S. 1376 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 9, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStudies designating Benton MacKaye Trail as scenic
The Forest Service would study whether the Benton MacKaye Trail, which runs about 287 miles through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, should become an official national scenic trail. A national scenic trail designation is a formal recognition that gives a hiking route special status.
How it affects you
This is a planning step, not a change to the trail itself. If you hike or care about trails in the Southeast, the study could eventually lead to the trail getting national recognition and potentially more funding or protections, but that would come later. Most people won't notice any immediate difference.
Read the official summary (Reported to Senate, Oct 27, 2025)
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
This bill requires the Forest Service to study the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. The trail traverses approximately 287 miles in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1376
A BILL
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Tillis (R-NC) · Introduced Apr 9, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 27, 2025: “Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 2 official versions.