K. Udall’s papers and inserting the papers of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall; and

(F)

by adding at the end the following:

(9)

Native Nations Institute

The Foundation shall provide direct or indirect assistance to the Native Nations Institute from the annual appropriations to the Trust Fund in such amounts as Congress may direct to conduct research and provide education and training to Native American and Alaska Native professionals and leaders on Native American and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues as provided in section 6(7).

;

(2)

by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:

(c)

Program priorities

(1)

In general

The Foundation shall determine the priority of the programs to be carried out under this Act and the amount of funds to be allocated for such programs from the funds earned annually from the interest derived from the investment of the Trust Fund, subject to paragraph (2).

(2)

Limitations

In determining the amount of funds to be allocated for programs carried out under this Act for a year—

(A)

not less than 50 percent of such annual interest earnings shall be utilized for the programs set forth in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) of subsection (a);

(B)

not more than 17.5 percent of such annual interest earnings shall be allocated for salaries and other administrative purposes; and

(C)

not less than 20 percent of such annual interest earnings shall be appropriated to the Center for activities under paragraphs (7) and (8) of subsection (a).

; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(d)

Donations

Any funds received by the Foundation in the form of donations or grants, as well as any unexpended earnings on interest from the Trust Fund that is carried forward from prior years—

(1)

shall not be included in the calculation of the funds available for allocations pursuant to subsection (c); and

(2)

shall be available to carry out the provisions of this Act as the Board determines to be necessary and appropriate.

Use of Institute by Federal agency or other entity

Section 11 of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5607b) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by inserting collaboration, after mediation,; and

(B)

by striking resources. and inserting resources, or with a Federal, State, or tribal process or procedure that may result in a dispute or conflict.; and

(2)

in subsection (c)(2)(C), by inserting mediation, collaboration, and after agree to.

Administrative provisions

Section 12 of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5608) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (4), by striking accept, hold, administer, and utilize gifts and inserting accept, hold, solicit, administer, and utilize donations, grants, and gifts; and

(B)

in paragraph (7), by striking in the District of Columbia or its environs and inserting in the District of Columbia and Tucson, Arizona, or their environs; and

(2)

in subsection (b), by striking , with the exception of paragraph (4),.

Authorization of appropriations

Section 13(b) of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act (20 U.S.C. 5609(b)) is amended by striking fiscal years 2004 through 2008 and inserting fiscal years 2019 through 2022.

Audit of the Foundation

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall conduct an audit of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation.

Passed the Senate December 13, 2018.

Secretary