[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 194 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
  S. 3194. 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; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Monterey 
Bay National Heritage Area Study Act. This legislation would direct the 
completion of a study to assess the feasibility of designating certain 
land along California's central coast as the Monterey Bay National 
Heritage Area.
  This bill would require the National Park Service to conduct a study 
to determine if coastal communities adjacent to the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary meet the requirements to be designated as a 
national heritage area. If passed, the Park Service would hold robust 
consultation and listening sessions with local stakeholders and 
community members to assess whether this designation is appropriate.
  A national heritage area designation recognizes a place's cultural, 
historical, and ecological value. These designations create public-
private partnerships that leverage Federal support to empower local 
conservation efforts, provide technical assistance, and spur economic 
development without imposing Federal land use restrictions or affecting 
private property.
  In California, where we already have two such designations, residents 
continue to retain their private property rights despite the 
designation. Nothing in this bill would allow the Federal Government to 
infringe upon private propertyb acquire land within a potential 
national heritage area boundary.
  My bill would also not immediately authorize the designation but, 
rather, assess the feasibility of moving toward a designation. I want 
to thank Senator Schiff for cosponsoring this bill, and I want to thank 
Representative Jimmy Panetta for leading this effort in the House.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
straightforward legislation to recognize the unique cultural, 
historical, and environmental treasures in the Monterey Bay region.

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