A bill to establish the Big Cypress National Preserve in the State of Florida, and for other purposes.
Public Law 93-440 · H.R. 10088 · 93rd Congress · began in the House
Signed by Gerald Ford (R) on Oct 11, 1974 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Rep. James Haley (D-FL-8)
Cosponsors (24): Rep. John Saylor, Rep. Roy Taylor,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Establishes the Big Cypress National Preserve in the State of Florida.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation, by purchase with donated or appropriated funds or by exchange any lands, waters, or interests therein which are located within the boundaries of the preserve.
Prohibits the acquisition of any lands from the State of Florida other than by donation.
Permits owners of improved property, as a condition to the transfer of their lands, to retain for themselves and their heirs and assigns a right of use and occupancy in such property for a term not exceeding 25 years or, is lieu thereof, for a term ending with the death of the owner or his spouse, whichever is later.
Directs the Secretary to submit within a year after the enactment of this Act a detailed plan indicating: (1) the lands and areas which he deems essential to the protection and public enjoyment of this preserve, (2) the lands which he has previously acquired by purchase, donation, exchange or transfer for administration for the purpose of this preserve; and (3) the annual acquisition program (including the level of funding) which he recommends for the ensuing five fiscal years.
Authorizes to be appropriated an amount not to exceed $116,000,000 for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands, and an amount not to exceed $900,000 for development.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.
- Oct 11, 1974Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 93-440.
- Oct 3, 1974PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Oct 1, 1974Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate receded from certain Senate amendments.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to certain House amendments to certain Senate amendments.
- Sep 24, 1974Resolving differencesResolving differences · House disagreed to certain Senate amendment.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments with an amendment.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to certain Senate amendments.
- Sep 9, 1974FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Aug 22, 1974CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Oct 4, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Oct 3, 1973FloorFloor · Measure passed House, roll call #497 (376-2).House roll call 497
- Sep 13, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- Sep 6, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.