Technical corrections only. The changes between v2 and v3 reflect the bill's procedural progression from being reported in the House to being engrossed and passed by the House, including updates to the bill's status and formatting. There are no substantive policy changes to the text of the bill itself.
Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
- Committees
- Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 14, 2026
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
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.
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
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
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.