American Voices in Federal Lands Act

The American Voices in Federal Lands Act proposes to change how the public can participate in certain rulemaking related to public lands under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). It would redefine who counts as a participant in public involvement (shifting from “citizens” to “citizens of the United States” with reference to a separate provision), and it would alter the rulemaking process for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Forest System (via the U.S. Forest Service). Notably, the bill would reduce the usual notice-and-comment requirements and impose a citizenship filter and a CAPTCHA-like mechanism, raising questions about accessibility and legality of restricting participation to U.S. citizens only. The overall aim appears to be tightening and narrowing public input in federal land rulemaking.