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S. 4538Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

Sponsored by John FettermanSen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
Introduced May 14, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 23, 2026 at 4:54 AM UTC

The Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026 amends the National Trails System Act to require the Interior Secretary to evaluate whether the historic route taken by George Washington in 1753 should become a national historic trail. The study would look at the roughly 500‑mile path from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Fort LeBoeuf (now Waterford), Pennsylvania. If approved, the designation could affect federal land management, tourism, and preservation efforts along that corridor.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new entry (item 50) to the list of trails in the National Trails System Act describing Washington’s Trail—1753, its length, and its historic significance.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on designating this route as a national historic trail.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 658.

September 17, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 14, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

May 14, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

National Parks Subcommittee

July 21, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

July 29, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

September 17, 2026

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 658.

September 17, 2026

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued September 17, 2026

II

Calendar No. 658

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4538

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2026

Mr. Fetterman (for himself, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Warner, Mr. Justice, and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

September 17, 2026

Reported by Mr. Lee, without amendment

A BILL

To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating Washington’s Trail—1753 as a national historic trail, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026.

2.

Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study

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

(50)

Washington’s Trail—1753

Washington’s Trail—1753, extending approximately 500 miles from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Fort LeBoeuf (now Waterford), Pennsylvania, following the route taken by George Washington and his party on his diplomatic mission to the French on behalf of Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie from October 31, 1753, to January 16, 1754, just prior to the start of the French and Indian War (1754–1763).

.

September 17, 2026

Reported without amendment