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H.R. 5555House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act

Sponsored by Jimmy PanettaRep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Introduced September 23, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM UTC

The Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act directs the Interior Secretary to examine if parts of California could be designated as a National Heritage Area. The study will involve state, local, tribal, and nonprofit partners and will focus on four coastal counties and any adjacent areas with comparable heritage values. The goal is to determine the suitability and feasibility of creating the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to carry out a study on whether land in California should be designated as a National Heritage Area.
  • The study must involve the State of California, local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit groups and other relevant entities, such as the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.
  • The areas to be studied include Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, and any nearby California area with similar heritage characteristics.
  • The study must follow the procedures set out in existing law (section 120103(a) of title 54, U.S. Code).

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Federal Lands Subcommittee

March 18, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 23, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

September 23, 2025

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

March 11, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Federal Lands Subcommittee

March 18, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 23, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5555

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 23, 2025

Mr. Panetta (for himself, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Lofgren, and Mr. Liccardo) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in California as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act.

2.

Study

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the State of California, local organizations and governmental agencies, Tribal Governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities, including the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the areas described in subsection (b) as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area.

(b)

Description of study area

The areas to be studied under subsection (a) include—

(1)

Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties in the State of California; and

(2)

any other area in the State of California that—

(A)

has heritage aspects that are similar to the heritage aspects of an area described in paragraph (1); and

(B)

is adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, an area described in paragraph (1).

(c)

Applicable Law

The study required under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code.