HR 5555119th CongressIn Committee

Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act

Introduced: Sep 23, 2025

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 5555, the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a formal study to determine whether designating a Monterey Bay National Heritage Area is suitable and feasible. The study would examine land in California’s Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, and could include nearby areas in California that share similar heritage characteristics or are adjacent to the study area. The Secretary would conduct the study in consultation with the State of California, local governments and organizations, Tribal Governments, nonprofit groups (including the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership), and other relevant entities. The study must be carried out in accordance with the standards set out in section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code.

Key Points

1Purpose: Authorizes the Interior Secretary to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the described California lands as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area.
2Study Area: Specifically covers Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, plus any nearby California areas that share similar heritage and are adjacent to or near the specified counties.
3Stakeholder Involvement: Requires consultation with the State of California, local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities, including the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.
4Legal Framework: The study must be conducted under the standards of section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code (the federal framework governing National Heritage Areas and related studies/processes).
5Outcome and Limit: The bill only authorizes a study; it does not itself designate an area. Any designation would entail additional legislative action or steps beyond this bill.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Communities, local governments, tribes, and organizations within Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, as well as nearby areas that may be identified as part of the study.Secondary group/area affected: Businesses, tourism sectors, and cultural/historical organizations in the Central California coast region; nonprofit groups and regional economic partnerships (e.g., Monterey Bay Economic Partnership).Additional impacts: The study could lead to greater coordination among federal, state, and local entities and may inform future decisions about potential designation as a National Heritage Area, which would typically involve development of a management plan and partnerships. However, the bill itself does not authorize funding or outline a management plan or designation timeline.

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