Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act of 2009 (H.R. 715)
July 9, 2009 Full Committee Markup

Reporting H.R. 715 out of Committee: Favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote.

Rep. Bishop of Utah Amendment #1 – Protecting Private Property Rights (View Roll Call Vote)
Since the infamous Kelo Supreme Court decision, Americans have stood up against measures that allow the government to take private land through the use of eminent domain.  This amendment protects private property owners by eliminating the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to use eminent domain to take private land from Americans in order to expand this national park.

Rep. Bishop of Utah Amendment #3 – Protecting our Borders and Working for Crime-Free National Parks (View Roll Call Vote)
The Saguaro National Park was named one of the top 10 most dangerous parks by the Fraternal Order of Park Rangers. This amendment ensures that the National Park Service shall not prohibit, impede, or delay, the work of law enforcement - both local and federal.  Currently, the Border Patrol is unable to effectively investigate reports of violence and drug smuggling because of onerous regulations.

* For complete legislative action for the July 9, 2009 Full Committee Markup, click here.