Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/5555
Last Updated: April 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

ID: P000613

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held

March 18, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act (HR 5555) is a masterclass in bureaucratic doublespeak. The main purpose? To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study. Wow, what a bold move. The objective? To assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in California as a National Heritage Area. Because, you know, we don't have enough national parks or protected areas already.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study (yawn) in consultation with various stakeholders, including local organizations, Tribal Governments, and nonprofit organizations. The study area includes four counties in California, plus any adjacent areas that might be deemed worthy. Oh, and it's all done in accordance with section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code, because who doesn't love a good dose of legalese?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: local governments, Tribal Governments, nonprofit organizations, and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. You know, the same folks who'll be lining up for federal funding and grants once this "study" is completed.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Let's get real here. This bill is a Trojan horse for more government spending, bureaucratic red tape, and environmental regulations that will strangle local businesses. The "study" will likely conclude that the area is worthy of designation as a National Heritage Area, which will lead to increased federal control over private land, restricted development, and a surge in tourism (because who doesn't love a good national park?). The real winners? Environmental groups, government agencies, and politicians looking for a photo op.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a bad case of "Bureaucratic-itis," characterized by an excessive use of buzzwords, vague objectives, and a complete lack of transparency. Symptoms include unnecessary studies, redundant regulations, and a healthy dose of pork-barrel politics. Treatment? A strong dose of skepticism, a healthy serving of ridicule, and a swift kick in the pants for our esteemed lawmakers.

In short, HR 5555 is a classic example of government waste, disguised as environmental protection. It's a bill that will accomplish nothing but to further enrich special interest groups and line the pockets of politicians. Bravo, Congress. You've done it again.

Related Topics

National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures Government Operations & Accountability Transportation & Infrastructure State & Local Government Affairs Civil Rights & Liberties Small Business & Entrepreneurship Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Federal Budget & Appropriations
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$89,200
25 donors
PACs
$1,500
Organizations
$17,400
Committees
$0
Individuals
$70,300
1
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
2 transactions
$1,500
1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
2 transactions
$6,600
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$5,000
3
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
4
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
1 transaction
$2,500

No committee contributions found

1
CROWN, LESTER
1 transaction
$6,600
2
KIM, SOON
1 transaction
$4,300
3
BASH, JEREMY
1 transaction
$3,300
4
BRANDENBURG, DIANE
1 transaction
$3,300
5
CHEW, CRAIG K
1 transaction
$3,300
6
DIXON, PETER
1 transaction
$3,300
7
HUGGINS, WILLIAM B.
1 transaction
$3,300
8
HUNTER, KENNETH
1 transaction
$3,300
9
LOCKHEIMER, ERICA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
MUSCARELLA, STEVE F
1 transaction
$3,300
11
NIELSEN, PETER W
1 transaction
$3,300
12
PACKARD, JULIE
1 transaction
$3,300
13
RAVA, JERRY J II
1 transaction
$3,300
14
SIEGEL, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
15
VECCHIARELLI, DANIEL
1 transaction
$3,300
16
SHAH, JAN
1 transaction
$3,300
17
RIVAS, RICK
1 transaction
$3,300
18
STORKAN, JOANNE M.
1 transaction
$3,300
19
WALTERS, ROBERT
1 transaction
$3,300
20
FISHER, ROBERT J
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

ID: M001225

Top Contributors

10

1
SNOQUALMIE TRIBE
Organization SNOQUALMIE, WA
$3,300
Nov 7, 2023
2
SNOQUALMIE TRIBE
Organization SNOQUALMIE, WA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
4
MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization MIAMI, OK
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
5
MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization MIAMI, OK
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
6
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$3,300
Jun 10, 2024
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
May 16, 2024
8
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
May 16, 2024
9
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Sep 17, 2024
10
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,000
Nov 5, 2024

Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

ID: C001112

Top Contributors

10

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization HIGHLAND, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jan 11, 2024
4
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 24, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
7
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
8
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Jun 26, 2024
9
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$2,000
Sep 21, 2023
10
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$1,500
Dec 19, 2023

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

ID: L000397

Top Contributors

10

1
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
2
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023
3
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
4
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
5
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Aug 27, 2023
6
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Aug 27, 2023
7
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
8
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
9
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023
10
ACTBLUE
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PAC CAMBRIDGE, MA
$3,000
Jul 16, 2023

Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16]

ID: L000607

Top Contributors

10

1
KENNETH RODRIGUES & PARTNERS, INC.
Organization MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
$2,000
Jun 24, 2024
2
USAMPAC CORPORATION
Organization FREMONT, CA
$2,000
May 13, 2024
3
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
Organization EL CAJON, CA
$1,000
Oct 15, 2024
4
POSITION2, INC.
Organization SANTA CLARA, CA
$1,000
Jul 29, 2024
5
CORDANO, MIKE
PRIME IMPACT CAPITAL INVESTOR
Individual PLEASANTON, CA
$6,600
Oct 14, 2024
6
LIU, GERRY
WNC EXECUTIVE
Individual SARATOGA, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
7
SHROFF, MOHAK
LINKEDIN EXECUTIVE
Individual ATHERTON, CA
$6,600
Oct 22, 2024
8
HYNES, MARY
STANFORD UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
Individual ATHERTON, CA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2024
9
GLANVILLE, JACOB
CENTIVAX CEO
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$6,600
Oct 31, 2024
10
CORDANO, MIKE
PRIME IMPACT CAPITAL INVESTOR
Individual PLEASANTON, CA
$6,600
Oct 14, 2024

Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

ID: G000559

Top Contributors

10

1
SAN PABLO LYTTON
Organization SAN PABLO, CA
$5,000
Aug 28, 2024
2
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
Organization BROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
Organization BROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
4
ONE LAKE HOLDING,LLC
Organization WALNUT CREEK, CA
$2,500
Nov 6, 2023
5
UNITED AUBURN INDIAN COMMUNITY OF AUBURN RANCHERIA
Organization SACRAMENTO, CA
$2,500
Oct 22, 2024
6
SAN PABLO LYTTON
Organization SAN PABLO, CA
$1,700
Aug 28, 2024
7
NAPA SOLANO BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
Organization FAIRFIELD, CA
$1,500
May 13, 2024
8
BAINS FARMING LP
Organization YUBA CITY, CA
$1,000
May 15, 2024
9
GRUPE, GREENLAW JR.
THE GRUPE CO. REAL ESTATE
Individual LODI, CA
$5,800
Nov 7, 2023
10
HALL, CRAIG
HALL FINANCIAL GROUP INVESTOR
Individual FRISCO, TX
$3,683
Dec 5, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 41 nodes and 43 connections

Total contributions: $135,500

Top Donors - Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

1 PAC4 Orgs20 Individuals