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CosmeticWhat changed in ENROLLED BILLcompared with PLACED ON CALENDAR SENATE (Dec 9, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The changes between v4 and v5 reflect the bill's progression from being placed on the Senate calendar to an enrolled bill, including updates to legislative headers, footers, and attestations. There are no substantive policy changes to the text of the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act.

H.R. 504·119th Congress·Introduced Jan 16, 2025

Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act

Became Public LawNative AmericansSubstantive
View bill text
Sponsor
Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]
Committees
Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action
Jan 8, 2026

Bottom line

H.R.504 expands the Miccosukee Reserved Area to include Osceola Camp and directs federal action to protect its structures from flooding.

What it actually does

This bill expands the Miccosukee Reserved Area (MRA) within Everglades National Park to formally include the area known as "Osceola Camp." It also mandates that the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Miccosukee Tribe, take appropriate actions within two years of enactment to protect structures within this newly designated Osceola Camp from flooding. This aims to formalize the Tribe's presence and ensure the safety of their infrastructure in the area.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue this bill is a crucial step in recognizing and protecting the Miccosukee Tribe's historical and cultural ties to the Everglades, specifically the Osceola Camp. They contend it provides necessary federal support to safeguard tribal structures from environmental threats like flooding, ensuring the long-term viability of their community and cultural practices within their traditional lands. This action strengthens tribal sovereignty and self-determination by formalizing land use and providing critical infrastructure protection.

Opponents contend

Critics might express concerns about the precedent of expanding reserved areas within national parks, potentially impacting the park's overall management plan or conservation efforts. They could argue that such expansions might lead to increased development pressures or alter the natural ecosystem, even if for tribal benefit. Some might also question the allocation of federal resources for flood protection in a specific area, especially within a sensitive ecological zone like the Everglades, without a broader environmental impact assessment.

The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.

Section 2

Expansion of Miccosukee Reserved Area to Include Osceola Camp

prominently featuredstraightforward

This section officially adds the land known as "Osceola Camp," as depicted on a specific map dated July 2023, to the definition of the "Miccosukee Reserved Area" (MRA) within Everglades National Park. This formalizes the inclusion of this specific area into the Tribe's reserved lands, requiring maps to be publicly available and filed with local authorities and the Tribe.

GroupImpactMechanismScale
GroupMiccosukee TribeImpactIncreased land base, formal recognition of traditional territory, enhanced tribal sovereignty.MechanismStatutory amendment to the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act.ScaleSpecific geographic area (Osceola Camp) within Everglades National Park.
GroupNational Park ServiceImpactAdjusted land management responsibilities within Everglades National Park.MechanismRedefinition of reserved area boundaries.ScaleLocalized to the Osceola Camp area.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this expansion is vital for the Miccosukee Tribe, providing formal recognition and protection for an area of significant cultural and historical importance. It ensures the Tribe's continued presence and traditional practices within their ancestral lands, reinforcing self-determination.

Critics contend

Opponents might raise concerns about the precedent of carving out additional areas within a national park, potentially impacting the park's ecological integrity or broader public access principles. They might argue for a more comprehensive review of land use within the Everglades.

Tradeoffs

The bill balances the federal commitment to tribal sovereignty and cultural preservation with the mission of national park conservation and management. It involves a specific land designation that may require adjustments to existing park management strategies.

Section 3

Mandate for Flood Protection in Osceola Camp

prominently featuredstraightforward

This section directs the Secretary (of the Interior) to take "appropriate actions" within two years of the bill's enactment to protect structures within the newly designated Osceola Camp from flooding. These actions must be carried out in consultation with the Miccosukee Tribe, emphasizing collaborative efforts to safeguard tribal infrastructure.

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.

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