H.R. 2317: Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025

The Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025 (H.R. 2317) is a legislative proposal introduced by Representative Mark Amodei on March 25, 2025. The bill aims to transfer certain federal lands in northern Nevada to state and local entities to promote economic development, conservation efforts, and community projects. Key provisions include: authorizing the sale of federal lands to facilitate economic growth; designating specific areas as wilderness to protect natural habitats; allowing land exchanges to consolidate federal holdings and retain valuable natural resources; and conveying lands to local governments for public purposes such as infrastructure development and recreation. The bill does not authorize or appropriate specific funding and is currently at an early legislative stage, having been referred to the House Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Supporters of H.R. 2317 highlight its potential to stimulate economic growth in northern Nevada by making federal lands available for development. They emphasize that the bill balances development with conservation by designating new wilderness areas, thereby protecting natural habitats while promoting local economies. Proponents also note that the bill empowers local governments by transferring lands for public purposes, enabling infrastructure improvements and community projects.

Critics of H.R. 2317 express concerns that transferring federal lands for development could lead to environmental degradation and loss of public access to natural areas. They argue that the bill's emphasis on economic development may overshadow conservation efforts, potentially threatening wildlife habitats and biodiversity. Additionally, some opponents worry that the lack of specific funding provisions could result in inadequate resources for managing the newly designated wilderness areas and supporting local projects.

While there are no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor Mark Amodei's top donor industries and the subject matter of H.R. 2317, there is notable lobbying activity in related areas. For instance, Everyrealm Inc. and Constellium Rolled Products Ravenswood, LLC have contributed $50,000 each, and their interests may intersect with economic development and conservation initiatives. Additionally, L3Harris Technologies, which also contributed $30,000, operates in sectors that could be influenced by economic development policies. The presence of these lobbying entities suggests that while direct conflicts are absent, there are financial interests that could indirectly affect the bill's outcomes. Voters should be aware that the absence of direct donor overlap does not eliminate the potential for influence from these significant contributions.

Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.

Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026