Representative Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) introduced legislation to expand the boundary of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park by 151 acres and conduct a study of potential land acquisitions. H.R. 4438's innovative expansion would be managed through cooperative agreements, and ownership would remain with existing agencies and institutions.

One of the areas that would be studied for potential inclusion within the Park's boundary is eight miles of the San Antonio River. The lands considered in the 151-acre boundary adjustment would provide a vital buffer to the San Antonio River and receive treatments to remove invasive exotic plants. Adding eight additional miles would also help the river fully recover from the devastating effects of channelization and begin the long process of natural ecosystem restoration. Finally, the bill would expand green space in a densely populated urban area.

On July 13, the House took up H.R. 4438 under suspension of the rules and passed the bill by a vote of 264–114 (House roll call vote 435). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. Although a hearing was held on September 29 on companion bill S. 3524 in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests as well as the Subcommittee on National Parks, no further Senate action was taken to advance this legislation.