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S 4538
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Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

S. 4538 To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating Washington's Trail--1753 as a national historic trail, and for other purposes.

Introduced May 14, 2026

Latest action (Sep 17, 2026) Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 658.

Referred to
National Parks Subcommittee Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Policy area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Legislative subjects (7)
Government studies and investigationsMarylandParks, recreation areas, trailsPennsylvaniaU.S. historyVirginiaWest Virginia

Summary
  • The bill amends the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on designating Washington's Trail—1753 as a national historic trail.
  • Washington's Trail—1753 extends approximately 500 miles from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Fort LeBoeuf (now Waterford), Pennsylvania.
  • The trail follows the route taken by George Washington and his party during a diplomatic mission to the French on behalf of Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie.
  • The diplomatic mission took place from October 31, 1753, to January 16, 1754, just prior to the start of the French and Indian War.

AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.

Sponsor (1)
5 cosponsors

Actions (6)
  1. Sep 17, 2026 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 658. · senate
  2. Sep 17, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report. · senate
  3. Jul 29, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. · senate
  4. Jul 21, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. · senate
  5. May 14, 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. · senate
  6. May 14, 2026 Introduced in Senate

More bills on these subjects (8)

Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).

  • HR 6938 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (shares 7 subjects)
  • HR 4566 — Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025 (shares 7 subjects)
  • S 4949 — Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (shares 5 subjects)
  • S 2708 — Appalachian Trail Centennial Act (shares 5 subjects)
  • HR 3838 — Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (shares 5 subjects)
  • HR 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (shares 5 subjects)
  • HR 3428 — Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act (shares 5 subjects)
  • HR 5134 — Appalachian Trail Centennial Act (shares 5 subjects)

Text versions (2)
  • Reported to Senate · Sep 17, 2026
  • Introduced in Senate · May 14, 2026

Full text

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2026

Mr. Fetterman (for himself, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Warner, Mr. Justice, and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

September 17, 2026

Reported by Mr. Lee, without amendment

A BILL

To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating Washington’s Trail—1753 as a national historic trail, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026”.

SEC. 2. WASHINGTON’S TRAIL—1753 NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY.

Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(50) Washington’s trail—1753.—Washington’s Trail—1753, extending approximately 500 miles from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Fort LeBoeuf (now Waterford), Pennsylvania, following the route taken by George Washington and his party on his diplomatic mission to the French on behalf of Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie from October 31, 1753, to January 16, 1754, just prior to the start of the French and Indian War (1754- 1763).”. Calendar No. 658

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4538

A BILL

To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating Washington’s Trail—1753 as a national historic trail, and for other purposes.

September 17, 2026

Reported without amendment

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