Collins applauds House passage of Georgia Land Protection Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement after the House passed the Natural Resources Management Act, which will expand the Ocmulgee National Monument, Fort Frederica National Monument, and Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park in Georgia.

“Public lands bring immeasurable value to Georgia’s history and economy. By expanding and protecting three historic sites in our state — the Ocmulgee National Monument, Fort Frederica National Monument, and Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park — the Natural Resources Management Act will provide Georgians with increased opportunities to appreciate our public lands.”

The Act also includes language from H.R. 752, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, which Collins introduced on January 24, 2019.

“The Equal Access to Justice Act was created to protect individuals and small business owners from overreaching legal action by the federal government,” Collins said . “Today’s bill restores needed transparency to ensure the Equal Access to Justice Act works as it was intended. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for including this language in the Natural Resources Management Act, and for working to protect American citizens from abusive litigation tactics.”

The Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) was created to help individuals recover attorney’s fees and costs associated with defending themselves against federal government lawsuits. The Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act creates greater transparency under EAJA by reinstating reporting requirements under the law and requiring the creation of a public and searchable database with information about the payments.

The Natural Resources Management Act will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.