Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act

# Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would change who has the power to create or expand national monuments. Currently, U.S. presidents can designate new national monuments or make existing ones larger under the Antiquities Act of 1906. If passed, HR 521 would remove this presidential authority and require Congress to vote on any new monument designations instead.

Essentially, it shifts decision-making power from the executive branch (the president) to the legislative branch (Congress). **Who It Affects and Key Implications** This bill would affect conservation efforts, land management, Native American tribes (who often advocate for monument protections), states with public lands, and environmental and recreational interests. Western states like Utah have been particularly involved in this debate, as much of their land is federally managed. The change would make monument designations more difficult, since they would require Congressional approval rather than presidential action alone—a process that typically requires more consensus but takes longer. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Celeste Maloy, a Republican from Utah.