Support and advance the Santini-Burton Modernization Act to allow use of existing Santini-Burton Act funds for ongoing land management in the Lake Tahoe Basin, prioritizing protection of lake clarity, reducing wildfire risk, addressing recreation impacts, and expanding Washoe Tribe land management authority.

Senator Cortez Masto’s Santini-Burton Modernization Act would allow U.S. Forest Service to once again use S-B Act funds to manage public lands in the Tahoe Basin, with an emphasis on protecting lake clarity, reducing wildfire risk, and addressing recreation impacts, all of which were outlined in the original law. The bill would also expand the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California’s authority to manage lands in the Basin.

Cortez Masto introduced the Santini-Burton Modernization Act, which would restore the use of Santini-Burton Act funds for the management of public lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin with prioritized focus areas, and would expand the Washoe Tribe’s eligible land management role.

Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Lake Tahoe Conservation Efforts - Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
primary · press_release · model gpt-4.1

Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 01/27/2026).

Congress.gov identifies Cortez Masto as the sponsor of S.3695, the Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026, reflecting her continued support for advancing that legislation.

S.3695 - Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 | Congress.gov
secondary · other · model gpt-5.5

Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 01/27/2026). Latest Action: Senate - 02/12/2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. Tracker: This bill has the status Introduced.

Cortez Masto introduced the Santini-Burton Modernization Act and it received a Senate subcommittee hearing, but it has not advanced beyond introduced status.

partial same_term A for effort

S.3695 - Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 | Congress.gov
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 98%

The hearing will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ... S. 3695, to amend Public Law 96-586 to modernize the authority of the Forest Service to acquire and administer land under that Act, and for other purposes (Cortez Masto).

The Senate Energy subcommittee formally took testimony on S.3695, confirming real legislative action on the bill but not final passage.

partial same_term A for effort

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee to Receive Testimony on Pending Legislation | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 95%

Congress.gov lists Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto as sponsor of S.3695, introduced January 27, 2026. The latest action is referral to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the tracker status is Introduced, not passed or enacted.

Cortez Masto introduced S.3695, but Congress.gov shows it remained at the introduced stage rather than becoming law.

never same_term A for effort

S.3695 - Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 | Congress.gov
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 99%

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing notice says the February 12, 2026 hearing would receive testimony on pending bills, including S.3695 by Cortez Masto to amend Public Law 96-586 and modernize Forest Service land acquisition and administration authority.

The committee held a hearing on S.3695, showing concrete advancement beyond introduction, but the hearing page does not show passage or enactment.

partial same_term A for effort

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee to Receive Testimony on Pending Legislation | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 97%

Julie W. Regan's hearing testimony identifies S.3695 as Sen. Cortez Masto's Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 and states that, if enacted, it would free existing funding for land management, clarity projects, recreation access, forest management, wildfire risk reduction, and expanded Washoe Tribe stewardship.

Official hearing testimony confirms S.3695 matches the promise's policy substance, while the conditional wording indicates the policy still depended on enactment.

partial same_term A for effort

Written Testimony of Julie W. Regan on S.3695, Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026 | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 96%

The Senate-hosted S.3695 summary says modernization would allow existing funds to be used for land management, prioritizing water quality, forest health, and recreation, and would designate the Washoe Tribe as eligible to receive acquired land for environmental purposes.

The committee record supports that the introduced bill addressed the promised policy details, but it describes what the bill would do if enacted, not a completed statutory change.

partial same_term A for effort

Regan Supplemental Material: S.3695 Summary, Santini-Burton Modernization Act | Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%