5 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in ENROLLED BILLcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Mar 16, 2026)

Technical corrections only. The changes between v3 and v5 are limited to formatting and legislative status indicators, such as the attestation and signing blocks. There are no substantive policy changes to the text of the bill.

Skipping v4 (RECEIVED IN SENATE). Those versions changed too little to need their own analysis, so they reuse ENGROSSED IN HOUSE's. Changes are measured from the most recent version analyzed on its own.

H.R. 4467119th CongressIntroduced Jul 16, 2025

Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act

Vetoed By PresidentPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Committees: Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Oct 14, 2026

This analysis was written for v3 (ENGROSSED IN HOUSE, Mar 16, 2026). ENROLLED BILL changed too little to need its own, so it reuses that one rather than a rewrite. The differences between the two are summarized above. View v3

Bottom line

This bill transfers specific federal land parcels within Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi to improve public access and visitor experience, while ensuring the land's use aligns with the Park's mission under federal oversight.

What it actually does

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey two specific parcels of federal land, totaling approximately 7.43 acres, from the Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi via quitclaim deed and without monetary consideration. Upon conveyance, the Park's boundary will be officially modified to exclude these parcels. The conveyed land must be used by the State to facilitate public access and enhance the visitor experience at the Park, consistent with its interpretive mission, and cannot adversely impact Park resources.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue that this legislation streamlines land management by allowing the State of Mississippi to manage specific areas for public benefit, potentially enabling more flexible or locally-driven improvements for public access and visitor amenities that align with the park's mission. They contend it enhances the visitor experience at a historically significant site and represents a no-cost transfer for the State, facilitating local control over specific parcels for park-related purposes.

Opponents contend

Potential opponents might raise concerns about transferring federal land, even without consideration, questioning whether the State's use will always align perfectly with federal preservation goals or if it sets a precedent for further boundary modifications. However, given the specific use restrictions and ongoing federal oversight outlined in the bill, strong organized opposition to this particular measure is unlikely.

The bill is exceptionally short and clearly written, making it highly accessible and quick to read for any interested party.

Section 2(a)

Conveyance of Specific Federal Land Parcels to the State of Mississippi

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer two specific parcels of federal land, totaling approximately 7.43 acres, from the Vicksburg National Military Park to the State of Mississippi. The transfer will be executed through a quitclaim deed, meaning the federal government relinquishes its claim to the land, and the State will receive it without any monetary payment. The parcels are precisely identified by maps dated September 2024.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupState of MississippiImpactGains ownership and control over approximately 7.43 acres of land previously within the Vicksburg National Military Park.MechanismDirect land conveyance via quitclaim deed without consideration.ScaleSpecific, localized land transfer.

GroupVicksburg National Military Park / National Park ServiceImpactRelinquishes federal ownership and direct management responsibility for the specified land parcels.MechanismTransfer of federal land to state control.ScaleMinor reduction in total federal land managed by the Park.

GroupGeneral Public / Park VisitorsImpactPotentially benefits from enhanced public access and improved visitor experience, as mandated for the land's use.MechanismState-led development or management of the conveyed land for park-related purposes.ScaleLocalized improvement in visitor amenities.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue that this transfer allows the State to manage these specific parcels, potentially enabling more flexible or locally-driven improvements for public access and visitor amenities that align with the park's mission, without the federal government incurring ongoing management costs for these specific areas.

Critics contend

While the bill includes use restrictions, some might argue that transferring federal land, even for park-related purposes, could lead to less stringent oversight than direct federal management or set a precedent for future land transfers that might not be as beneficial.

Tradeoffs

The tradeoff is between direct federal control over all park land versus empowering the State to manage specific parcels for park-related enhancements. The tension lies in ensuring the State's use remains consistently aligned with federal interpretive and preservation goals.

Section 2(b)

Boundary Modification of Vicksburg National Military Park

mentioned in summarystraightforward

This provision mandates that, immediately following the conveyance of the federal land described in subsection (a) to the State of Mississippi, the Secretary of the Interior must officially modify the boundary of the Vicksburg National Military Park. This modification will formally exclude the conveyed parcels from the park's designated federal area.

Section 2(c)

Mandated Use and Restrictions for Conveyed Land

mentioned in summarystraightforward

This section specifies the mandatory conditions for how the State of Mississippi must use the land it receives. It dictates that the land must be used to improve public access to the Park and enhance the visitor experience, in a manner consistent with the Park's interpretive mission, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. Furthermore, the State is prohibited from using the land in any way that negatively impacts Park resources or the visitor experience, and the Secretary retains the authority to impose any additional use restrictions deemed appropriate.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.

CosmeticWhat changed in ENROLLED BILLcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Mar 16, 2026)

H.R. 4467119th CongressIntroduced Jul 16, 2025

Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act

Vetoed By PresidentPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Committees: Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Oct 14, 2026

Bottom line

What it actually does

Proponents argue

Opponents contend

The bill is exceptionally short and clearly written, making it highly accessible and quick to read for any interested party.

Section 2(a)

Conveyance of Specific Federal Land Parcels to the State of Mississippi

prominently featuredstraightforward

GroupImpactMechanismScale

Supporters argue

Critics contend

Tradeoffs

Section 2(b)

Boundary Modification of Vicksburg National Military Park

mentioned in summarystraightforward

Section 2(c)

Mandated Use and Restrictions for Conveyed Land

mentioned in summarystraightforward