Senator Cynthia Lummis, along with Representative Celeste Maloy of Utah’s 2nd District, has introduced the CLEAR Act. This legislation seeks to repeal a rule from the Biden administration that expanded the U.S. Forest Service’s authority to prosecute certain state law violations on federal lands.
The rule in question gave the Forest Service power to enforce infractions such as controlled substance and alcohol possession, providing alcohol to minors, drug paraphernalia offenses, and property crimes within its jurisdiction.
Senator Lummis criticized the measure, stating: “The Biden administration’s Forest Service Criminal Prohibitions Rule undermines state and local police authority while unnecessarily muddying jurisdictional lines. This represents useless bureaucratic overreach rather than sound policy. I’m pleased to work with Rep. Maloy in introducing this measure to restore authority to state and municipal law enforcement.”
Senator Curtis also voiced support for the bill: “The U.S. Forest Service’s Criminal Prohibitions Rule goes far beyond the agency’s core mission of managing our public lands. This bill rescinds an unnecessary expansion of federal power, ensures that law enforcement responsibilities remain where they belong, and protects Americans from duplicative and confusing enforcement regimes. The CLEAR Act is a commonsense step toward transparent governance and respect for the rule of law.”
Sheriff Rod Odenbach, President of the Wyoming Sheriff’s Association, commented on local impacts: “The US Forest Service law enforcement contingent, while a great resource when needed, should be responsive to the needs of Wyoming citizens. The only effective way to accomplish a community first approach to enforcement is through the duly elected sheriffs that serve our Wyoming counties.”
Supporters argue that this legislative move aims to clarify which authorities are responsible for enforcing laws on public lands and reduce overlap between federal and local agencies.
