H.R. 3600House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act

Introduced May 28, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:49 AM UTC

The bill amends the National Trails System Act to create the Route 66 National Historic Trail, covering the historic alignments of U.S. Highway 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. It places the trail under National Park Service management and sets rules for land use, energy projects, and eminent domain. The designation affects federal agencies, landowners along the trail, and anyone using or developing the corridor.

Key Provisions

  • Designates the Route 66 National Historic Trail, including all alignments of U.S. Highway 66 that existed between 1926 and 1985, spanning about 2,400 miles from Illinois to California.
  • Requires the trail map to be kept on file and available for public inspection at the National Park Service.
  • Places administration of the trail with the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, while preserving its unique character.
  • Limits federal land acquisition to within the trail’s exterior boundary and to no more than a quarter‑mile on either side, and only with landowner consent.
  • States that the act does not create buffer zones, restrict energy development, or allow eminent domain for trail purposes.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 428.

December 7, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 28, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

May 28, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

July 8, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

July 8, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

November 9, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.

November 17, 2021

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

November 17, 2021

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

November 17, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.

November 17, 2021

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-593.

December 7, 2022

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 428.

December 7, 2022

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued December 7, 2022

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Union Calendar No. 428

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 3600

[Report No. 117–593]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 28, 2021

Mr. LaHood (for himself and Mrs. Napolitano) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

December 7, 2022

Additional sponsors: Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Harder of California, Mrs. Hartzler, Ms. Chu, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, and Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois

December 7, 2022

Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed


A BILL

To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Route 66 National Historic Trail, and for other purposes.


1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act.

2.

Designation of the Route 66 National Historic Trail

Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(31)

Route 66 National Historic Trail

(A)

In general

The Route 66 National Historic Trail, a trail that includes all the alignments of U.S. Highway 66 in existence between 1926 and 1985, extending along a route of approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, as generally depicted on the map entitled Route 66 National Historic Trail, Proposed Route, numbered P26/141,279, and dated December 2017.

(B)

Availability of map

The map described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

(C)

Administration

The Route 66 National Historic Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service. Such administration shall be conducted in a manner that respects and maintains the idiosyncratic nature of the Route 66 National Historic Trail.

(D)

Land Acquisition

The United States may not acquire for the Route 66 National Historic Trail any land or interest in land—

(i)

outside the exterior boundary of any federally managed area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land; or

(ii)

that extends more than an average of one-quarter of a mile on either side of the trail.

(E)

No buffer zone created

Nothing in this Act, the acquisition of the land or an interest in land authorized by this Act, or the management plan for the Route 66 National Historic Trail shall be construed to create buffer zones outside of the Trail. That activities or uses can be seen, heard, or detected from the acquired land shall not preclude, limit, control, regulate, or determine the conduct or management of activities or uses outside of the trail.

(F)

Energy

Nothing in this Act, the acquisition of land or an interest in land authorized by this Act, or the management plan for the Route 66 National Historic Trail shall prohibit, hinder, or disrupt the development, production, or transmission of energy.

(G)

Eminent Domain or Condemnation

In carrying out this Act, the Secretary of the Interior may not use eminent domain or condemnation.

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December 7, 2022

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed