IB 

Union Calendar No. 365 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 6492 

[Report No. 118–441, Part I] 

To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access to, 

Federal public land, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 

Mr. WESTERMAN (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. CURTIS, Mr. NEGUSE, Mr. 

LAMBORN, Ms. BARRAGA ́N, Mr. MOYLAN, Mrs. PELTOLA, Mr. CARL, Ms. 

LEE of Nevada, Mrs. RADEWAGEN, Ms. PORTER, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. 

SABLAN, Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. COLLINS, Ms. 

LEGER FERNANDEZ, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. CASE) introduced the following 

bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in 

addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Veterans’ Affairs, for a 

period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 

consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

APRIL 5, 2024 

Additional sponsors: Mr. TIFFANY, Mr. STAUBER, Mrs. GONZA ́LEZ-COLO ́N, 

Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. DUARTE, Ms. HOYLE of Oregon, Mr. FULCHER, Mr. 

HUFFMAN, Ms. PETTERSEN, Ms. SLOTKIN, Mr. MOORE of Utah, Mr. 

NEWHOUSE, Mr. WEBSTER of Florida, Ms. STANSBURY, Mr. EDWARDS, 

Ms. SCHRIER, Mr. MOSKOWITZ, Mr. ZINKE, Mr. BAIRD, Ms. NORTON, 

Mr. LIEU, Mr. BANKS, Mr. KEAN of New Jersey, Mr. YAKYM, Mrs. 

MCBATH, Ms. SCHOLTEN, Mr. LAWLER, Ms. TLAIB, Mrs. RODGERS of 

Washington, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. VASQUEZ, and Mr. COSTA

APRIL 5, 2024 

Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with an amendment 

[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 

APRIL 5, 2024 

Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Agriculture discharged; committed to the 


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Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered 

to be printed 

[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on November 29, 2023] 

A BILL 

To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater 

access to, Federal public land, and for other purposes. 


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1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

4 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ex5 panding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences 

6 Act’’ or the ‘‘EXPLORE Act’’. 

7 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 

8 this Act is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

TITLE I—OUTDOOR RECREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE 

Subtitle A—Outdoor Recreation Policy 

Sec. 111. Congressional declaration of policy. 

Sec. 112. Identifying opportunities for recreation. 

Sec. 113. Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation. 

Sec. 114. Recreation budget crosscut. 

Subtitle B—Public Recreation on Federal Recreational Lands and Waters 

Sec. 121. Biking on long-distance trails. 

Sec. 122. Protecting America’s rock climbing. 

Sec. 123. Range access. 

Sec. 124. Restoration of overnight campsites. 

Sec. 125. Federal interior land media. 

Sec. 126. Cape and antler preservation enhancement. 

Sec. 127. Motorized and nonmotorized access. 

Sec. 128. Aquatic resource activities assistance. 

Subtitle C—Supporting Gateway Communities and Addressing Park 

Overcrowding 

Sec. 131. Gateway communities. 

Sec. 132. Improved recreation visitation data. 

Sec. 133. Monitoring for improved recreation decision making. 

Subtitle D—Broadband Connectivity on Federal Recreational Lands and 

Waters 

Sec. 141. Connect Our Parks. 

Sec. 142. Broadband internet connectivity at developed recreation sites. 

Sec. 143. Public lands telecommunications cooperative agreements. 

Subtitle E—Public–Private Parks Partnerships 

Sec. 151. Authorization for lease of forest service administrative sites. 


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Sec. 152. Partnership agreements creating tangible savings. 

Sec. 153. Partnership agreements to modernize federally owned campgrounds, resorts, cabins, and visitor centers on Federal recreational lands 

and waters. 

Sec. 154. Parking and Restroom opportunities for Federal recreational lands and 

waters. 

Sec. 155. Pay-for-performance projects. 

Sec. 156. Outdoor recreation legacy partnership program. 

Sec. 157. American battlefield protection program enhancement. 

TITLE II—ACCESS AMERICA 

Sec. 201. Definitions. 

Subtitle A—Access for People With Disabilities 

Sec. 211. Accessible recreation inventory. 

Sec. 212. Trail inventory. 

Sec. 213. Trail pilot program. 

Sec. 214. Accessible trails. 

Sec. 215. Accessible recreation opportunities. 

Sec. 216. Assistive technology. 

Sec. 217. Savings clause. 

Subtitle B—Military and Veterans in Parks 

Sec. 221. Promotion of outdoor recreation for military servicemembers and veterans. 

Sec. 222. Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons. 

Sec. 223. Partnerships to promote military and veteran recreation. 

Sec. 224. National strategy for military and veteran recreation. 

Sec. 225. Recreation resource advisory committees. 

Sec. 226. Career and volunteer opportunities for veterans. 

Subtitle C—Youth Access 

Sec. 231. Increasing youth recreation visits to Federal land. 

Sec. 232. Every Kid Outdoors Act extension. 

TITLE III—SIMPLIFYING OUTDOOR ACCESS FOR RECREATION 

Sec. 301. Definitions. 

Subtitle A—Modernizing Recreation Permitting 

Sec. 311. Special recreation permit and fee. 

Sec. 312. Permitting process improvements. 

Sec. 313. Permit flexibility. 

Sec. 314. Permit administration. 

Sec. 315. Service First Initiative; Permits for multijurisdictional trips. 

Sec. 316. Forest service and bureau of land management temporary special recreation permits for outfitting and guiding. 

Sec. 317. Reviews for long-term permits. 

Sec. 318. Adjustment of allocated visitor-use days. 

Sec. 319. Liability. 

Sec. 320. Cost recovery reform. 

Sec. 321. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes. 


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Sec. 322. Online purchases and establishment of a digital version of America the 

Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 

Passes. 

Sec. 323. Savings provision. 

Subtitle B—Making Recreation a Priority 

Sec. 331. Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities. 

Subtitle C—Maintenance of Public Land 

Sec. 341. Volunteers in the National Forests and Public Lands Act. 

Sec. 342. Reference. 

Subtitle D—Recreation Not Red Tape 

Sec. 351. Good neighbor authority for recreation. 

Sec. 352. Permit relief for picnic areas. 

Sec. 353. Interagency report on special recreation permits for underserved communities. 

Sec. 354. Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act amendments. 

Sec. 355. Savings provision. 

1 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

2 In this Act: 

3 (1) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—The 

4 term ‘‘Federal land management agency’’ has the 

5 meaning given the term in section 802 of the Federal 

6 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 

7 6801). 

8 (2) FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS AND

9 WATERS.—The term ‘‘Federal recreational lands and 

10 waters’’ has the meaning given the term in section 

11 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 

12 Act (16 U.S.C. 6801). 

13 (3) GATEWAY COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘gateway 

14 community’’ means a community that serves as an 

15 entry point, or is adjacent, to a recreation destination 

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1 eral land at which there is consistently high, in the 

2 determination of the Secretaries, seasonal or year3 round visitation. 

4 (4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 

5 has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the In6 dian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 

7 Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 

8 (5) LAND USE PLAN.—The term ‘‘land use plan’’ 

9 means— 

10 (A) a land use plan prepared by the Sec11 retary pursuant to section 202 of the Federal 

12 Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 

13 U.S.C. 1712); and 

14 (B) a land management plan prepared by 

15 the Forest Service for a unit of the National For16 est Service pursuant to section 6 of the Forest 

17 and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning 

18 Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604). 

19 (6) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 

20 means each of— 

21 (A) the Secretary; and 

22 (B) the Secretary of Agriculture. 

23 (7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

24 the Secretary of the Interior. 


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1 (8) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec2 retary concerned’’ means— 

3 (A) the Secretary, with respect to land 

4 under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; or 

5 (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re6 spect to land managed by the Forest Service. 

7 (9) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of the 

8 several States, the District of Columbia, and each ter9 ritory of the United States. 

10 TITLE I—OUTDOOR RECREATION 

11 AND INFRASTRUCTURE 

12 Subtitle A—Outdoor Recreation 

13 Policy 

14 SEC. 111. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY. 

15 Congress declares that it is the policy of the Federal 

16 Government to foster and encourage recreation on Federal 

17 recreational lands and waters, to the extent consistent with 

18 the laws applicable to specific areas of Federal recreational 

19 lands and waters, including multiple-use mandates and 

20 land management planning requirements. 

21 SEC. 112. IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION. 

22 (a) INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENTS.— 

23 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 

24 shall— 


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1 (A) conduct an inventory and assessment of 

2 recreation resources for Federal recreational 

3 lands and waters; 

4 (B) develop the inventory and assessment 

5 with support from public comment; and 

6 (C) update the inventory and assessment as 

7 the Secretary concerned determines appropriate. 

8 (2) UNIQUE RECREATION VALUES.—An inven9 tory and assessment conducted under paragraph (1) 

10 shall— 

11 (A) recognize— 

12 (i) any unique recreation values and 

13 recreation opportunities; and 

14 (ii) areas of concentrated recreational 

15 use; and 

16 (B) identify, list, and map recreation re17 sources by— 

18 (i) type of recreation opportunity and 

19 type of natural or artificial recreation in20 frastructure; 

21 (ii) to the extent available, the level of 

22 use of the recreation resource as of the date 

23 of the inventory; and 

24 (iii) identify, to the extent practicable, 

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1 ties or use at a recreation resource identi2 fied under subparagraph (A). 

3 (3) ASSESSMENTS.—For any recreation resource 

4 inventoried under paragraph (1), the Secretary con5 cerned shall assess— 

6 (A) the maintenance needs of, and expenses 

7 necessary to administer, the recreation resource; 

8 (B) the suitability for developing, expand9 ing, or enhancing the recreation resource; and 

10 (C) the adequacy of the current manage11 ment of the recreation resource. 

12 (b) EXISTING EFFORTS.—To the extent practicable, the 

13 Secretary concerned shall use or incorporate existing appli14 cable research and planning decisions and processes in car15 rying out this section. 

16 (c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 200103 of 

17 title 54, United States Code, is amended— 

18 (1) by striking subsection (d); and 

19 (2) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), 

20 and (i) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), re21 spectively. 

22 SEC. 113. FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON OUTDOOR 

23 RECREATION. 

24 (a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 200102 of title 54, United 

25 States Code, is amended— 


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1 (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 

2 paragraphs (4) and (5) respectively; and 

3 (2) by inserting before paragraph (4), as so re4 designated, the following: 

5 ‘‘(1) COUNCIL.—The term ‘Council’ means the 

6 Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation 

7 established under section 200104. 

8 ‘‘(2) FEDERAL LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT

9 AGENCY.—The term ‘Federal land and water manage10 ment agency’ means the National Park Service, Bu11 reau of Land Management, United States Fish and 

12 Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of 

13 Reclamation, Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, and 

14 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra15 tion. 

16 ‘‘(3) FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS AND

17 WATERS.—The term ‘Federal recreational lands and 

18 waters’ has the meaning given the term in section 802 

19 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 

20 (16 U.S.C. 6801) and also includes Federal lands and 

21 waters managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 

22 Corps of Engineers, or National Oceanic and Atmos23 pheric Administration.’’. 

24 (b) ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL.—Section 200104 of 

25 title 54, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 


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1 ‘‘§ 200104. Federal interagency council on outdoor 

2 recreation 

3 ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 

4 an interagency council, to be known as the ‘Federal Inter5 agency Council on Outdoor Recreation’. 

6 ‘‘(b) COMPOSITION.— 

7 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall be com8 posed of representatives of each of the following agen9 cies, to be appointed by the head of the respective 

10 agency: 

11 ‘‘(A) The National Park Service. 

12 ‘‘(B) The Bureau of Land Management. 

13 ‘‘(C) The United States Fish and Wildlife 

14 Service. 

15 ‘‘(D) The Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

16 ‘‘(E) The Bureau of Reclamation. 

17 ‘‘(F) The Forest Service. 

18 ‘‘(G) The Army Corps of Engineers. 

19 ‘‘(H) The National Oceanic and Atmos20 pheric Administration. 

21 ‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS.—In addition to 

22 the members of the Council appointed under para23 graph (1), the Secretary may invite participation in 

24 the Council’s meetings or other activities from rep25 resentatives of the following: 


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1 ‘‘(A) The Council on Environmental Qual2 ity. 

3 ‘‘(B) The Natural Resources Conservation 

4 Service. 

5 ‘‘(C) Rural development programs of the 

6 Department of Agriculture. 

7 ‘‘(D) The National Center for Chronic Dis8 ease Prevention and Health Promotion. 

9 ‘‘(E) The Environmental Protection Agency. 

10 ‘‘(F) The Department of Transportation, in11 cluding the Federal Highway Administration. 

12 ‘‘(G) The Tennessee Valley Authority. 

13 ‘‘(H) The Department of Commerce, includ14 ing— 

15 ‘‘(i) the Bureau of Economic Analysis; 

16 ‘‘(ii) the National Travel and Tourism 

17 Office; and 

18 ‘‘(iii) the Economic Development Ad19 ministration. 

20 ‘‘(I) The Federal Energy Regulatory Com21 mission. 

22 ‘‘(J) An applicable State agency or office. 

23 ‘‘(K) An applicable agency or office of a 

24 local government. 


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1 ‘‘(L) Other organizations or interests, as de2 termined appropriate by the Secretary. 

3 ‘‘(3) STATE COORDINATION.—In determining ad4 ditional participants under this subsection, the Sec5 retary shall seek to ensure that States are invited and 

6 represented in the Council’s meetings or other activi7 ties. 

8 ‘‘(4) LEADERSHIP.—The leadership of the Coun9 cil shall rotate every 2 years among the Council mem10 bers appointed under paragraph (1), or as otherwise 

11 determined by the Secretary in consultation with the 

12 Secretaries of Agriculture, Defense, and Commerce. 

13 ‘‘(5) FUNDING.—Notwithstanding section 708 of 

14 title VII of division E of the Consolidated Appropria15 tions Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328), the Council 

16 members appointed under paragraph (1) may enter 

17 into agreements to share the management and oper18 ational costs of the Council. 

19 ‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—The Council shall meet as fre20 quently as appropriate for the purposes of coordinating on 

21 issues related to outdoor recreation, including— 

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1 mentation of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhance2 ment Act (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.), as appropriate; 

3 ‘‘(2) the response by Federal land and water 

4 management agencies to public health emergencies or 

5 other emergencies, including those that result in dis6 ruptions to, or closures of, Federal recreational lands 

7 and waters; 

8 ‘‘(3) investments relating to outdoor recreation 

9 on Federal recreational lands and waters, including 

10 funds made available under section 40804(b)(7) of the 

11 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 

12 6592a(b)(7)); 

13 ‘‘(4) management of emerging technologies on 

14 Federal recreational lands and waters; 

15 ‘‘(5) research activities, including quantifying 

16 the economic impacts of recreation; 

17 ‘‘(6) dissemination to the public of recreation-re18 lated information, in a manner that ensures the 

19 recreation-related information is easily accessible 

20 with modern communication devices; 

21 ‘‘(7) the improvement of access to Federal rec22 reational lands and waters; and 

23 ‘‘(8) the identification and engagement of part24 ners outside the Federal Government— 

25 ‘‘(A) to promote outdoor recreation; 


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1 ‘‘(B) to facilitate collaborative management 

2 of outdoor recreation; and 

3 ‘‘(C) to provide additional resources relat4 ing to enhancing outdoor recreation opportuni5 ties; and 

6 ‘‘(9) any other outdoor recreation-related issues 

7 that the Council determines necessary. 

8 ‘‘(d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section affects the au9 thorities, regulations, or policies of any Federal agency de10 scribed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).’’. 

11 (c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for 

12 chapter 2001 of title 54, United States Code, is amended 

13 by striking the item relating to section 200104 and insert14 ing the following: 

‘‘200104. Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation’’. 

15 SEC. 114. RECREATION BUDGET CROSSCUT. 

16 Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, 

17 beginning with fiscal year 2025, the Director of the Office 

18 of Management and Budget shall submit to Congress and 

19 make public online a report that describes and itemizes the 

20 total amount of funding relating to outdoor recreation that 

21 was obligated in the preceding fiscal year in accounts in 

22 the Treasury for the Department of the Interior and the 

23 Department of Agriculture. 


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1 Subtitle B—Public Recreation on 

2 Federal Recreational Lands and 

3 Waters 

4 SEC. 121. BIKING ON LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS. 

5 (a) IDENTIFICATION OF LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS.— 

6 Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment 

7 of this title, the Secretaries shall identify— 

8 (1) not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails 

9 that make use of trails and roads in existence on the 

10 date of the enactment of this title; and 

11 (2) not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an 

12 opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would 

13 qualify as a long-distance bike trail. 

14 (b) PUBLIC COMMENT.—The Secretaries shall— 

15 (1) develop a process to allow members of the 

16 public to comment regarding the identification of 

17 trails and areas under subsection (a); and 

18 (2) consider the identification, development, and 

19 completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographi20 cally equitable manner. 

21 (c) MAPS, SIGNAGE, AND PROMOTIONAL MATE22 RIALS.—For any long-distance bike trail identified under 

23 subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may— 

24 (1) publish and distribute maps, install signage, 

25 and issue promotional materials; and 


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1 (2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any 

2 non-Federal resources necessary for the stewardship, 

3 development, or completion of trails. 

4 (d) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 

5 of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries, in partnership 

6 with interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a 

7 report that lists the trails identified under subsection (a), 

8 including a summary of public comments received in ac9 cordance with the process developed under subsection (b). 

10 (e) CONFLICT AVOIDANCE WITH OTHER USES.—Be11 fore identifying a long-distance bike trail under subsection 

12 (a), the Secretary concerned shall ensure the long-distance 

13 bike trail— 

14 (1) minimizes conflict with— 

15 (A) the uses, before the date of the enact16 ment of this title, of any trail or road that is 

17 part of that long-distance bike trail; 

18 (B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, 

19 horseback riding, or use by pack and saddle stock 

20 are existing uses on the date of the enactment of 

21 this title; 

22 (C) the purposes for which any trail was or 

23 is established under the National Trails System 

24 Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.); and 


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1 (D) any area managed under the Wilder2 ness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and 

3 (2) complies with land use and management 

4 plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters 

5 that are part of that long-distance bike trail. 

6 (f) EMINENT DOMAIN OR CONDEMNATION.—In car7 rying out this section, the Secretaries may not use eminent 

8 domain or condemnation. 

9 (g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

10 (1) LONG-DISTANCE BIKE TRAIL.—The term 

11 ‘‘long-distance bike trail’’ means a continuous route, 

12 consisting of 1 or more trails or rights-of-way, that— 

13 (A) is not less than 80 miles in length; 

14 (B) primarily makes use of dirt or natural 

15 surface trails; 

16 (C) may require connections along paved or 

17 other improved roads; 

18 (D) does not include Federal recreational 

19 lands where mountain biking or related activi20 ties are not consistent with management require21 ments for those Federal recreational lands; and 

22 (E) to the maximum extent practicable, 

23 makes use of trails and roads that were on Fed24 eral recreational lands on or before the date of 

25 the enactment of this title. 


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1 (2) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 

2 means the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary 

3 of Agriculture, acting jointly. 

4 SEC. 122. PROTECTING AMERICA’S ROCK CLIMBING. 

5 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 

6 date of the enactment of this title, each Secretary concerned 

7 shall issue guidance for recreational climbing activities on 

8 covered Federal land. 

9 (b) APPLICABLE LAW.—The guidance issued under 

10 subsection (a) shall ensure that recreational climbing ac11 tivities comply with the laws (including regulations) appli12 cable to the covered Federal land. 

13 (c) WILDERNESS AREAS.—The guidance issued under 

14 subsection (a) shall recognize that recreational climbing 

15 (including the use, placement, and maintenance of fixed an16 chors) is an appropriate use within a component of the Na17 tional Wilderness Preservation System, if undertaken— 

18 (1) in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 

19 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and other applicable laws (in20 cluding regulations); and 

21 (2) subject to any terms and conditions deter22 mined by the Secretary concerned to be appropriate. 

23 (d) AUTHORIZATION.—The guidance issued under sub24 section (a) shall describe the requirements, if any, for the 

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1 reational climbing in a component of the National Wilder2 ness Preservation System, including any terms and condi3 tions determined by the Secretary concerned to be appro4 priate, which may be issued programmatically or on a case5 by-case basis. 

6 (e) EXISTING ROUTES.—The guidance issued under 

7 subsection (a) shall include direction providing for the con8 tinued use and maintenance of recreational climbing routes 

9 (including fixed anchors along the routes) in existence as 

10 of the date of the enactment of this title, in accordance with 

11 this Act. 

12 (f) PUBLIC COMMENT.—Before finalizing the guidance 

13 issued under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall 

14 provide opportunities for public comment with respect to 

15 the guidance. 

16 (g) COVERED FEDERAL LAND DEFINED.—In this sec17 tion, the term ‘‘covered Federal land’’— 

18 (1) means the lands described in subparagraphs 

19 (A) and (B) of paragraph (2); and 

20 (2) includes components of the National Wilder21 ness Preservation System. 

22 SEC. 123. RANGE ACCESS. 

23 (a) DEFINITION OF TARGET SHOOTING RANGE.—In 

24 this section, the term ‘‘target shooting range’’ means a de25 veloped and managed area that is authorized or operated 


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1 by the Forest Service, a concessioner of the Forest Service, 

2 or the Bureau of Land Management (or their lessee) specifi3 cally for the purposeful discharge by the public of legal fire4 arms, firearms training, archery, or other associated activi5 ties. 

6 (b) ASSESSMENT; IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET SHOOT7 ING RANGE LOCATIONS.— 

8 (1) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 

9 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

10 concerned shall make available to the public a list 

11 that— 

12 (A) identifies each National Forest and each 

13 Bureau of Land Management district that has a 

14 target shooting range that meets the requirements 

15 described in paragraph (3)(B); 

16 (B) identifies each National Forest and 

17 each Bureau of Land Management district that 

18 does not have a target shooting range that meets 

19 the requirements described in paragraph (3)(B); 

20 and 

21 (C) for each National Forest and each Bu22 reau of Land Management district identified 

23 under subparagraph (B), provides a determina24 tion of whether applicable law or the applicable 

25 land use plan prevents the establishment of a 


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1 target shooting range that meets the requirements 

2 described in paragraph (3)(B). 

3 (2) IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET SHOOTING

4 RANGE LOCATIONS.— 

5 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 

6 shall identify at least 1 suitable location for a 

7 target shooting range that meets the requirements 

8 described in paragraph (3)(B) within each Na9 tional Forest and each Bureau of Land Manage10 ment district with respect to which the Secretary 

11 concerned has determined under paragraph 

12 (1)(C) that the establishment of a target shooting 

13 range is not prevented by applicable law or the 

14 applicable land use plan. 

15 (B) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretaries, in 

16 consultation with the entities described in sub17 section (d), shall, for purposes of identifying a 

18 suitable location for a target shooting range 

19 under subparagraph (A)— 

20 (i) consider the proximity of areas fre21 quently used by recreational shooters; 

22 (ii) ensure that the target shooting 

23 range would not adversely impact a shoot24 ing range operated on non-Federal land; 

25 and 


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1 (iii) consider other nearby recreational 

2 uses, including proximity to units of the 

3 National Park System, to minimize poten4 tial conflict and prioritize visitor safety. 

5 (3) ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW TARGET SHOOTING

6 RANGES.— 

7 (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years 

8 after the date of the enactment of this title, at 1 

9 or more suitable locations identified on each eli10 gible National Forest and Bureau of Land Man11 agement district under paragraph (2)(A), the 

12 Secretary concerned shall— 

13 (i) subject to the availability of appro14 priations for such purpose, construct a tar15 get shooting range that meets the require16 ments described in subparagraph (B) or 

17 modify an existing target shooting range to 

18 meet the requirements described in subpara19 graph (B); or 

20 (ii) enter into an agreement with an 

21 entity described in subsection (d)(1), under 

22 which the entity shall establish or maintain 

23 a target shooting range that meets the re24 quirements described in subparagraph (B). 


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1 (B) REQUIREMENTS.—A target shooting 

2 range established under this paragraph— 

3 (i)(I) shall be able to accommodate ri4 fles and pistols; 

5 (II) may include skeet, trap, or sport6 ing clay infrastructure; and 

7 (III) may accommodate archery; 

8 (ii) shall include appropriate public 

9 safety designs and features, including— 

10 (I) significantly modified land11 scapes, including berms, buffer dis12 tances, or other public safety designs or 

13 features; and 

14 (II) a designated firing line; and 

15 (iii) may include— 

16 (I) shade structures; 

17 (II) trash containers; 

18 (III) restrooms; 

19 (IV) benches; and 

20 (V) any other features that the 

21 Secretary concerned determines to be 

22 necessary. 

23 (C) RECREATION AND PUBLIC PURPOSES

24 ACT.—For purposes of subparagraph (A), the 

25 Secretary concerned may consider a target shootVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 ing range that is located on land transferred or 

2 leased pursuant to the Act of June 14, 1926 

3 (commonly known as the ‘‘Recreation and Public 

4 Purposes Act’’) (44 Stat. 741, chapter 578; 43 

5 U.S.C. 869 et seq.), as a target shooting range 

6 that meets the requirements described in sub7 paragraph (B). 

8 (c) RESTRICTIONS.— 

9 (1) MANAGEMENT.—The management of a target 

10 shooting range shall be subject to such conditions as 

11 the Secretary concerned determines are necessary for 

12 the safe, responsible use of— 

13 (A) the target shooting range; and 

14 (B) the adjacent land and resources. 

15 (2) CLOSURES.—Except in emergency situations, 

16 the Secretary concerned shall seek to ensure that a 

17 target shooting range that meets the requirements de18 scribed in subsection (b)(3)(B), or an equivalent 

19 shooting range adjacent to a National Forest or Bu20 reau of Land Management district, is available to the 

21 public prior to closing Federal recreational lands and 

22 waters administered by the Chief of the Forest Service 

23 or the Director of the Bureau of Land Management 

24 to recreational shooting, in accordance with section 


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1 4103 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Man2 agement, and Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 7913). 

3 (d) COORDINATION.— 

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, 

5 the Secretaries shall coordinate with— 

6 (A) State, Tribal, and local governments; 

7 (B) nonprofit or nongovernmental organiza8 tions, including organizations that are signato9 ries to the memorandum of understanding enti10 tled ‘‘Federal Lands Hunting, Fishing, and 

11 Shooting Sports Roundtable Memorandum of 

12 Understanding’’ and signed by the Forest Service 

13 and the Bureau of Land Management on August 

14 17, 2006; 

15 (C) shooting clubs; 

16 (D) Federal advisory councils relating to 

17 hunting and shooting sports; and 

18 (E) individuals or entities with authorized 

19 leases or permits in an area under consideration 

20 for a target shooting range. 

21 (2) PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretaries may— 

22 (A) coordinate with an entity described in 

23 paragraph (1) to assist with the construction, 

24 modification, operation, or maintenance of a 

25 target shooting range; and 


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1 (B) explore opportunities to leverage fund2 ing to maximize non-Federal investment in the 

3 construction, modification, operation, or mainte4 nance of a target shooting range. 

5 (e) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after 

6 the date of the enactment of this title and annually there7 after through fiscal year 2033, the Secretaries shall submit 

8 to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 

9 Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 

10 House of Representatives a report describing the progress 

11 made with respect to the implementation of this section. 

12 (f) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section affects 

13 the authority of the Secretary concerned to administer a 

14 target shooting range that is in addition to the target shoot15 ing ranges that meet the requirements described in sub16 section (b)(3)(B) on Federal recreational lands and waters 

17 administered by the Secretary concerned. 

18 SEC. 124. RESTORATION OF OVERNIGHT CAMPSITES. 

19 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

20 (1) RECREATION AREA.—The term ‘‘Recreation 

21 Area’’ means the recreation area and grounds associ22 ated with the recreation area on the map entitled 

23 ‘‘Ouachita National Forest Camping Restoration’’ 

24 and dated November 30, 2023, on file with the Forest 

25 Service. 


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1 (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

2 the Secretary of Agriculture. 

3 (b) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 

4 (1) not later than 6 months after the date of the 

5 enactment of this title, identify 54 areas within the 

6 Recreation Area that may be suitable for overnight 

7 camping; and 

8 (2) not later than 2 years after the date of the 

9 enactment of this title— 

10 (A) review each area identified under para11 graph (1); and 

12 (B) from the areas so identified, select and 

13 establish at least 27 campsites and related facili14 ties within the Recreation Area for public use. 

15 (c) REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO CAMPSITES AND RE16 LATED FACILITIES.—The Secretary shall— 

17 (1) ensure that at least 27 campsites are avail18 able under subsection (b), of which not less than 8 

19 shall have electric and water hookups; and 

20 (2) ensure that each campsite and related facil21 ity identified or established under subsection (b) is lo22 cated outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance prob23 ability flood elevation. 

24 (d) REOPENING OF CERTAIN SITES.—Not later than 

25 30 days after the date of the enactment of this title, the 


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1 Secretary shall open each campsite within the Recreation 

2 Area that— 

3 (1) exists on the date of the enactment of this 

4 title; 

5 (2) is located outside of the 1 percent annual ex6 ceedance probability flood elevation; 

7 (3) was in operation on June 1, 2010; and 

8 (4) would not interfere with any current (as of 

9 the date of the enactment of this title) day use areas. 

10 (e) DAY USE AREAS.—Not later than 1 year after the 

11 date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary shall take 

12 such actions as are necessary to rehabilitate and make pub13 licly accessible the areas in the Recreation Area identified 

14 for year-round day use, including the following: 

15 (1) Loop A. 

16 (2) Loop B. 

17 (3) The covered, large-group picnic pavilion in 

18 Loop D. 

19 (4) The parking lot in Loop D. 

20 SEC. 125. FEDERAL INTERIOR LAND MEDIA. 

21 (a) FILMING IN NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM UNITS.— 

22 (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1009 of title 54, 

23 United States Code, is amended by striking section 

24 100905 and inserting the following: 


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1 ‘‘§ 100905. Filming and still photography in System 

2 units 

3 ‘‘(a) FILMING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY.— 

4 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure 

5 that a filming or still photography activity or similar 

6 project in a System unit (referred to in this section 

7 as a ‘filming or still photography activity’) and the 

8 authorizing or permitting of a filming or still photog9 raphy activity are carried out consistent with— 

10 ‘‘(A) the laws and policies applicable to the 

11 Service; and 

12 ‘‘(B) an applicable general management 

13 plan. 

14 ‘‘(2) NO PERMITS REQUIRED.—The Secretary 

15 shall not require an authorization or a permit or as16 sess a fee, if a fee for a filming or still photography 

17 activity is not otherwise required by law, for a film18 ing or still photography activity that— 

19 ‘‘(A)(i) involves fewer than 6 individuals; 

20 and 

21 ‘‘(ii) meets each of the requirements de22 scribed in paragraph (5); or 

23 ‘‘(B) is merely incidental to, or docu24 menting, an activity or event that is allowed or 

25 authorized at the System unit, regardless of— 


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1 ‘‘(i) the number of individuals partici2 pating in the allowed or authorized activity 

3 or event; or 

4 ‘‘(ii) whether any individual receives 

5 compensation for any products of the film6 ing or still photography activity. 

7 ‘‘(3) FILMING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AU8 THORIZATIONS FOR DE MINIMIS USE.— 

9 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall es10 tablish a de minimis use authorization for cer11 tain filming or still photography activities that 

12 meets the requirements described in subpara13 graph (F). 

14 ‘‘(B) POLICY.—For a filming or still pho15 tography activity that meets the requirements de16 scribed in subparagraph (F), the Secretary— 

17 ‘‘(i) may require a de minimis use au18 thorization; and 

19 ‘‘(ii) shall not require a permit. 

20 ‘‘(C) NO FEE.—The Secretary shall not 

21 charge a fee for a de minimis use authorization 

22 under this paragraph. 

23 ‘‘(D) ACCESS.—The Secretary shall enable 

24 members of the public to apply for and obtain a 


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1 de minimis use authorization under this para2 graph— 

3 ‘‘(i) through the website of the Service; 

4 and 

5 ‘‘(ii) in person at the field office of the 

6 applicable System unit. 

7 ‘‘(E) ISSUANCES.—The Secretary shall— 

8 ‘‘(i) establish a procedure— 

9 ‘‘(I) to automate the approval of 

10 an application submitted through the 

11 website of the Service under subpara12 graph (D)(i); and 

13 ‘‘(II) to issue a de minimis use 

14 authorization under this paragraph 

15 immediately on receipt of an applica16 tion that is submitted in person at the 

17 field office of the applicable System 

18 unit under subparagraph (D)(ii); and 

19 ‘‘(ii) if an application submitted under 

20 subparagraph (D) meets the requirements of 

21 this paragraph, immediately on receipt of 

22 the application issue a de minimis use au23 thorization for the filming or still photog24 raphy activity. 


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1 ‘‘(F) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall 

2 only issue a de minimis use authorization under 

3 this paragraph if the filming or still photog4 raphy activity— 

5 ‘‘(i) involves a group of not fewer than 

6 6 individuals and not more than 8 individ7 uals; 

8 ‘‘(ii) meets each of the requirements de9 scribed in paragraph (5); and 

10 ‘‘(iii) is consistent with subsection (c). 

11 ‘‘(G) CONTENTS.—A de minimis use au12 thorization issued under this paragraph shall list 

13 the requirements described in subparagraph (F). 

14 ‘‘(4) REQUIRED PERMITS.— 

15 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

16 paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may require a 

17 permit application and, if a permit is issued, 

18 assess a reasonable fee, as described in subsection 

19 (b)(1), for a filming or still photography activity 

20 that— 

21 ‘‘(i) involves more than 8 individuals; 

22 or 

23 ‘‘(ii) does not meet each of the require24 ments described in paragraph (5). 


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1 ‘‘(B) WILDERNESS ACT CLARIFICATION.—No 

2 provision of this subsection is intended to or 

3 shall be construed to conflict with the provisions 

4 of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 

5 seq.). 

6 ‘‘(5) REQUIREMENTS FOR FILMING OR STILL

7 PHOTOGRAPHY ACTIVITY.—The requirements referred 

8 to in paragraphs (2)(A)(ii), (3)(F)(ii), (4)(B), and 

9 (7)(C) are as follows: 

10 ‘‘(A) A person conducts the filming or still 

11 photography activity in a manner that— 

12 ‘‘(i) does not impede or intrude on the 

13 experience of other visitors to the applicable 

14 System unit; 

15 ‘‘(ii) except as otherwise authorized, 

16 does not disturb or negatively impact— 

17 ‘‘(I) a natural or cultural re18 source; or 

19 ‘‘(II) an environmental or scenic 

20 value; and 

21 ‘‘(iii) allows for equitable allocation or 

22 use of facilities of the applicable System 

23 unit. 


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1 ‘‘(B) The person conducts the filming or 

2 still photography activity at a location in which 

3 the public is allowed. 

4 ‘‘(C) The person conducting the filming or 

5 still photography activity does not require the 

6 exclusive use of a site or area. 

7 ‘‘(D) The person does not conduct the film8 ing or still photography activity in a localized 

9 area that receives a very high volume of visita10 tion. 

11 ‘‘(E) The person conducting the filming or 

12 still photography activity does not use a set or 

13 staging equipment, subject to the limitation that 

14 handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, 

15 and handheld lighting equipment) shall not be 

16 considered staging equipment for the purposes of 

17 this subparagraph. 

18 ‘‘(F) The person conducting the filming or 

19 still photography activity complies with and ad20 heres to visitor use policies, practices, and regu21 lations applicable to the applicable System unit. 

22 ‘‘(G) The filming or still photography activ23 ity is not likely to result in additional adminis24 trative costs being incurred by the Secretary 


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1 with respect to the filming or still photography 

2 activity, as determined by the Secretary. 

3 ‘‘(H) The person conducting the filming or 

4 still photography activity complies with other 

5 applicable Federal, State (as such term is de6 fined in section 3 of the EXPLORE Act), and 

7 local laws (including regulations), including 

8 laws relating to the use of unmanned aerial 

9 equipment. 

10 ‘‘(6) CONTENT CREATION.—Regardless of dis11 tribution platform, any video, still photograph, or 

12 audio recording for commercial or noncommercial 

13 content creation in a System unit shall be considered 

14 to be a filming or still photography activity under 

15 this subsection. 

16 ‘‘(7) EFFECT.— 

17 ‘‘(A) PERMITS REQUESTED THOUGH NOT

18 REQUIRED.—On the request of a person intend19 ing to carry out a filming or still photography 

20 activity, the Secretary may issue a permit for 

21 the filming or still photography activity, even if 

22 a permit for the filming or still photography ac23 tivity is not required under this section. 

24 ‘‘(B) NO ADDITIONAL PERMITS, COMMER25 CIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS, OR FEES FOR FILMVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 ING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AT AUTHORIZED

2 EVENTS.—A filming or still photography activity 

3 at an activity or event that is allowed or author4 ized, including a wedding, engagement party, 

5 family reunion, or celebration of a graduate, 

6 shall be considered merely incidental for the pur7 poses of paragraph (2)(B). 

8 ‘‘(C) MONETARY COMPENSATION.—The re9 ceipt of monetary compensation by the person 

10 conducting the filming or still photography ac11 tivity shall not affect the permissibility of the 

12 filming or still photography activity. 

13 ‘‘(b) FEES AND RECOVERY COSTS.— 

14 ‘‘(1) FEES.—The reasonable fees referred to in 

15 subsection (a)(4) shall meet each of the following cri16 teria: 

17 ‘‘(A) The reasonable fee shall provide a fair 

18 return to the United States. 

19 ‘‘(B) The reasonable fee shall be based on 

20 the following criteria: 

21 ‘‘(i) The number of days of the filming 

22 or still photography activity. 

23 ‘‘(ii) The size of the film or still pho24 tography crew present in the System unit. 


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1 ‘‘(iii) The quantity and type of film or 

2 still photography equipment present in the 

3 System unit. 

4 ‘‘(iv) Any other factors that the Sec5 retary determines to be necessary. 

6 ‘‘(2) RECOVERY OF COSTS.— 

7 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall col8 lect from the applicant for the applicable permit 

9 any costs incurred by the Secretary related to a 

10 filming or still photography activity subject to a 

11 permit under subsection (a)(4), including— 

12 ‘‘(i) the costs of the review or issuance 

13 of the permit; and 

14 ‘‘(ii) related administrative and per15 sonnel costs. 

16 ‘‘(B) EFFECT ON FEES COLLECTED.—All 

17 costs recovered under subparagraph (A) shall be 

18 in addition to the fee described in paragraph (1). 

19 ‘‘(3) USE OF PROCEEDS.— 

20 ‘‘(A) FEES.—All fees collected under this 

21 section shall— 

22 ‘‘(i) be available for expenditure by the 

23 Secretary, without further appropriation; 

24 and 

25 ‘‘(ii) remain available until expended. 


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1 ‘‘(B) COSTS.—All costs recovered under 

2 paragraph (2)(A) shall— 

3 ‘‘(i) be available for expenditure by the 

4 Secretary, without further appropriation, at 

5 the System unit at which the costs are col6 lected; and 

7 ‘‘(ii) remain available until expended. 

8 ‘‘(c) PROTECTION OF RESOURCES.—The Secretary 

9 shall not allow a person to undertake a filming or still pho10 tography activity if the Secretary determines that— 

11 ‘‘(1) there is a likelihood that the person would 

12 cause resource damage at the System unit, except as 

13 otherwise authorized; 

14 ‘‘(2) the person would create an unreasonable 

15 disruption of the use and enjoyment by the public of 

16 the System unit; or 

17 ‘‘(3) the filming or still photography activity 

18 poses a health or safety risk to the public. 

19 ‘‘(d) PROCESSING OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS.— 

20 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 

21 a process to ensure that the Secretary responds in a 

22 timely manner to an application for a permit for a 

23 filming or still photography activity required under 

24 subsection (a)(4). 


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1 ‘‘(2) COORDINATION.—If a permit is required 

2 under this section for 2 or more Federal agencies or 

3 System units, the Secretary and the head of any other 

4 applicable Federal agency, as applicable, shall, to the 

5 maximum extent practicable, coordinate permit proc6 essing procedures, including through the use of identi7 fying a lead agency or lead System unit— 

8 ‘‘(A) to review the application for the per9 mit; 

10 ‘‘(B) to issue the permit; and 

11 ‘‘(C) to collect any required fees.’’. 

12 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec13 tions for chapter 1009 of title 54, United States Code, 

14 is amended by striking the item relating to section 

15 100905 and inserting the following: 

‘‘100905. Filming and still photography in System units.’’. 

16 (b) FILMING ON OTHER FEDERAL LAND.—Public Law 

17 106–206 (16 U.S.C. 460l–6d) is amended by striking sec18 tion 1 and inserting the following: 

19 ‘‘SEC. 1. FILMING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY. 

20 ‘‘(a) FILMING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY.— 

21 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 

22 shall ensure that a filming or still photography activ23 ity or similar project at a Federal land management 

24 unit (referred to in this section as a ‘filming or still 

25 photography activity’) and the authorizing or permitVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 ting of a filming or still photography activity are 

2 carried out consistent with— 

3 ‘‘(A) the laws and policies applicable to the 

4 Secretary concerned; and 

5 ‘‘(B) an applicable general management 

6 plan. 

7 ‘‘(2) NO PERMITS REQUIRED.—The Secretary 

8 concerned shall not require an authorization or a per9 mit or assess a fee, if a fee for a filming or still pho10 tography activity is not otherwise required by law, 

11 for a filming or still photography activity that— 

12 ‘‘(A)(i) involves fewer than 6 individuals; 

13 and 

14 ‘‘(ii) meets each of the requirements de15 scribed in paragraph (5); or 

16 ‘‘(B) is merely incidental to, or docu17 menting, an activity or event that is allowed or 

18 authorized at the Federal land management 

19 unit, regardless of— 

20 ‘‘(i) the number of individuals partici21 pating in the allowed or authorized activity 

22 or event; or 

23 ‘‘(ii) whether any individual receives 

24 compensation for any products of the film25 ing or still photography activity. 


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1 ‘‘(3) FILMING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AU2 THORIZATIONS FOR DE MINIMIS USE.— 

3 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary con4 cerned shall establish a de minimis use author5 ization for certain filming or still photography 

6 activities that meets the requirements described 

7 in subparagraph (F). 

8 ‘‘(B) POLICY.—For a filming or still pho9 tography activity that meets the requirements de10 scribed in subparagraph (F), the Secretary con11 cerned— 

12 ‘‘(i) may require a de minimis use au13 thorization; and 

14 ‘‘(ii) shall not require a permit. 

15 ‘‘(C) NO FEE.—The Secretary concerned 

16 shall not charge a fee for a de minimis use au17 thorization under this paragraph. 

18 ‘‘(D) ACCESS.—The Secretary concerned 

19 shall enable members of the public to apply for 

20 and obtain a de minimis use authorization 

21 under this paragraph— 

22 ‘‘(i) through the website of the Depart23 ment of the Interior or the Forest Service, 

24 as applicable; and 


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1 ‘‘(ii) in person at the field office for the 

2 Federal land management unit. 

3 ‘‘(E) ISSUANCES.—The Secretary concerned 

4 shall— 

5 ‘‘(i) establish a procedure— 

6 ‘‘(I) to automate the approval of 

7 an application submitted through the 

8 website of the Department of the Inte9 rior or the Forest Service, as applica10 ble, under subparagraph (D)(i); and 

11 ‘‘(II) to issue a de minimis use 

12 authorization under this paragraph 

13 immediately on receipt of an applica14 tion that is submitted in person at the 

15 field office for the Federal land man16 agement unit under subparagraph 

17 (D)(ii); and 

18 ‘‘(ii) if an application submitted under 

19 subparagraph (D) meets the requirements of 

20 this paragraph, immediately on receipt of 

21 the application issue a de minimis use au22 thorization for the filming or still photog23 raphy activity. 

24 ‘‘(F) TERMS.—The Secretary concerned 

25 shall only issue a de minimis use authorization 


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1 under this paragraph if the filming or still pho2 tography activity— 

3 ‘‘(i) involves a group of not fewer than 

4 6 individuals and not more than 8 individ5 uals; 

6 ‘‘(ii) meets each of the requirements de7 scribed in paragraph (5); and 

8 ‘‘(iii) is consistent with subsection (c). 

9 ‘‘(G) CONTENTS.—A de minimis use au10 thorization issued under this paragraph shall list 

11 the requirements described in subparagraph (F). 

12 ‘‘(4) REQUIRED PERMITS.— 

13 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

14 paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary concerned may 

15 require a permit application and, if a permit is 

16 issued, assess a reasonable fee, as described in 

17 subsection (b)(1), for a filming or still photog18 raphy activity that— 

19 ‘‘(i) involves more than 8 individuals; 

20 or 

21 ‘‘(ii) does not meet each of the require22 ments described in paragraph (5). 

23 ‘‘(B) WILDERNESS ACT CLARIFICATION.—No 

24 provision of this subsection is intended to or 

25 shall be construed to conflict with the provisions 


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1 of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 

2 seq.). 

3 ‘‘(5) REQUIREMENTS FOR FILMING OR STILL

4 PHOTOGRAPHY ACTIVITY.—The requirements referred 

5 to in paragraphs (2)(A)(ii), (3)(F)(ii), (4)(B), and 

6 (7)(C) are as follows: 

7 ‘‘(A) A person conducts the filming or still 

8 photography activity in a manner that— 

9 ‘‘(i) does not impede or intrude on the 

10 experience of other visitors to the Federal 

11 land management unit; 

12 ‘‘(ii) except as otherwise authorized, 

13 does not disturb or negatively impact— 

14 ‘‘(I) a natural or cultural re15 source; or 

16 ‘‘(II) an environmental or scenic 

17 value; and 

18 ‘‘(iii) allows for equitable allocation or 

19 use of facilities of the Federal land manage20 ment unit. 

21 ‘‘(B) The person conducts the filming or 

22 still photography activity at a location in which 

23 the public is allowed. 


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1 ‘‘(C) The person conducting the filming or 

2 still photography activity does not require the 

3 exclusive use of a site or area. 

4 ‘‘(D) The person does not conduct the film5 ing or still photography activity in a localized 

6 area that receives a very high volume of visita7 tion. 

8 ‘‘(E) The person conducting the filming or 

9 still photography activity does not use a set or 

10 staging equipment, subject to the limitation that 

11 handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, 

12 and handheld lighting equipment) shall not be 

13 considered staging equipment for the purposes of 

14 this subparagraph. 

15 ‘‘(F) The person conducting the filming or 

16 still photography activity complies with and ad17 heres to visitor use policies, practices, and regu18 lations applicable to the Federal land manage19 ment unit. 

20 ‘‘(G) The filming or still photography activ21 ity is not likely to result in additional adminis22 trative costs being incurred by the Secretary con23 cerned with respect to the filming or still photog24 raphy activity, as determined by the Secretary 

25 concerned. 


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1 ‘‘(H) The person conducting the filming or 

2 still photography activity complies with other 

3 applicable Federal, State (as such term is de4 fined in section 3 of the EXPLORE Act), and 

5 local laws (including regulations), including 

6 laws relating to the use of unmanned aerial 

7 equipment. 

8 ‘‘(6) CONTENT CREATION.—Regardless of dis9 tribution platform, any video, still photograph, or 

10 audio recording for commercial or noncommercial 

11 content creation at a Federal land management unit 

12 shall be considered to be a filming or still photog13 raphy activity under this subsection. 

14 ‘‘(7) EFFECT.— 

15 ‘‘(A) PERMITS REQUESTED THOUGH NOT

16 REQUIRED.—On the request of a person intend17 ing to carry out a filming or still photography 

18 activity, the Secretary concerned may issue a 

19 permit for the filming or still photography activ20 ity, even if a permit for the filming or still pho21 tography activity is not required under this sec22 tion. 

23 ‘‘(B) NO ADDITIONAL PERMITS, COMMER24 CIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS, OR FEES FOR FILM25 ING AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AT AUTHORIZED


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1 EVENTS.—A filming or still photography activity 

2 at an activity or event that is allowed or author3 ized, including a wedding, engagement party, 

4 family reunion, or celebration of a graduate, 

5 shall be considered merely incidental for the pur6 poses of paragraph (2)(B). 

7 ‘‘(C) MONETARY COMPENSATION.—The re8 ceipt of monetary compensation by the person 

9 engaged in the filming or still photography ac10 tivity shall not affect the permissibility of the 

11 filming or still photography activity. 

12 ‘‘(b) FEES AND RECOVERY COSTS.— 

13 ‘‘(1) FEES.—The reasonable fees referred to in 

14 subsection (a)(4) shall meet each of the following cri15 teria: 

16 ‘‘(A) The reasonable fee shall provide a fair 

17 return to the United States. 

18 ‘‘(B) The reasonable fee shall be based on 

19 the following criteria: 

20 ‘‘(i) The number of days of the filming 

21 or still photography activity. 

22 ‘‘(ii) The size of the film or still pho23 tography crew present at the Federal land 

24 management unit. 


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1 ‘‘(iii) The quantity and type of film or 

2 still photography equipment present at the 

3 Federal land management unit. 

4 ‘‘(iv) Any other factors that the Sec5 retary concerned determines to be necessary. 

6 ‘‘(2) RECOVERY OF COSTS.— 

7 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary con8 cerned shall collect from the applicant for the ap9 plicable permit any costs incurred by the Sec10 retary concerned related to a filming or still pho11 tography activity subject to a permit under sub12 section (a)(4), including— 

13 ‘‘(i) the costs of the review or issuance 

14 of the permit; and 

15 ‘‘(ii) related administrative and per16 sonnel costs. 

17 ‘‘(B) EFFECT ON FEES COLLECTED.—All 

18 costs recovered under subparagraph (A) shall be 

19 in addition to the fee described in paragraph (1). 

20 ‘‘(3) USE OF PROCEEDS.— 

21 ‘‘(A) FEES.—All fees collected under this 

22 section shall— 

23 ‘‘(i) be available for expenditure by the 

24 Secretary concerned, without further appro25 priation; and 


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1 ‘‘(ii) remain available until expended. 

2 ‘‘(B) COSTS.—All costs recovered under 

3 paragraph (2)(A) shall— 

4 ‘‘(i) be available for expenditure by the 

5 Secretary concerned, without further appro6 priation, at the Federal land management 

7 unit at which the costs are collected; and 

8 ‘‘(ii) remain available until expended. 

9 ‘‘(c) PROTECTION OF RESOURCES.—The Secretary 

10 concerned shall not allow a person to undertake a filming 

11 or still photography activity if the Secretary concerned de12 termines that— 

13 ‘‘(1) there is a likelihood that the person would 

14 cause resource damage at the Federal land manage15 ment unit, except as otherwise authorized; 

16 ‘‘(2) the person would create an unreasonable 

17 disruption of the use and enjoyment by the public of 

18 the Federal land management unit; or 

19 ‘‘(3) the filming or still photography activity 

20 poses a health or safety risk to the public. 

21 ‘‘(d) PROCESSING OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS.— 

22 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 

23 shall establish a process to ensure that the Secretary 

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1 cation for a permit for a filming or still photography 

2 activity required under subsection (a)(4). 

3 ‘‘(2) COORDINATION.—If a permit is required 

4 under this section for 2 or more Federal agencies or 

5 Federal land management units, the Secretary con6 cerned and the head of any other applicable Federal 

7 agency, as applicable, shall, to the maximum extent 

8 practicable, coordinate permit processing procedures, 

9 including through the use of identifying a lead agency 

10 or lead Federal land management unit— 

11 ‘‘(A) to review the application for the per12 mit; 

13 ‘‘(B) to issue the permit; and 

14 ‘‘(C) to collect any required fees. 

15 ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

16 ‘‘(1) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT UNIT.—The 

17 term ‘Federal land management unit’ means— 

18 ‘‘(A) Federal land (other than National 

19 Park System land) under the jurisdiction of the 

20 Secretary of the Interior; and 

21 ‘‘(B) National Forest System land. 

22 ‘‘(2) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘Sec23 retary concerned’ means— 

24 ‘‘(A) the Secretary of the Interior, with re25 spect to land described in paragraph (1)(A); and 


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1 ‘‘(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re2 spect to land described in paragraph (1)(B).’’. 

3 SEC. 126. CAPE AND ANTLER PRESERVATION ENHANCE4 MENT. 

5 Section 104909(c) of title 54, United States Code, is 

6 amended by striking ‘‘meat from’’ and inserting ‘‘meat and 

7 any other part of an animal removed pursuant to’’. 

8 SEC. 127. MOTORIZED AND NONMOTORIZED ACCESS. 

9 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall seek 

10 to have, not later than 5 years after the date of the enact11 ment of this title, in a printed and publicly available for12 mat that is compliant with the format for geographic infor13 mation systems— 

14 (1) for each district administered by the Director 

15 of the Bureau of Land Management, a ground trans16 portation linear feature map authorized for public 

17 use or administrative use; and 

18 (2) for each unit of the National Forest System, 

19 a motor vehicle use map, in accordance with existing 

20 law. 

21 (b) OVER-SNOW VEHICLE-USE MAPS.—The Secretary 

22 concerned shall seek to have, not later than 10 years after 

23 the date of the enactment of this title, in a printed and 

24 publicly available format that is compliant with the format 

25 for geographic information systems, an over-snow vehicleVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 use map for each unit of Federal recreational lands and 

2 waters administered by the Chief of the Forest Service or 

3 Director of the Bureau of Land Management on which over4 snow vehicle-use occurs, in accordance with existing law. 

5 (c) OUT-OF-DATE MAPS.—Not later than 20 years 

6 after the date on which the Secretary concerned adopted or 

7 reviewed, through public notice and comment, a map de8 scribed in subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary concerned 

9 shall seek to review, through public notice and comment, 

10 and update, as necessary, the applicable map. 

11 (d) MOTORIZED AND NONMOTORIZED ACCESS.—The 

12 Secretaries shall seek to create additional opportunities, as 

13 appropriate, and in accordance with existing law, for mo14 torized and nonmotorized access and opportunities on Fed15 eral recreational lands and waters administered by the 

16 Chief of the Forest Service or the Director of the Bureau 

17 of Land Management. 

18 (e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section pro19 hibits a lawful use, including authorized motorized or non20 motorized uses, on Federal recreational lands and waters 

21 administered by the Chief of the Forest Service or the Direc22 tor of the Bureau of Land Management, if the Secretary 

23 concerned fails to meet a timeline established under this sec24 tion. 


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1 SEC. 128. AQUATIC RESOURCE ACTIVITIES ASSISTANCE. 

2 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

3 (1) AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES TASK FORCE.— 

4 The term ‘‘Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force’’ 

5 means the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force es6 tablished by section 1201(a) of the Nonindigenous 

7 Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 

8 (16 U.S.C. 4721(a)). 

9 (2) DECONTAMINATION.—The term ‘‘decon10 tamination’’ means actions to remove aquatic nui11 sance species to prevent introduction or spread into 

12 new aquatic ecosystems. 

13 (3) FEDERAL LAND AND WATER.—The term 

14 ‘‘Federal land and water’’ means Federal land and 

15 water operated and maintained by the Bureau of 

16 Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv17 ice, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Forest Service, or 

18 the National Park Service, as applicable. 

19 (4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 

20 has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 

21 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 

22 Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 

23 (5) INSPECTION.—The term ‘‘inspection’’ means 

24 actions to find aquatic nuisance species to prevent in25 troduction or spread into new aquatic ecosystems. 

26 (6) PARTNER.—The term ‘‘partner’’ means— 


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1 (A) a Reclamation State; 

2 (B) an Indian Tribe in a Reclamation 

3 State; 

4 (C) an applicable nonprofit organization in 

5 a Reclamation State; 

6 (D) a unit of local government in a Rec7 lamation State; or 

8 (E) a private entity. 

9 (7) RECLAMATION STATE.—The term ‘‘Reclama10 tion State’’ includes any of the following States: 

11 (A) Alaska. 

12 (B) Arizona. 

13 (C) California. 

14 (D) Colorado. 

15 (E) Idaho. 

16 (F) Kansas. 

17 (G) Montana. 

18 (H) Nebraska. 

19 (I) Nevada. 

20 (J) New Mexico. 

21 (K) North Dakota. 

22 (L) Oklahoma. 

23 (M) Oregon. 

24 (N) South Dakota. 

25 (O) Texas. 


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1 (P) Utah. 

2 (Q) Washington. 

3 (R) Wyoming. 

4 (8) RECLAMATION PROJECT.—The term ‘‘rec5 lamation project’’ has the meaning given such term in 

6 section 2803(3) of the Reclamation Projects Author7 ization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (16 U.S.C. 460l8 32(3)). 

9 (9) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 

10 means each of the following: 

11 (A) The Secretary, acting through the Di12 rector of the Bureau of Land Management, the 

13 Commissioner of Reclamation, and the Director 

14 of the National Park Service. 

15 (B) The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 

16 through the Chief of the Forest Service. 

17 (10) VESSEL.—The term ‘‘vessel’’ means any 

18 watercraft or other contrivance used or designed for 

19 transportation or navigation on, under, or imme20 diately above, water. 

21 (b) AUTHORITY OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, 

22 BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND

23 FOREST SERVICE WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN AQUATIC

24 RESOURCE ACTIVITIES ON FEDERAL LAND AND WATERS.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The head of each Federal land 

2 management agency is authorized to carry out inspec3 tions and decontamination of vessels entering or leav4 ing Federal land and waters under the jurisdiction of 

5 the respective Federal land management agency. 

6 (2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretaries shall— 

7 (A) in carrying out an inspection and de8 contamination under paragraph (1), coordinate 

9 with 1 or more partners; 

10 (B) consult with the Aquatic Nuisance Spe11 cies Task Force to identify potential improve12 ments and efficiencies in the detection and man13 agement of aquatic nuisance species on Federal 

14 land and water; and 

15 (C) to the maximum extent practicable, in16 spect and decontaminate vessels in a manner 

17 that minimizes disruptions to public access for 

18 boating and recreation in noncontaminated ves19 sels. 

20 (3) PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretaries may enter 

21 into a partnership to lead, collaborate with, or pro22 vide technical assistance to a partner— 

23 (A) to carry out an inspection or decon24 tamination of vessels; or 


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1 (B) to establish an inspection and decon2 tamination station for vessels. 

3 (4) LIMITATION.—The Secretaries shall not pro4 hibit access to vessels due solely to the absence of a 

5 Federal, State, or partner’s inspection program or 

6 station. 

7 (5) EXCEPTIONS.— 

8 (A) AUTHORITY TO REGULATE VESSELS.— 

9 Nothing in this section shall be construed to 

10 limit the authority of the Commandant of the 

11 Coast Guard to regulate vessels provided under 

12 any other provision of law. 

13 (B) APPLICABILITY.—Authorities granted 

14 in this subsection shall not apply at locations 

15 where inspection or decontamination activities 

16 would duplicate efforts by the Coast Guard. 

17 (6) DATA SHARING.—The Secretaries shall make 

18 available to a Reclamation State any relevant data 

19 gathered related to inspections or decontaminations 

20 carried out under this subsection in such State. 

21 (c) GRANT PROGRAM FOR RECLAMATION STATES FOR

22 VESSEL INSPECTION AND DECONTAMINATION STATIONS.— 

23 (1) VESSELS INSPECTIONS IN RECLAMATION

24 STATES.—Subject to the availability of appropria25 tions, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner 


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1 of Reclamation, shall establish a competitive grant 

2 program to provide financial assistance to partners to 

3 conduct inspections and decontamination of vessels 

4 operating in Reclamation projects, including to pur5 chase, establish, operate, or maintain a vessel inspec6 tion and decontamination station. 

7 (2) COST SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 

8 of a grant under paragraph (1), including personnel 

9 costs, shall not exceed 75 percent. 

10 (3) STANDARDS.—Before awarding a grant 

11 under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall determine 

12 that the project is technically and financially feasible. 

13 (4) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this sub14 section, the Secretary shall coordinate with— 

15 (A) each of the Reclamation States; 

16 (B) affected Indian Tribes; and 

17 (C) the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task 

18 Force. 

19 Subtitle C—Supporting Gateway 

20 Communities and Addressing 

21 Park Overcrowding 

22 SEC. 131. GATEWAY COMMUNITIES. 

23 (a) ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AND NEEDS IN GATEWAY

24 COMMUNITIES.—Using existing funds available to the Sec25 retaries, the Secretaries— 


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1 (1) shall collaborate with State and local govern2 ments, Indian Tribes, housing authorities, applicable 

3 trade associations, nonprofit organizations, private 

4 entities, and other relevant stakeholders to identify 

5 needs and economic impacts in gateway communities, 

6 including— 

7 (A) housing shortages; 

8 (B) demands on existing municipal infra9 structure; 

10 (C) accommodation and management of 

11 sustainable visitation; and 

12 (D) the expansion and diversification of vis13 itor experiences by bolstering the visitation at— 

14 (i) existing developed locations that are 

15 underutilized on nearby Federal rec16 reational lands and waters that are suitable 

17 for developing, expanding, or enhancing 

18 recreation use, as identified by the Secre19 taries; or 

20 (ii) existing developed and suitable 

21 lesser-known recreation sites, as identified 

22 under section 5(b)(1)(B), on nearby land 

23 managed by a State agency or a local agen24 cy; and 


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1 (2) may address a need identified under para2 graph (1) by— 

3 (A) providing financial or technical assist4 ance to a gateway community under an existing 

5 program; 

6 (B) entering into a lease, right-of-way, or 

7 easement, in accordance with applicable laws; or 

8 (C) issuing an entity referred to in para9 graph (1) a special use permit (other than a spe10 cial recreation permit (as defined in section 802 

11 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 

12 Act (16 U.S.C. 6801)), in accordance with appli13 cable laws. 

14 (b) TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BUSI15 NESSES.— 

16 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture 

17 (acting through the Administrator of the Rural Busi18 ness-Cooperative Service), in coordination with the 

19 Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce, shall pro20 vide to businesses in gateway communities the assist21 ance described in paragraph (2) to establish, operate, 

22 or expand infrastructure to accommodate and manage 

23 sustainable visitation, including hotels, campgrounds, 

24 and restaurants. 


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1 (2) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of Agriculture 

2 may provide assistance under paragraph (1) through 

3 the use of existing, or the establishment of new, entre4 preneur and vocational training programs, technical 

5 assistance programs, low-interest business loan pro6 grams, and loan guarantee programs. 

7 (c) PARTNERSHIPS.—In carrying out this section, the 

8 Secretaries may, in accordance with applicable laws, enter 

9 into a public-private partnership, cooperative agreement, 

10 memorandum of understanding, or similar agreement with 

11 a gateway community or a business in a gateway commu12 nity. 

13 SEC. 132. IMPROVED RECREATION VISITATION DATA. 

14 (a) CONSISTENT VISITATION DATA.— 

15 (1) ANNUAL VISITATION DATA.—The Secretaries 

16 shall establish a single visitation data reporting sys17 tem to report accurate annual visitation data, in a 

18 consistent manner, for— 

19 (A) each unit of Federal recreational lands 

20 and waters; and 

21 (B) land held in trust for an Indian Tribe, 

22 on request of the Indian Tribe. 

23 (2) CATEGORIES OF USE.—Within the visitation 

24 data reporting system established under paragraph 

25 (1), the Secretaries shall— 


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1 (A) establish multiple categories of different 

2 recreation activities that are reported consist3 ently across agencies; and 

4 (B) provide an estimate of the number of 

5 visitors for each applicable category established 

6 under subparagraph (A) for each unit of Federal 

7 recreational lands and waters. 

8 (b) REAL-TIME DATA PILOT PROGRAM.— 

9 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after 

10 the date of the enactment of this title, using existing 

11 funds available to the Secretaries, the Secretaries shall 

12 carry out a pilot program, to be known as the ‘‘Real13 Time Data Pilot Program’’ (referred to in this section 

14 as the ‘‘Pilot Program’’), to make available to the 

15 public, for each unit of Federal recreational lands 

16 and waters selected for participation in the Pilot Pro17 gram under paragraph (2)— 

18 (A) real-time or predictive data on visita19 tion (including data and resources publicly 

20 available from existing nongovernmental plat21 forms) at— 

22 (i) the unit of Federal recreational 

23 lands and waters; 


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1 (ii) to the extent practicable, areas 

2 within the unit of Federal recreational 

3 lands and waters; and 

4 (iii) to the extent practicable, recre5 ation sites managed by any other Federal 

6 agency, a State agency, or a local agency 

7 that are located near the unit of Federal 

8 recreational lands and waters; and 

9 (B) through multiple media platforms, in10 formation about lesser-known recreation sites lo11 cated near the unit of Federal recreational lands 

12 and waters (including recreation sites managed 

13 by any other Federal agency, a State agency, or 

14 a local agency), in an effort to encourage visita15 tion among recreational sites. 

16 (2) LOCATIONS.— 

17 (A) INITIAL NUMBER OF UNITS.—On estab18 lishment of the Pilot Program, the Secretaries 

19 shall select for participation in the Pilot Pro20 gram— 

21 (i) 10 units of Federal recreational 

22 lands and waters managed by the Sec23 retary; 

24 (ii) 5 units of Federal recreational 

25 lands and waters managed by the Secretary 


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1 of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of 

2 the Forest Service); 

3 (iii) 1 unit of Federal recreational 

4 lands and waters managed by the Secretary 

5 of Commerce (acting through the Adminis6 trator of the National Oceanic and Atmos7 pheric Administration); and 

8 (iv) 1 unit of Federal recreational 

9 lands and waters managed by the Assistant 

10 Secretary of Army for Civil Works. 

11 (B) REPORT.—Not later than 6 years after 

12 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secre13 taries shall submit a report to Congress regard14 ing the implementation of the pilot program, in15 cluding policy recommendations to expand the 

16 pilot program to additional units managed by 

17 the Secretaries. 

18 (C) FEEDBACK; SUPPORT OF GATEWAY COM19 MUNITIES.—The Secretaries shall— 

20 (i) solicit feedback regarding participa21 tion in the Pilot Program from commu22 nities adjacent to units of Federal rec23 reational lands and waters and the public; 

24 and 


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1 (ii) in carrying out subparagraphs (A) 

2 and (B), select a unit of Federal recreation 

3 lands and waters to participate in the Pilot 

4 Program only if the community adjacent to 

5 the unit of Federal recreational lands and 

6 waters is supportive of the participation of 

7 the unit of Federal recreational lands and 

8 waters in the Pilot Program. 

9 (3) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.—The Sec10 retaries may disseminate the information described in 

11 paragraph (1) directly or through an entity or orga12 nization referred to in subsection (c). 

13 (4) INCLUSION OF CURRENT ASSESSMENTS.—In 

14 carrying out the Pilot Program, the Secretaries may, 

15 to the extent practicable, rely on assessments com16 pleted or data gathered prior to the date of enactment 

17 of this title. 

18 (c) COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND THIRD-PARTY PRO19 VIDERS.—For purposes of carrying out this section, the Sec20 retary concerned may— 

21 (1) coordinate and partner with— 

22 (A) communities adjacent to units of Fed23 eral recreational lands and waters; 

24 (B) State and local outdoor recreation and 

25 tourism offices; 


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1 (C) local governments; 

2 (D) Indian Tribes; 

3 (E) trade associations; 

4 (F) local outdoor recreation marketing orga5 nizations; 

6 (G) permitted facilitated recreation pro7 viders; or 

8 (H) other relevant stakeholders; and 

9 (2) coordinate or enter into agreements, as ap10 propriate, with private sector and nonprofit partners, 

11 including— 

12 (A) technology companies; 

13 (B) geospatial data companies; 

14 (C) experts in data science, analytics, and 

15 operations research; or 

16 (D) data companies. 

17 (d) EXISTING PROGRAMS.—The Secretaries may use 

18 existing programs or products of the Secretaries to carry 

19 out this section. 

20 (e) PRIVACY CLAUSES.—Nothing in this section pro21 vides authority to the Secretaries— 

22 (1) to monitor or record the movements of a vis23 itor to a unit of Federal recreational lands and 

24 waters; 


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1 (2) to restrict, interfere with, or monitor a pri2 vate communication of a visitor to a unit of Federal 

3 recreational lands and waters; or 

4 (3) to collect— 

5 (A) information from owners of land adja6 cent to a unit of Federal recreational lands and 

7 waters; or 

8 (B) information on non-Federal land. 

9 (f) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 

10 the enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the Sec11 retaries shall publish on a website of the Secretaries a report 

12 that describes the annual visitation of each unit of Federal 

13 recreational lands and waters, including, to the maximum 

14 extent practicable, visitation categorized by recreational ac15 tivity. 

16 (g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 

17 (1) FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS AND

18 WATERS.—The term ‘‘Federal recreational lands and 

19 waters’’— 

20 (A) has the meaning given the term in sec21 tion 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation En22 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801); and 

23 (B) includes Federal lands and waters man24 aged by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 


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1 Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of En2 gineers. 

3 (2) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 

4 means— 

5 (A) the Secretary, with respect to lands 

6 under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; 

7 (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting 

8 through the Chief of the Forest Service, with re9 spect to lands under the jurisdiction of the Forest 

10 Service; 

11 (C) the Secretary of Commerce, acting 

12 through the Administrator of the National Oce13 anic and Atmospheric Administration, with re14 spect to federal waters under the jurisdiction of 

15 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis16 tration; and 

17 (D) the Assistant Secretary of Army for 

18 Civil Works, with respect to lakes and reservoirs 

19 under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of 

20 Engineers. 

21 SEC. 133. MONITORING FOR IMPROVED RECREATION DECI22 SION MAKING. 

23 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall seek to cap24 ture comprehensive recreation use data to better understand 

25 and inform decision making by the Secretaries. 


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1 (b) PILOT PROTOCOLS.—Not later than 1 year after 

2 the date of the enactment of this title, and after public no3 tice and comment, the Secretaries shall establish pilot proto4 cols at not fewer than 10 land management units under 

5 the jurisdiction of each of the Secretaries to model recre6 ation use patterns (including low-use recreation activities 

7 and dispersed recreation activities) that may not be effec8 tively measured by existing general and opportunistic sur9 vey and monitoring protocols. 

10 (c) SECRETARIES DEFINED.—In this section, the term 

11 ‘‘Secretaries’’ means— 

12 (1) the Secretary, with respect to lands under the 

13 jurisdiction of the Secretary; 

14 (2) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through 

15 the Chief of the Forest Service, with respect to lands 

16 under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service; 

17 (3) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through 

18 the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At19 mospheric Administration, with respect to federal 

20 waters under the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic 

21 and Atmospheric Administration; and 

22 (4) the Assistant Secretary of Army for Civil 

23 Works, with respect to lakes and reservoirs under the 

24 jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 


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1 Subtitle D—Broadband 

2 Connectivity on Federal Rec3 reational Lands and Waters 

4 SEC. 141. CONNECT OUR PARKS. 

5 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

6 (1) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.— 

7 The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ 

8 means— 

9 (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural 

10 Resources of the Senate; 

11 (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 

12 and Transportation of the Senate; 

13 (C) the Committee on Natural Resources of 

14 the House of Representatives; and 

15 (D) the Committee on Energy and Com16 merce of the House of Representatives. 

17 (2) BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE.— 

18 The term ‘‘broadband internet access service’’ has the 

19 meaning given the term in section 8.1(b) of title 47, 

20 Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regula21 tion). 

22 (3) CELLULAR SERVICE.—The term ‘‘cellular 

23 service’’ has the meaning given the term in section 

24 22.99 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 

25 successor regulation). 


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1 (4) NATIONAL PARK.—The term ‘‘National Park’’ 

2 means a unit of the National Park System. 

3 (5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

4 the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Di5 rector of the National Park Service. 

6 (b) ASSESSMENT.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 

8 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

9 shall complete an assessment of National Parks to 

10 identify— 

11 (A) locations in National Parks in which 

12 there is the greatest need for broadband internet 

13 access service, based on the considerations de14 scribed in paragraph (2)(A); and 

15 (B) areas in National Parks in which there 

16 is the greatest need for cellular service, based on 

17 the considerations described in paragraph 

18 (2)(B). 

19 (2) CONSIDERATIONS.— 

20 (A) BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERV21 ICE.—For purposes of identifying locations in 

22 National Parks under paragraph (1)(A), the Sec23 retary shall consider, with respect to each Na24 tional Park, the availability of broadband inter25 net access service in— 


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1 (i) housing; 

2 (ii) administrative facilities and re3 lated structures; 

4 (iii) lodging; 

5 (iv) developed campgrounds; and 

6 (v) any other location within the Na7 tional Park in which broadband internet 

8 access service is determined to be necessary 

9 by the superintendent of the National Park. 

10 (B) CELLULAR SERVICE.—For purposes of 

11 identifying areas in National Parks under para12 graph (1)(B), the Secretary shall consider, with 

13 respect to each National Park, the availability of 

14 cellular service in any developed area within the 

15 National Park that would increase— 

16 (i) the access of the public to emer17 gency services and traveler information 

18 technologies; or 

19 (ii) the communications capabilities of 

20 National Park Service employees. 

21 (3) REPORT.—On completion of the assessment 

22 under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 

23 the appropriate committees of Congress, and make 

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1 terior, a report describing the results of the assess2 ment. 

3 (c) PLAN.— 

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 

5 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

6 shall develop a plan, based on the results of the assess7 ment completed under subsection (b) and subject to 

8 paragraph (4)— 

9 (A) to install broadband internet access 

10 service infrastructure in certain locations in Na11 tional Parks; and 

12 (B) to install cellular service equipment and 

13 infrastructure in certain areas of National 

14 Parks. 

15 (2) CONSULTATION.—In developing the plan 

16 under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult 

17 with— 

18 (A) affected Indian Tribes; and 

19 (B) local stakeholders that the super20 intendent of the applicable National Park deter21 mines to be appropriate. 

22 (3) REQUIREMENTS.—The plan developed under 

23 paragraph (1) shall— 

24 (A) provide for avoiding or minimizing im25 pacts to— 


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1 (i) National Park viewsheds; 

2 (ii) cultural and natural resources; 

3 (iii) the visitor experience; 

4 (iv) historic properties and the 

5 viewsheds of historic properties; and 

6 (v) other resources or values of the Na7 tional Park. 

8 (B) provide for infrastructure providing 

9 broadband internet access service or cellular serv10 ice to be located in— 

11 (i) previously disturbed or developed 

12 areas; or 

13 (ii) areas zoned for uses that would 

14 support the infrastructure; 

15 (C) provide for the use of public-private 

16 partnerships— 

17 (i) to install broadband internet access 

18 service or cellular service equipment; and 

19 (ii) to provide broadband internet ac20 cess service or cellular service; 

21 (D) be technology neutral; and 

22 (E) in the case of broadband internet access 

23 service, provide for broadband internet access 

24 service of at least— 


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1 (i) a 100–Mbps downstream trans2 mission capacity; and 

3 (ii) a 20–Mbps upstream transmission 

4 capacity. 

5 (4) LIMITATION.—Notwithstanding paragraph 

6 (1), a plan developed under that paragraph shall not 

7 be required to address broadband internet access serv8 ice or cellular service in any National Park with re9 spect to which the superintendent of the National 

10 Park determines that there is adequate access to 

11 broadband internet access service or cellular service, 

12 as applicable. 

13 SEC. 142. BROADBAND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AT DE14 VELOPED RECREATION SITES. 

15 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary and the Chief of the 

16 Forest Service shall enter into an agreement with the Sec17 retary of Commerce to foster the installation or construction 

18 of broadband internet infrastructure at developed recreation 

19 sites on Federal recreational lands and waters to establish 

20 broadband internet connectivity— 

21 (1) subject to the availability of appropriations; 

22 and 

23 (2) in accordance with applicable law. 

24 (b) IDENTIFICATION.—Not later than 3 years after the 

25 date of the enactment of this title, and annually thereafter 


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1 through fiscal year 2031, the Secretary and the Chief of the 

2 Forest Service, in coordination with States and local com3 munities, shall make publicly available— 

4 (1) a list of the highest priority developed recre5 ation sites, as determined under subsection (c), on 

6 Federal recreational lands and waters that lack 

7 broadband internet; 

8 (2) to the extent practicable, an estimate of— 

9 (A) the cost to equip each of those sites with 

10 broadband internet infrastructure; and 

11 (B) the annual cost to operate that infra12 structure; and 

13 (3) a list of potential— 

14 (A) barriers to operating the infrastructure 

15 described in paragraph (2)(A); and 

16 (B) methods to recover the costs of that op17 eration. 

18 (c) PRIORITIES.—In selecting developed recreation 

19 sites for the list described in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary 

20 and the Chief of the Forest Service shall give priority to 

21 developed recreation sites— 

22 (1) at which broadband internet infrastructure 

23 has not been constructed due to— 

24 (A) geographic challenges; or 


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1 (B) the location having an insufficient 

2 number of nearby permanent residents, despite 

3 high seasonal or daily visitation levels; or 

4 (2) that are located in an economically distressed 

5 county that could benefit significantly from devel6 oping the outdoor recreation economy of the county. 

7 SEC. 143. PUBLIC LANDS TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERA8 TIVE AGREEMENTS. 

9 (a) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR THE DEPART10 MENT OF THE INTERIOR.—The Secretary may enter into 

11 cooperative agreements to carry out activities related to 

12 communications sites on lands managed by Federal land 

13 management agencies, including— 

14 (1) administering communications use author15 izations; 

16 (2) preparing needs assessments or other pro17 grammatic analyses necessary to establish commu18 nications sites and authorize communications uses on 

19 or adjacent to Federal recreational lands and waters 

20 managed by a Federal land management agency; 

21 (3) developing management plans for commu22 nications sites on or adjacent to Federal recreational 

23 lands and waters managed by a Federal land man24 agement agency on a competitively neutral, tech25 nology neutral, nondiscriminatory basis; 


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1 (4) training for management of communications 

2 sites on or adjacent to Federal recreational lands and 

3 waters managed by a Federal land management agen4 cy; 

5 (5) obtaining, improving access to, or estab6 lishing communications sites on or adjacent to Fed7 eral recreational lands and waters managed by a 

8 Federal land management agency; and 

9 (6) any combination of purposes described in 

10 subparagraphs (1) through (5). 

11 (b) CLARIFICATION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AU12 THORITY FOR THE FOREST SERVICE.—Section 8705(f) of 

13 the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (43 U.S.C. 

14 1761a(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 

15 ‘‘(6) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AUTHORITY.— 

16 Subject to the availability of appropriations made in 

17 advance for such purposes, the Secretary may enter 

18 into cooperative agreements to carry out the activities 

19 described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of para20 graph (4).’’. 

21 (c) ASSESSMENT OF RENTAL FEE RETENTION AU22 THORITY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact23 ment of this title, the Secretary shall conduct a comprehen24 sive assessment to evaluate the potential benefits of rental 

25 fee retention whereby any fee collected for the occupancy 


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1 and use of Federal lands and waters authorized by a com2 munications use authorization would be deposited into a 

3 special account and used solely for activities related to com4 munications sites on lands and waters managed by the Sec5 retary. 

6 Subtitle E—Public–Private Parks 

7 Partnerships 

8 SEC. 151. AUTHORIZATION FOR LEASE OF FOREST SERVICE 

9 ADMINISTRATIVE SITES. 

10 Section 8623 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 

11 2018 (16 U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 115–334) is amend12 ed— 

13 (1) in subsection (a)(2)(D), by striking ‘‘dwell14 ing;’’ and inserting ‘‘dwelling or multiunit dwell15 ing;’’; 

16 (2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘Secretary’’ in 

17 the middle of the sentence and inserting ‘‘Chief of the 

18 Forest Service, or their designee’’; 

19 (3) in subsection (e)— 

20 (A) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii)— 

21 (i) in subclause (I), by inserting ‘‘such 

22 as housing,’’ after ‘‘improvements,’’; 

23 (ii) in subclause (II), by striking 

24 ‘‘and’’ at the end; 


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1 (iii) in subclause (III), by striking 

2 ‘‘or’’ at the end and inserting ‘‘and’’; and 

3 (iv) by adding at the end the following: 

4 ‘‘(IV) services occurring off the 

5 administrative site that— 

6 ‘‘(aa) occur at another ad7 ministrative site in the same unit 

8 in which the administrative site 

9 is located or a different unit of the 

10 National Forest System; 

11 ‘‘(bb) benefit the National 

12 Forest System; and 

13 ‘‘(cc) support activities oc14 curring within the unit of the Na15 tional Forest System in which the 

16 administrative site is located; or’’; 

17 and 

18 (B) by adding at the end the following: 

19 ‘‘(6) LEASE TERM.— 

20 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term of a lease of 

21 an administrative site under this section shall be 

22 not more than 100 years. 

23 ‘‘(B) REAUTHORIZATION OF USE.—A lease 

24 of an administrative site under this section shall 


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1 include a provision for reauthorization of the use 

2 if the— 

3 ‘‘(i) use of the administrative site, at 

4 the time of reauthorization, is still being 

5 used for the purposes authorized; 

6 ‘‘(ii) use to be authorized under the 

7 new lease is consistent with the applicable 

8 land management plan; and 

9 ‘‘(iii) lessee is in compliance with all 

10 the terms of the existing lease.’’ 

11 ‘‘(C) SAVINGS.—A reauthorization of use 

12 under subparagraph (B) may include new terms 

13 in the use, as determined by the Chief of the For14 est Service, or their designee..’’; and 

15 (4) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘2023’’ each 

16 place it appears and inserting ‘‘2028’’. 

17 SEC. 152. PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS CREATING TAN18 GIBLE SAVINGS. 

19 Section 101703 of title 54, United States Code, is 

20 amended to read as follows: 

21 ‘‘§ 101703. Cooperative management agreements 

22 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—To facilitate the administration 

23 of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and condi24 tions as the Secretary considers advisable, may enter into 

25 an agreement with an eligible entity managing lands and 


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1 waters located near a System unit to provide for cooperative 

2 management of either a System unit or the lands and 

3 waters located near a System unit to promote more effective 

4 and efficient management of a System unit. The Secretary 

5 may not transfer administration responsibilities for any 

6 System unit under this paragraph. 

7 ‘‘(b) PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES.— 

8 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under a cooperative man9 agement agreement, the Secretary may acquire by 

10 purchase, donation, or exchange from and provide to 

11 an eligible entity on a reimbursable basis goods and 

12 services to be used by the Secretary or the eligible en13 tity in the cooperative management of land and 

14 waters. 

15 ‘‘(2) RETENTION OF FUNDS.—Reimbursements 

16 received under this section may be credited to the ap17 propriation current at the time reimbursements are 

18 received. 

19 ‘‘(c) CO-LOCATION.—Under the cooperative manage20 ment agreement, the Secretary and an eligible entity may 

21 co-locate in offices and facilities owned or leased by either 

22 party. 

23 ‘‘(d) EMPLOYEES.— 

24 ‘‘(1) ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEE.—The Secretary 

25 may arrange an assignment under section 3372 of 


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1 title 5 of a Federal employee or an employee of an eli2 gible entity as mutually agreed upon, for work on 

3 any Federal, State, local, or Tribal land. 

4 ‘‘(2) EXTENSION OF ASSIGNMENT.—The assign5 ment provided in paragraph (1) may be extended for 

6 any period of time determined by the Secretary and 

7 the eligible entity to be mutually beneficial. 

8 ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 

9 ‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible enti10 ty’ means a State or local entity or any political sub11 division thereof, or an Indian Tribe or Tribal organi12 zation. 

13 ‘‘(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ 

14 has the meaning given the term in section 4(e) of the 

15 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 

16 Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). 

17 ‘‘(3) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of the 

18 several States, the District of Columbia, and each ter19 ritory of the United States. 

20 ‘‘(4) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Tribal 

21 organization’ has the meaning given the term in sec22 tion 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu23 cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(1)).’’. 


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1 SEC. 153. PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS TO MODERNIZE FED2 ERALLY OWNED CAMPGROUNDS, RESORTS, 

3 CABINS, AND VISITOR CENTERS ON FEDERAL 

4 RECREATIONAL LANDS AND WATERS. 

5 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

6 (1) COVERED ACTIVITY.—The term ‘‘covered ac7 tivity’’ means— 

8 (A) a capital improvement, including the 

9 construction, reconstruction, and nonroutine 

10 maintenance of any structure, infrastructure, or 

11 improvement, relating to the operation of, or ac12 cess to, a covered recreation facility; and 

13 (B) any activity necessary to operate or 

14 maintain a covered recreation facility. 

15 (2) COVERED RECREATION FACILITY.—The term 

16 ‘‘covered recreation facility’’ means a federally owned 

17 campground, resort, cabin, or visitor center that is— 

18 (A) in existence on the date of the enact19 ment of this title; and 

20 (B) located on Federal recreational lands 

21 and waters administered by— 

22 (i) the Chief of the Forest Service; or 

23 (ii) the Director of the Bureau of Land 

24 Management. 

25 (3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti26 ty’’ means— 


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1 (A) a unit of State, Tribal, or local govern2 ment; 

3 (B) a nonprofit organization; and 

4 (C) a private entity. 

5 (b) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretaries shall establish 

6 a pilot program under which the Secretary concerned may 

7 enter into an agreement with, or issue or amend a land 

8 use authorization to, an eligible entity to allow the eligible 

9 entity to carry out covered activities relating to a covered 

10 recreation facility, subject to the requirements of this section 

11 and the terms of any relevant land use authorization, re12 gardless of whether the eligible entity holds, on the date of 

13 the enactment of this title, an authorization to be a conces14 sionaire for the covered recreation facility. 

15 (c) MINIMUM NUMBER OF AGREEMENTS OR LAND USE

16 AUTHORIZATIONS.—Not later than 3 years after the date 

17 of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned shall 

18 enter into at least 1 agreement or land use authorization 

19 under subsection (b) in— 

20 (1) a unit of the National Forest System in each 

21 region of the National Forest System; and 

22 (2) Federal recreational lands and waters ad23 ministered by the Director of the Bureau of Land 

24 Management in not fewer than 5 States in which the 


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1 Bureau of Land Management administers Federal 

2 recreational lands and waters. 

3 (d) REQUIREMENTS.— 

4 (1) DEVELOPMENT PLANS.—Before entering into 

5 an agreement or issuing a land use authorization 

6 under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall submit to 

7 the Secretary concerned a development plan that— 

8 (A) describes investments in the covered 

9 recreation facility to be made by the eligible enti10 ty during the first 3 years of the agreement or 

11 land use authorization; 

12 (B) describes annual maintenance spending 

13 to be made by the eligible entity for each year of 

14 the agreement or land use authorization; and 

15 (C) includes any other terms and conditions 

16 determined to be necessary or appropriate by the 

17 Secretary concerned. 

18 (2) AGREEMENTS AND LAND USE AUTHORIZA19 TIONS.—An agreement or land use authorization 

20 under subsection (b) shall— 

21 (A) be for a term of not more than 30 years, 

22 commensurate with the level of investment; 

23 (B) require that, not later than 3 years 

24 after the date on which the Secretary concerned 

25 enters into the agreement or issues or amends the 


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1 land use authorization, the applicable eligible en2 tity shall expend, place in an escrow account for 

3 the eligible entity to expend, or deposit in a spe4 cial account in the Treasury for expenditure by 

5 the Secretary concerned, without further appro6 priation, for covered activities relating to the ap7 plicable covered recreation facility, an amount or 

8 specified percentage, as determined by the Sec9 retary concerned, which shall be equal to not less 

10 than $500,000, of the anticipated receipts for the 

11 term of the agreement or land use authorization; 

12 (C) require the eligible entity to operate and 

13 maintain the covered recreation facility and any 

14 associated infrastructure designated by the Sec15 retary concerned in a manner acceptable to the 

16 Secretary concerned and the eligible entity; 

17 (D) include any terms and conditions that 

18 the Secretary concerned determines to be nec19 essary for a special use permit issued under sec20 tion 7 of the Act of April 24, 1950 (commonly 

21 known as the ‘‘Granger-Thye Act’’) (64 Stat. 84, 

22 chapter 97; 16 U.S.C. 580d), including the pay23 ment described in subparagraph (E) or the Fed24 eral Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 

25 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), as applicable; 


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1 (E) provide for payment to the Federal 

2 Government of a fee or a sharing of revenue— 

3 (i) consistent with— 

4 (I) the land use fee for a special 

5 use permit authorized under section 7 

6 of the Act of April 24, 1950 (commonly 

7 known as the ‘‘Granger-Thye Act’’) (64 

8 Stat. 84, chapter 97; 16 U.S.C. 580d); 

9 or 

10 (II) the value to the eligible entity 

11 of the rights provided by the agreement 

12 or land use authorization, taking into 

13 account the capital invested by, and 

14 obligations of, the eligible entity under 

15 the agreement or land use authoriza16 tion; and 

17 (ii) all or part of which may be offset 

18 by the work to be performed at the expense 

19 of the eligible entity that is separate from 

20 the routine costs of operating and main21 taining the applicable covered recreation fa22 cility and any associated infrastructure des23 ignated by the Secretary concerned, as de24 termined to be appropriate by the Secretary 

25 concerned; 


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1 (F) include provisions stating that— 

2 (i) the eligible entity shall obtain no 

3 property interest in the covered recreation 

4 facility pursuant to the expenditures of the 

5 eligible entity, as required by the agreement 

6 or land use authorization; 

7 (ii) all structures and other improve8 ments constructed, reconstructed, or nonrou9 tinely maintained by that entity under the 

10 agreement or land use authorization on 

11 land owned by the United States shall be 

12 the property of the United States; and 

13 (iii) the eligible entity shall be solely 

14 responsible for any cost associated with the 

15 decommissioning or removal of a capital 

16 improvement, if needed, at the conclusion of 

17 the agreement or land use authorization; 

18 and 

19 (G) be subject to any other terms and condi20 tions determined to be necessary or appropriate 

21 by the Secretary concerned. 

22 (e) LAND USE FEE RETENTION.—A land use fee paid 

23 or revenue shared with the Secretary concerned under an 

24 agreement or land use authorization under this section shall 

25 be available for expenditure by the Secretary concerned for 


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1 recreation-related purposes on the unit or area of Federal 

2 recreational lands and waters at which the land use fee or 

3 revenue is collected, without further appropriation. 

4 SEC. 154. PARKING AND RESTROOM OPPORTUNITIES FOR 

5 FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS AND 

6 WATERS. 

7 (a) PARKING OPPORTUNITIES.— 

8 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall seek to 

9 increase and improve parking opportunities for per10 sons recreating on Federal recreational lands and 

11 waters— 

12 (A) in accordance with existing laws and 

13 applicable land use plans; 

14 (B) in a manner that minimizes any in15 crease in maintenance obligations on Federal 

16 recreational lands and waters; and 

17 (C) in a manner that does not impact wild18 life habitat that is critical to the mission of a 

19 Federal agency responsible for managing Federal 

20 recreational lands and waters. 

21 (2) AUTHORITY.—To supplement the quantity of 

22 parking spaces available at units of Federal rec23 reational lands and waters on the date of the enact24 ment of this title, the Secretaries may— 


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1 (A) enter into a public-private partnership 

2 for parking opportunities on non-Federal land; 

3 (B) enter into contracts or agreements with 

4 State, Tribal, or local governments for parking 

5 opportunities using non-Federal lands and re6 sources; 

7 (C) lease non-Federal land for parking op8 portunities; or 

9 (D) provide alternative transportation sys10 tems for a unit of Federal recreational lands and 

11 waters. 

12 (b) RESTROOM OPPORTUNITIES.— 

13 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall seek to 

14 increase and improve the function, cleanliness, and 

15 availability of restroom facilities for persons recre16 ating on Federal recreational lands and waters, in17 cluding by entering into partnerships with non-Fed18 eral partners, including State, Tribal, and local gov19 ernments and volunteer organizations. 

20 (2) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 

21 date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall 

22 submit a report to Congress that identifies— 

23 (A) challenges to maintaining or improving 

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1 room facilities on Federal recreational lands and 

2 waters; 

3 (B) the current state of restroom facilities 

4 on Federal recreational lands and waters and 

5 the effect restroom facilities have on visitor expe6 riences; and 

7 (C) policy recommendations that suggest in8 novative new models or partnerships to increase 

9 or improve the function, cleanliness, and avail10 ability of restroom facilities for persons recre11 ating on Federal recreational lands and waters. 

12 SEC. 155. PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE PROJECTS. 

13 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

14 (1) INDEPENDENT EVALUATOR.—The term ‘‘inde15 pendent evaluator’’ means an individual or entity, 

16 including an institution of higher education, that is 

17 selected by the pay-for-performance beneficiary and 

18 pay-for-performance investor, as applicable, or by the 

19 pay-for-performance project developer, in consultation 

20 with the Secretary of Agriculture, to make the deter21 minations and prepare the reports required under 

22 subsection (e). 

23 (2) NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.—The term 

24 ‘‘National Forest System land’’ means land in the 

25 National Forest System (as defined in section 11(a) 


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1 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 

2 Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a))). 

3 (3) PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT.—The 

4 term ‘‘pay-for-performance agreement’’ means a mu5 tual benefit agreement (excluding a procurement con6 tract, grant agreement, or cooperative agreement de7 scribed in chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code) 

8 for a pay-for-performance project— 

9 (A) with a term of— 

10 (i) not less than 1 year; and 

11 (ii) not more than 20 years; and 

12 (B) that is executed, in accordance with ap13 plicable law, by— 

14 (i) the Secretary of Agriculture; and 

15 (ii) a pay-for-performance beneficiary 

16 or pay-for-performance project developer. 

17 (4) PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE BENEFICIARY.—The 

18 term ‘‘pay-for-performance beneficiary’’ means a 

19 State or local government, an Indian Tribe, or a non20 profit or for-profit organization that— 

21 (A) repays capital loaned upfront by a pay22 for-performance investor, based on a project out23 come specified in a pay-for-performance agree24 ment; or 


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1 (B) provides capital directly for costs asso2 ciated with a pay-for-performance project. 

3 (5) PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE INVESTOR.—The 

4 term ‘‘pay-for-performance investor’’ means a State 

5 or local government, an Indian Tribe, or a nonprofit 

6 or for-profit organization that provides upfront 

7 loaned capital for a pay-for-performance project with 

8 the expectation of a financial return dependent on a 

9 project outcome. 

10 (6) PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE PROJECT.—The term 

11 ‘‘pay-for-performance project’’ means a project that— 

12 (A) would provide or enhance a recreational 

13 opportunity; 

14 (B) is conducted on— 

15 (i) National Forest System land; or 

16 (ii) other land, if the activities would 

17 benefit National Forest System land (in18 cluding a recreational use of National For19 est System land); and 

20 (C) would use an innovative funding or fi21 nancing model that leverages— 

22 (i) loaned capital from a pay-for-per23 formance investor to cover upfront costs as24 sociated with a pay-for-performance project, 

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1 performance beneficiary at a rate of return 

2 dependent on a project outcome, as meas3 ured by an independent evaluator; or 

4 (ii) capital directly from a pay-for5 performance beneficiary to support costs as6 sociated with a pay-for-performance project 

7 in an amount based on an anticipated 

8 project outcome. 

9 (7) PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE PROJECT DEVEL10 OPER.—The term ‘‘pay-for-performance project devel11 oper’’ means a nonprofit or for-profit organization 

12 that serves as an intermediary to assist in developing 

13 or implementing a pay-for-performance agreement or 

14 a pay-for-performance project. 

15 (8) PROJECT OUTCOME.—The term ‘‘project out16 come’’ means a measurable, beneficial result (whether 

17 economic, environmental, or social) that is attrib18 utable to a pay-for-performance project and described 

19 in a pay-for-performance agreement. 

20 (b) ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The Sec21 retary of Agriculture shall establish a pilot program in ac22 cordance with this section to carry out 1 or more pay-for23 performance projects. 

24 (c) PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE PROJECTS.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—Using funds made available 

2 through a pay-for-performance agreement or appro3 priations, all or any portion of a pay-for-performance 

4 project may be implemented by— 

5 (A) the Secretary of Agriculture; or 

6 (B) a pay-for-performance project developer 

7 or a third party, subject to the conditions that— 

8 (i) the Secretary of Agriculture shall 

9 approve the implementation by the pay-for10 performance project developer or third 

11 party; and 

12 (ii) the implementation is in accord13 ance with applicable law. 

14 (2) RELATION TO LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS.— 

15 A pay-for-performance project carried out under this 

16 section shall be consistent with any applicable land 

17 management plan developed under section 6 of the 

18 Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning 

19 Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604). 

20 (3) OWNERSHIP.— 

21 (A) NEW IMPROVEMENTS.—The United 

22 States shall have title to any improvements in23 stalled on National Forest System land as part 

24 of a pay-for-performance project. 


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1 (B) EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS.—Investing 

2 in, conducting, or completing a pay-for-perform3 ance project on National Forest System land 

4 shall not affect the title of the United States to— 

5 (i) any federally owned improvements 

6 involved in the pay-for-performance project; 

7 or 

8 (ii) the underlying land. 

9 (4) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—The carrying out of any 

10 action for a pay-for-performance project does not pro11 vide any right to any party to a pay-for-performance 

12 agreement. 

13 (5) POTENTIAL CONFLICTS.—Before approving a 

14 pay-for-performance project under this section, the 

15 Secretary of Agriculture shall consider and seek to 

16 avoid potential conflicts (including economic competi17 tion) with any existing written authorized use. 

18 (d) PROJECT AGREEMENTS.— 

19 (1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the Act of 

20 June 30, 1914 (38 Stat. 430, chapter 131; 16 U.S.C. 

21 498), or subtitle C of title XX of the Social Security 

22 Act (42 U.S.C. 1397n et seq.), in carrying out the 

23 pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Ag24 riculture may enter into a pay-for-performance agree25 ment under which a pay-for-performance beneficiary, 


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1 pay-for-performance investor, or pay-for-performance 

2 project developer agrees to pay for or finance all or 

3 part of a pay-for-performance project. 

4 (2) SIZE LIMITATION.—The Secretary of Agri5 culture may not enter into a pay-for-performance 

6 agreement under the pilot program under this section 

7 for a pay-for-performance project valued at more than 

8 $15,000,000. 

9 (3) FINANCING.— 

10 (A) IN GENERAL.—A pay-for-performance 

11 agreement shall specify the amounts that a pay12 for-performance beneficiary or a pay-for-per13 formance project developer agrees to pay to a 

14 pay-for-performance investor or a pay-for-per15 formance project developer, as appropriate, in 

16 the event of an independent evaluator deter17 mining pursuant to subsection (e) the degree to 

18 which a project outcome has been achieved. 

19 (B) ELIGIBLE PAYMENTS.—An amount de20 scribed in subparagraph (A) shall be— 

21 (i) based on— 

22 (I) the respective contributions of 

23 the parties under the pay-for-perform24 ance agreement; and 


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1 (II) the economic, environmental, 

2 or social benefits derived from the 

3 project outcomes; and 

4 (ii)(I) a percentage of the estimated 

5 value of a project outcome; 

6 (II) a percentage of the estimated cost 

7 savings to the pay-for-performance bene8 ficiary or the Secretary of Agriculture de9 rived from a project outcome; 

10 (III) a percentage of the enhanced rev11 enue to the pay-for-performance beneficiary 

12 or the Secretary of Agriculture derived from 

13 a project outcome; or 

14 (IV) a percentage of the cost of the 

15 pay-for-performance project. 

16 (C) FOREST SERVICE FINANCIAL ASSIST17 ANCE.—Subject to the availability of appropria18 tions, the Secretary of Agriculture may con19 tribute funding for a pay-for-performance project 

20 only if— 

21 (i) the Secretary of Agriculture dem22 onstrates that— 

23 (I) the pay-for-performance 

24 project would provide a cost savings to 

25 the United States; 


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1 (II) the funding would accelerate 

2 the pace of implementation of an activ3 ity previously planned to be completed 

4 by the Secretary of Agriculture; or 

5 (III) the funding would accelerate 

6 the scale of implementation of an ac7 tivity previously planned to be com8 pleted by the Secretary of Agriculture; 

9 and 

10 (ii) the contribution of the Secretary of 

11 Agriculture has a value that is not more 

12 than 50 percent of the total cost of the pay13 for-performance project. 

14 (D) SPECIAL ACCOUNT.—Any funds re15 ceived by the Secretary of Agriculture under sub16 section (c)(1)— 

17 (i) shall be retained in a separate fund 

18 in the Treasury to be used solely for pay19 for-performance projects; and 

20 (ii) shall remain available until ex21 pended and without further appropriation. 

22 (4) MAINTENANCE AND DECOMMISSIONING OF

23 PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS.—A 

24 pay-for-performance agreement shall— 


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1 (A) include a plan for maintaining any 

2 capital improvement constructed as part of a 

3 pay-for-performance project after the date on 

4 which the pay-for-performance project is com5 pleted; and 

6 (B) specify the party that will be respon7 sible for decommissioning the improvements as8 sociated with the pay-for-performance project— 

9 (i) at the end of the useful life of the 

10 improvements; 

11 (ii) if the improvements no longer 

12 serve the purpose for which the improve13 ments were developed; or 

14 (iii) if the pay-for-performance project 

15 fails. 

16 (5) TERMINATION OF PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE

17 PROJECT AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary of Agri18 culture may unilaterally terminate a pay-for-per19 formance agreement, in whole or in part, for any pro20 gram year beginning after the program year during 

21 which the Secretary of Agriculture provides to each 

22 party to the pay-for-performance agreement a notice 

23 of the termination. 

24 (e) INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS.— 


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1 (1) PROGRESS REPORTS.—An independent eval2 uator shall submit to the Secretary of Agriculture and 

3 each party to the applicable pay-for-performance 

4 agreement— 

5 (A) by not later than 2 years after the date 

6 on which the pay-for-performance agreement is 

7 executed, and at least once every 2 years there8 after, a written report that summarizes the 

9 progress that has been made in achieving each 

10 project outcome; and 

11 (B) before the first scheduled date for a pay12 ment described in subsection (d)(3)(A), and each 

13 subsequent date for payment, a written report 

14 that— 

15 (i) summarizes the results of the eval16 uation conducted by the independent eval17 uator to determine whether a payment 

18 should be made pursuant to the pay-for-per19 formance agreement; and 

20 (ii) analyzes the reasons why a project 

21 outcome was achieved or was not achieved. 

22 (2) FINAL REPORTS.—Not later than 180 days 

23 after the date on which a pay-for-performance project 

24 is completed, the independent evaluator shall submit 

25 to the Secretary of Agriculture and each party to the 


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1 pay-for-performance agreement a written report that 

2 includes, with respect to the period covered by the re3 port— 

4 (A) an evaluation of the effects of the pay5 for-performance project with respect to each 

6 project outcome; 

7 (B) a determination of whether the pay-for8 performance project has met each project out9 come; and 

10 (C) the amount of the payments made for 

11 the pay-for-performance project pursuant to sub12 section (d)(3)(A). 

13 (f) ADDITIONAL FOREST SERVICE-PROVIDED ASSIST14 ANCE.— 

15 (1) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of 

16 Agriculture may provide technical assistance to facili17 tate pay-for-performance project development, such as 

18 planning, permitting, site preparation, and design 

19 work. 

20 (2) CONSULTANTS.—Subject to the availability of 

21 appropriations, the Secretary of Agriculture may hire 

22 a contractor— 

23 (A) to conduct a feasibility analysis of a 

24 proposed pay-for-performance project; 


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1 (B) to assist in the development, implemen2 tation, or evaluation of a proposed pay-for-per3 formance project or a pay-for-performance agree4 ment; or 

5 (C) to assist with an environmental anal6 ysis of a proposed pay-for-performance project. 

7 (g) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—The Secretary of Agriculture 

8 shall approve a record of decision, decision notice, or deci9 sion memo for any activities to be carried out on National 

10 Forest System land as part of a pay-for-performance project 

11 before the Secretary of Agriculture may enter into a pay12 for-performance agreement involving the applicable pay13 for-performance project. 

14 (h) DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.— 

15 (1) SUNSET.—The authority to enter into a pay16 for-performance agreement under this section termi17 nates on the date that is 7 years after the date of the 

18 enactment of this title. 

19 (2) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in paragraph 

20 (1) affects any pay-for-performance project agreement 

21 entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture under 

22 this section before the date described in that para23 graph. 


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1 SEC. 156. OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP 

2 PROGRAM. 

3 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

4 (1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti5 ty’’ means an entity or combination of entities that 

6 represents or otherwise serves a qualifying area. 

7 (2) ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.—The 

8 term ‘‘eligible nonprofit organization’’ means an or9 ganization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the 

10 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from 

11 taxation under section 501(a) of such Code. 

12 (3) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means— 

13 (A) a State; 

14 (B) a political subdivision of a State, in15 cluding— 

16 (i) a city; 

17 (ii) a county; or 

18 (iii) a special purpose district that 

19 manages open space, including a park dis20 trict; and 

21 (C) an Indian Tribe, urban Indian organi22 zation, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 

23 community or organization. 

24 (4) LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘low25 income community’’ has the same meaning given that 

26 term in 26 U.S.C. 45D(e)(1). 


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1 (5) OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNER2 SHIP PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Outdoor Recreation Leg3 acy Partnership Program’’ means the program codi4 fied under subsection (b)(1). 

5 (6) QUALIFYING AREA.—The term ‘‘qualifying 

6 area’’ means— 

7 (A) an urbanized area or urban cluster that 

8 has a population of 25,000 or more in the most 

9 recent census; 

10 (B) 2 or more adjacent urban clusters with 

11 a combined population of 25,000 or more in the 

12 most recent census; or 

13 (C) an area administered by an Indian 

14 Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 

15 community organization. 

16 (b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 

17 (1) CODIFICATION OF PROGRAM.— 

18 (A) IN GENERAL.—There is established an 

19 existing program, to be known as the ‘‘Outdoor 

20 Recreation Legacy Partnership Program’’, under 

21 which the Secretary may award grants to eligi22 ble entities for projects— 

23 (i) to acquire land and water for parks 

24 and other outdoor recreation purposes in 

25 qualifying areas; and 


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1 (ii) to develop new or renovate existing 

2 outdoor recreation facilities that provide 

3 outdoor recreation opportunities to the pub4 lic in qualifying areas. 

5 (B) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants to eli6 gible entities under subparagraph (A), the Sec7 retary shall give priority to projects that— 

8 (i) create or significantly enhance ac9 cess to park and recreational opportunities 

10 in a qualifying area; 

11 (ii) engage and empower low-income 

12 communities and youth; 

13 (iii) provide employment or job train14 ing opportunities for youth or low-income 

15 communities; 

16 (iv) establish or expand public-private 

17 partnerships, with a focus on leveraging re18 sources; and 

19 (v) take advantage of coordination 

20 among various levels of government. 

21 (2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 

22 (A) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of receiv23 ing a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible en24 tity shall provide matching funds in the form of 

25 cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount 


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1 equal to not less than 100 percent of the amounts 

2 made available under the grant. 

3 (B) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more 

4 than 7 percent of funds provided to an eligible 

5 entity under a grant awarded under paragraph 

6 (1) may be used for administrative expenses. 

7 (3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In awarding grants to 

8 eligible entities under paragraph (1), the Secretary 

9 shall consider the extent to which a project would— 

10 (A) provide recreation opportunities in low11 income communities in which access to parks is 

12 not adequate to meet local needs; 

13 (B) provide opportunities for outdoor recre14 ation and public land volunteerism; 

15 (C) support innovative or cost-effective ways 

16 to enhance parks and other recreation— 

17 (i) opportunities; or 

18 (ii) delivery of services; 

19 (D) support park and recreation program20 ming provided by local governments, including 

21 cooperative agreements with community-based el22 igible nonprofit organizations; 

23 (E) develop Native American event sites 

24 and cultural gathering spaces; 


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1 (F) provide benefits such as community re2 silience, reduction of urban heat islands, en3 hanced water or air quality, or habitat for fish 

4 or wildlife; and 

5 (G) facilitate any combination of purposes 

6 listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F). 

7 (4) ELIGIBLE USES.— 

8 (A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph 

9 (B), an eligible entity may use a grant awarded 

10 under paragraph (1) for a project described in 

11 subparagraph (A) or (B) of that paragraph. 

12 (B) LIMITATIONS ON USE.—An eligible enti13 ty may not use grant funds for— 

14 (i) incidental costs related to land ac15 quisition, including appraisal and titling; 

16 (ii) operation and maintenance activi17 ties; 

18 (iii) facilities that support 

19 semiprofessional or professional athletics; 

20 (iv) indoor facilities, such as recreation 

21 centers or facilities that support primarily 

22 nonoutdoor purposes; or 

23 (v) acquisition of land or interests in 

24 land that restrict public access. 


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1 (C) CONVERSION TO OTHER THAN PUBLIC

2 OUTDOOR RECREATION USE.— 

3 (i) IN GENERAL.—No property ac4 quired or developed with assistance under 

5 this section shall, without the approval of 

6 the Secretary, be converted to other than 

7 public outdoor recreation use. 

8 (ii) CONDITION FOR APPROVAL.—The 

9 Secretary shall approve a conversion only if 

10 the Secretary finds it to be in accordance 

11 with the then-existing comprehensive State12 wide outdoor recreation plan and only on 

13 such conditions as the Secretary considers 

14 necessary to ensure the substitution of other 

15 recreation properties of at least equal fair 

16 market value and of reasonably equivalent 

17 usefulness and location. 

18 (iii) WETLAND AREAS AND INTERESTS

19 THEREIN.—Wetland areas and interests 

20 therein as identified in the wetlands provi21 sions of the comprehensive plan and pro22 posed to be acquired as suitable replacement 

23 property within the same State that is oth24 erwise acceptable to the Secretary, acting 

25 through the Director of the National Park 


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1 Service, shall be deemed to be of reasonably 

2 equivalent usefulness with the property pro3 posed for conversion. 

4 (c) REVIEW AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS.—In 

5 carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership 

6 Program, the Secretary shall— 

7 (1) conduct an initial screening and technical 

8 review of applications received; 

9 (2) evaluate and score all qualifying applica10 tions; and 

11 (3) provide culturally and linguistically appro12 priate information to eligible entities (including low13 income communities and eligible entities serving low14 income communities) on— 

15 (A) the opportunity to apply for grants 

16 under this section; 

17 (B) the application procedures by which eli18 gible entities may apply for grants under this 

19 section; and 

20 (C) eligible uses for grants under this sec21 tion. 

22 (d) REPORTING.— 

23 (1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 30 days 

24 after the last day of each report period, each State25 lead agency that receives a grant under this section 


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1 shall annually submit to the Secretary performance 

2 and financial reports that— 

3 (A) summarize project activities conducted 

4 during the report period; and 

5 (B) provide the status of the project. 

6 (2) FINAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days 

7 after the earlier of the date of expiration of a project 

8 period or the completion of a project, each State-lead 

9 agency that receives a grant under this section shall 

10 submit to the Secretary a final report containing such 

11 information as the Secretary may require. 

12 SEC. 157. AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION PROGRAM 

13 ENHANCEMENT. 

14 (a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 308101 of title 54, United 

15 States Code, is amended to read as follows: 

16 ‘‘§ 308101. Definitions 

17 ‘‘In this chapter: 

18 ‘‘(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 

19 the Secretary, acting through the American Battle20 field Protection Program. 

21 ‘‘(2) BATTLEFIELD REPORTS.—The term ‘Battle22 field Reports’ means, collectively— 

23 ‘‘(A) the document entitled ‘Report on the 

24 Nation’s Civil War Battlefields’, prepared by the 


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1 Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, and 

2 dated July 1993; and 

3 ‘‘(B) the document entitled ‘Report to Con4 gress on the Historic Preservation of Revolu5 tionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the 

6 United States’, prepared by the National Park 

7 Service, and dated September 2007.’’. 

8 (b) PRESERVATION ASSISTANCE.—Section 308102(a) 

9 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking 

10 ‘‘Federal’’ and all that follows through ‘‘organizations’’ and 

11 inserting ‘‘Federal agencies, States, Tribes, local govern12 ments, other public entities, educational institutions, and 

13 nonprofit organizations’’. 

14 (c) BATTLEFIELD LAND ACQUISITION GRANTS IM15 PROVEMENTS.—Section 308103 of title 54, United States 

16 Code, is amended— 

17 (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol18 lows: 

19 ‘‘(a) ELIGIBLE SITE DEFINED.—In this section, the 

20 term ‘eligible site’— 

21 ‘‘(1) means a site that— 

22 ‘‘(A) is not within the exterior boundaries of 

23 a unit of the National Park System; and 

24 ‘‘(B) is identified in the Battlefield Reports 

25 as a battlefield; and 


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1 ‘‘(2) excludes sites identified in the Battlefield 

2 Reports as associated historic sites.’’; 

3 (2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘State and 

4 local governments’’ and inserting ‘‘States, Tribes, 

5 local governments, and nonprofit organizations’’; 

6 (3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘State or local 

7 government’’ and inserting ‘‘State, Tribe, or local gov8 ernment’’; and 

9 (4) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘under this sec10 tion’’ and inserting ‘‘under this section, including by 

11 States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofit orga12 nizations,’’. 

13 (d) BATTLEFIELD RESTORATION GRANTS IMPROVE14 MENTS.—Section 308105 of title 54, United States Code, 

15 is amended— 

16 (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol17 lows: 

18 ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 

19 a battlefield restoration grant program (referred to in this 

20 section as the ‘program’) under which the Secretary may 

21 provide grants to States, Tribes, local governments, and 

22 nonprofit organizations for projects that restore day-of-bat23 tle conditions on— 


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1 ‘‘(1) land preserved and protected under the bat2 tlefield acquisition grant program established under 

3 section 308103(b); or 

4 ‘‘(2) battlefield land that is— 

5 ‘‘(A) owned by a State, Tribe, local govern6 ment, or nonprofit organization; and 

7 ‘‘(B) referred to in the Battlefield Reports.’’; 

8 and 

9 (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 

10 following: 

11 ‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE SITES.—The Secretary may make 

12 grants under this section for Revolutionary War, War of 

13 1812, and Civil War battlefield sites— 

14 ‘‘(1) eligible for assistance under the battlefield 

15 acquisition grant program established under section 

16 308103(b); or 

17 ‘‘(2) on battlefield land that is— 

18 ‘‘(A) owned by a State, Tribe, local govern19 ment, or nonprofit organization; and 

20 ‘‘(B) referred to in battlefield reports.’’. 

21 (e) UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS.—Chapter 3081 of 

22 title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 

23 end the following: 


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1 ‘‘§ 308106. Updates and improvements to Battlefield 

2 Reports 

3 ‘‘Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 

4 of this section, and every 10 years thereafter, the Secretary 

5 shall submit to Congress a report that updates the Battle6 field Reports to reflect— 

7 ‘‘(1) preservation activities carried out at the 

8 battlefields in the period since the publication of the 

9 most recent Battlefield Reports update; 

10 ‘‘(2) changes in the condition, including core and 

11 study areas, of the battlefields during that period; and 

12 ‘‘(3) any other relevant developments relating to 

13 the battlefields during that period.’’. 

14 (f) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for 

15 chapter 3081 of title 54, United States Code, is amended 

16 as follows: 

17 (1) By amending the item relating to section 

18 308101 to read as follows: ‘‘308101. Definitions.’’. 

19 (2) By adding at the end the following: ‘‘308106. 

20 Updates and improvements to Battlefield Reports.’’. 

21 TITLE II—ACCESS AMERICA 

22 SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 

23 In this title: 

24 (1) ACCESSIBLE TRAIL.—The term ‘‘accessible 

25 trail’’ means a trail that meets the requirements for 


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1 a trail under the Architectural Barriers Act accessi2 bility guidelines. 

3 (2) ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS ACT ACCESSI4 BILITY GUIDELINES.—The term ‘‘Architectural Bar5 riers Act accessibility guidelines’’ means the accessi6 bility guidelines set forth in appendices C and D to 

7 part 1191 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or 

8 successor regulations). 

9 (3) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘assist10 ive technology’’ means any item, piece of equipment, 

11 or product system, whether acquired commercially, 

12 modified, or customized, that is used to increase, 

13 maintain, or improve functional capabilities of indi14 viduals with disabilities, particularly with partici15 pating in outdoor recreation activities. 

16 (4) GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMBER.—The term 

17 ‘‘Gold Star Family member’’ means an individual de18 scribed in section 3.3 of Department of Defense In19 struction 1348.36. 

20 (5) OUTDOOR CONSTRUCTED FEATURE.—The 

21 term ‘‘outdoor constructed feature’’ has the meaning 

22 given such term in appendix C to part 1191 of title 

23 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regula24 tions). 


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1 (6) VETERANS ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘vet2 erans organization’’ means a service provider with 

3 outdoor recreation experience that serves members of 

4 the Armed Forces, veterans, or Gold Star Family 

5 members. 

6 Subtitle A—Access for People With 

7 Disabilities 

8 SEC. 211. ACCESSIBLE RECREATION INVENTORY. 

9 (a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 5 years after the 

10 date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned 

11 shall— 

12 (1) carry out a comprehensive assessment of out13 door recreation facilities on Federal recreational 

14 lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the respec15 tive Secretary concerned to determine the accessibility 

16 of such outdoor recreation facilities, consistent with 

17 the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 

18 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation 

19 Act (29 U.S.C. 794), including— 

20 (A) camp shelters, camping facilities, and 

21 camping units; 

22 (B) boat launch ramps; 

23 (C) hunting, fishing, shooting, or archery 

24 ranges or locations; 

25 (D) outdoor constructed features; 


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1 (E) picnic facilities and picnic units; and 

2 (F) any other outdoor recreation facilities, 

3 as determined by the Secretary concerned; and 

4 (2) make information about such opportunities 

5 available (including through the use of prominently 

6 displayed links) on public websites of— 

7 (A) each of the Federal land management 

8 agencies; and 

9 (B) each relevant unit and subunit of the 

10 Federal land management agencies. 

11 (b) INCLUSION OF CURRENT ASSESSMENTS.—As part 

12 of the comprehensive assessment required under subsection 

13 (a)(1), to the extent practicable, the Secretary concerned 

14 may rely on assessments completed or data gathered prior 

15 to the date of the enactment of this title. 

16 (c) PUBLIC INFORMATION.—Not later than 7 years 

17 after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

18 concerned shall identify opportunities to create, update, or 

19 replace signage and other publicly available information, 

20 including web page information, related to accessibility and 

21 consistent with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 

22 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation 

23 Act (29 U.S.C. 794) at outdoor recreation facilities covered 

24 by the assessment required under subsection (a)(1). 


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1 SEC. 212. TRAIL INVENTORY. 

2 (a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 7 years after the 

3 date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned 

4 shall— 

5 (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of high6 priority trails, in accordance with subsection (b), on 

7 Federal recreational lands and waters under the ju8 risdiction of the respective Secretary concerned, in9 cluding measuring each trail’s— 

10 (A) average and minimum tread width; 

11 (B) average and maximum running slope; 

12 (C) average and maximum cross slope; 

13 (D) tread type; and 

14 (E) length; and 

15 (2) make information about such high-priority 

16 trails available (including through the use of promi17 nently displayed links) on public websites of— 

18 (A) each of the Federal land management 

19 agencies; and 

20 (B) each relevant unit and subunit of the 

21 Federal land management agencies. 

22 (b) SELECTION.—The Secretary concerned shall select 

23 high-priority trails to be assessed under subsection (a)(1)— 

24 (1) in consultation with stakeholders, including 

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1 tise or experience providing outdoor recreation oppor2 tunities to individuals with disabilities; 

3 (2) in a geographically equitable manner; and 

4 (3) in no fewer than 15 units or subunits man5 aged by the Secretary concerned. 

6 (c) INCLUSION OF CURRENT ASSESSMENTS.—As part 

7 of the assessment required under subsection (a)(1), the Sec8 retary concerned may, to the extent practicable, rely on as9 sessments completed or data gathered prior to the date of 

10 the enactment of this title. 

11 (d) PUBLIC INFORMATION.— 

12 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 7 years after 

13 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

14 concerned shall identify opportunities to replace sign15 age and other publicly available information, includ16 ing web page information, related to such high-pri17 ority trails and consistent with the Architectural Bar18 riers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 

19 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794) at 

20 high-priority trails covered by the assessment required 

21 under subsection (a)(1). 

22 (2) TREAD OBSTACLES.—As part of the assess23 ment required under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary 

24 may, to the extent practicable, include photographs or 

25 descriptions of tread obstacles and barriers. 


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1 (e) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICATION.—In pub2 lishing information about each trail under this subsection, 

3 the Secretary concerned shall make public information 

4 about trails that do not meet the Architectural Barriers Act 

5 accessibility guidelines but could otherwise provide outdoor 

6 recreation opportunities to individuals with disabilities 

7 through the use of certain assistive technology. 

8 SEC. 213. TRAIL PILOT PROGRAM. 

9 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 

10 date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned 

11 shall carry out a pilot program to enter into partnerships 

12 with eligible entities to— 

13 (1) measure high-priority trails as part of the 

14 assessment required under section 212; 

15 (2) develop accessible trails under section 214; 

16 and 

17 (3) make minor modifications to existing trails 

18 to enhance recreational experiences for individuals 

19 with disabilities using assistive technology— 

20 (A) in compliance with all applicable land 

21 use and management plans of the Federal rec22 reational lands and waters on which the acces23 sible trail is located; and 

24 (B) in consultation with stakeholders, in25 cluding veterans organizations and organizations 


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1 with expertise or experience providing outdoor 

2 recreation opportunities to individuals with dis3 abilities. 

4 (b) LOCATIONS.— 

5 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall 

6 select no fewer than 5 units or subunits under the ju7 risdiction of the respective Secretary concerned to 

8 carry out the pilot program established under sub9 section (a). 

10 (2) SPECIAL RULE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE

11 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—In selecting the lo12 cations of the pilot program, the Secretary shall en13 sure that the pilot program is carried out in at least 

14 one unit managed by the— 

15 (A) National Park Service; 

16 (B) Bureau of Land Management; and 

17 (C) United States Fish and Wildlife Serv18 ice. 

19 (c) SUNSET.—The pilot program established under this 

20 subsection shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after 

21 the date of the enactment of this title. 

22 SEC. 214. ACCESSIBLE TRAILS. 

23 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

24 of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned shall 


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1 select a location or locations to develop at least 3 new acces2 sible trails— 

3 (1) on National Forest System lands in each re4 gion of the Forest Service; 

5 (2) on land managed by the National Park Serv6 ice in each region of the National Park Service; 

7 (3) on land managed by the Bureau of Land 

8 Management in each region of the Bureau of Land 

9 Management; and 

10 (4) on land managed by the United States Fish 

11 and Wildlife Service in each region of the United 

12 States Fish and Wildlife Service. 

13 (b) DEVELOPMENT.—In developing an accessible trail 

14 under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned— 

15 (1) may— 

16 (A) create a new accessible trail; 

17 (B) modify an existing trail into an acces18 sible trail; or 

19 (C) create an accessible trail from a com20 bination of new and existing trails; and 

21 (2) shall— 

22 (A) consult with stakeholders with respect to 

23 the feasibility and resources necessary for com24 pleting the accessible trail; 


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1 (B) ensure the accessible trail complies with 

2 the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 

3 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the Reha4 bilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794); and 

5 (C) to the extent practicable, ensure that 

6 outdoor constructed features supporting the ac7 cessible trail, including trail bridges, parking 

8 spaces, and restroom facilities, meet the require9 ments of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 

10 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the 

11 Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794). 

12 (c) COMPLETION.—Not later than 7 years after the 

13 date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned, 

14 in coordination with stakeholders described under sub15 section (b)(2), shall complete each accessible trail developed 

16 under subsection (a). 

17 (d) MAPS, SIGNAGE, AND PROMOTIONAL MATE18 RIALS.—For each accessible trail developed under sub19 section (a), the Secretary concerned shall— 

20 (1) publish and distribute maps and install sign21 age, consistent with Architectural Barriers Act of 

22 1968 accessibility guidelines and section 508 of the 

23 Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); and 

24 (2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any 

25 non-Federal resources necessary for the development, 


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1 stewardship, completion, or promotion of the acces2 sible trail. 

3 (e) CONFLICT AVOIDANCE WITH OTHER USES.—In de4 veloping each accessible trail under subsection (a), the Sec5 retary concerned shall ensure that the accessible trail— 

6 (1) minimizes conflict with— 

7 (A) the uses in effect before the date of the 

8 enactment of this title with respect to any trail 

9 that is part of that accessible trail; 

10 (B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, 

11 horseback riding, off-highway vehicle recreation, 

12 or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses 

13 on the date of the enactment of this title; or 

14 (C) the purposes for which any trail is es15 tablished under the National Trails System Act 

16 (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.); and 

17 (2) complies with all applicable land use and 

18 management plans of the Federal recreational lands 

19 and waters on which the accessible trail is located. 

20 (f) REPORTS.— 

21 (1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 3 years 

22 after the date of the enactment of this title, the Sec23 retary concerned, in coordination with stakeholders 

24 and other interested organizations, shall prepare and 

25 publish an interim report that lists the accessible 


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1 trails developed under this section during the previous 

2 3 years. 

3 (2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 7 years after 

4 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

5 concerned, in coordination with stakeholders and 

6 other interested organizations, shall prepare and pub7 lish a final report that lists the accessible trails devel8 oped under this section. 

9 SEC. 215. ACCESSIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

11 of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned shall 

12 select a location to develop at least 2 new accessible recre13 ation opportunities— 

14 (1) on National Forest System lands in each re15 gion of the Forest Service; 

16 (2) on land managed by the National Park Serv17 ice in each region of the National Park Service; 

18 (3) on land managed by the Bureau of Land 

19 Management in each region of the Bureau of Land 

20 Management; and 

21 (4) on land managed by the United States Fish 

22 and Wildlife Service in each region of the United 

23 States Fish and Wildlife Service. 


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1 (b) DEVELOPMENT.—In developing an accessible recre2 ation opportunity under subsection (a), the Secretary con3 cerned— 

4 (1) may— 

5 (A) create a new accessible recreation op6 portunity; or 

7 (B) modify an existing recreation oppor8 tunity into an accessible recreation opportunity; 

9 and 

10 (2) shall— 

11 (A) consult with stakeholders with respect to 

12 the feasibility and resources necessary for com13 pleting the accessible recreation opportunity; 

14 (B) ensure the accessible recreation oppor15 tunity complies with the Architectural Barriers 

16 Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 

17 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794); 

18 and 

19 (C) to the extent practicable, ensure that 

20 outdoor constructed features supporting the ac21 cessible recreation opportunity, including trail 

22 bridges, parking spaces and restroom facilities, 

23 meet the requirements of the Architectural Bar24 riers Act of 1968 and section 504 of the Rehabili25 tation Act (29 U.S.C. 794). 


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1 (c) ACCESSIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.—The 

2 accessible recreation opportunities developed under sub3 section (a) may include improving accessibility or access 

4 to— 

5 (1) camp shelters, camping facilities, and camp6 ing units; 

7 (2) hunting, fishing, shooting, or archery ranges 

8 or locations; 

9 (3) snow activities, including skiing and 

10 snowboarding; 

11 (4) water activities, including kayaking, pad12 dling, canoeing, and boat launch ramps; 

13 (5) rock climbing; 

14 (6) biking; 

15 (7) off-highway vehicle recreation; 

16 (8) picnic facilities and picnic units; 

17 (9) outdoor constructed features; and 

18 (10) any other new or existing recreation oppor19 tunities identified in consultation with stakeholders 

20 under subsection (b)(2) and consistent with the appli21 cable land management plan. 

22 (d) COMPLETION.—Not later than 7 years after the 

23 date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned, 

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1 section (b)(2), shall complete each accessible recreation op2 portunity developed under subsection (a). 

3 (e) MAPS, SIGNAGE, AND PROMOTIONAL MATE4 RIALS.—For each accessible recreation opportunity devel5 oped under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall— 

6 (1) publish and distribute maps and install sign7 age, consistent with Architectural Barriers Act acces8 sibility guidelines and section 508 of the Rehabilita9 tion Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); and 

10 (2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any 

11 non-Federal resources necessary for the development, 

12 stewardship, completion, or promotion of the acces13 sible trail. 

14 (f) CONFLICT AVOIDANCE WITH OTHER USES.—In de15 veloping each accessible recreation opportunity under sub16 section (a), the Secretary concerned shall ensure that the 

17 accessible recreation opportunity— 

18 (1) minimizes conflict with— 

19 (A) the uses in effect before the date of the 

20 enactment of this title with respect to any Fed21 eral recreational lands and waters on which the 

22 accessible recreation opportunity is located; or 

23 (B) multiple-use areas in existence on the 

24 date of the enactment of this title; and 


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1 (2) complies with all applicable land use and 

2 management plans of the Federal recreational lands 

3 and waters on which the accessible recreational op4 portunity is located. 

5 (g) REPORTS.— 

6 (1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 3 years 

7 after the date of the enactment of this title, the Sec8 retary concerned, in coordination with stakeholders 

9 and other interested organizations, shall prepare and 

10 publish an interim report that lists the accessible 

11 recreation opportunities developed under this section 

12 during the previous 3 years. 

13 (2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 7 years after 

14 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 

15 concerned, in coordination with stakeholders and 

16 other interested organizations, shall prepare and pub17 lish a final report that lists the accessible recreation 

18 opportunities developed under this section. 

19 SEC. 216. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. 

20 In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary concerned 

21 may enter into partnerships, contracts, or agreements with 

22 other Federal, State, Tribal, local, or private entities, in23 cluding existing outfitting and guiding services, to make 

24 assistive technology available on Federal recreational lands 

25 and waters. 


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1 SEC. 217. SAVINGS CLAUSE. 

2 Nothing in the subtitle shall be construed to create any 

3 conflicting standards with the Architectural Barriers Act 

4 of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the Re5 habilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794). 

6 Subtitle B—Military and Veterans 

7 in Parks 

8 SEC. 221. PROMOTION OF OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR 

9 MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS. 

10 Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 

11 of this title, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with 

12 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of De13 fense, shall develop educational and public awareness mate14 rials to disseminate to members of the Armed Forces and 

15 veterans, including through preseparation counseling of the 

16 Transition Assistance Program under chapter 1142 of title 

17 10, United States Code, on— 

18 (1) opportunities for members of the Armed 

19 Forces and veterans to access Federal recreational 

20 lands and waters free of charge under section 805 of 

21 the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 

22 U.S.C. 6804); 

23 (2) the availability and location of accessible 

24 trails, including new accessible trails developed and 

25 completed under section 214; 


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1 (3) the availability and location of accessible 

2 recreation opportunities, including new accessible 

3 recreation opportunities developed and completed 

4 under section 215; 

5 (4) access to, and assistance with, assistive tech6 nology; 

7 (5) outdoor-related volunteer and wellness pro8 grams; 

9 (6) the benefits of outdoor recreation for physical 

10 and mental health; 

11 (7) resources to access guided outdoor trips and 

12 other outdoor programs connected to the Department 

13 of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 

14 Department of the Interior, or the Department of Ag15 riculture; and 

16 (8) programs and jobs focused on continuing na17 tional service such as Public Land Corps, 

18 AmeriCorps, and conservation corps programs. 

19 SEC. 222. MILITARY VETERANS OUTDOOR RECREATION LI20 AISONS. 

21 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

22 of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries and the Sec23 retary of Veterans Affairs shall each establish within their 

24 Departments the position of Military Veterans Outdoor 

25 Recreation Liaison. 


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1 (b) DUTIES.—The Military Veterans Outdoor Recre2 ation Liaison shall— 

3 (1) coordinate the implementation of this sub4 title; 

5 (2) implement recommendations identified by the 

6 Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans estab7 lished under section 203 of the Veterans Comprehen8 sive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 

9 2020 (Public Law 116–214), including recommenda10 tions related to— 

11 (A) identifying new opportunities to for12 malize coordination between the Department of 

13 Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, De14 partment of the Interior, and partner organiza15 tions regarding the use of Federal recreational 

16 lands and waters for facilitating health and 

17 wellness for veterans; 

18 (B) addressing identified barriers that exist 

19 to providing veterans with opportunities to aug20 ment the delivery of services for health and 

21 wellness through the use of outdoor recreation on 

22 Federal recreational lands and waters; and 

23 (C) facilitating the use of Federal rec24 reational lands and waters for promoting 


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1 wellness and facilitating the delivery of health 

2 care and therapeutic interventions for veterans; 

3 (3) coordinate with Military Veterans Outdoor 

4 Recreation Liaisons at other Federal agencies and 

5 veterans organizations; and 

6 (4) promote outdoor recreation experiences for 

7 veterans on Federal recreational lands and waters 

8 through new and innovative approaches. 

9 SEC. 223. PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE MILITARY AND VET10 ERAN RECREATION. 

11 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall seek 

12 to enter into partnerships or agreements with State, Tribal, 

13 local, or private entities with expertise in outdoor recre14 ation, volunteer, accessibility, and health and wellness pro15 grams for members of the Armed Forces or veterans. 

16 (b) PARTNERSHIPS.—As part of a partnership or 

17 agreement entered into under subsection (a), the Secretary 

18 concerned may host events on Federal recreational lands 

19 and waters designed to promote outdoor recreation among 

20 members of the Armed Forces and veterans. 

21 (c) FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Under 

22 a partnership or agreement entered into pursuant to sub23 section (a), the Secretary concerned may provide financial 

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1 tive Secretary concerned has entered into the partnership 

2 or agreement to assist with— 

3 (1) the planning, development, and execution of 

4 events, activities, or programs designed to promote 

5 outdoor recreation for members of the Armed Forces 

6 or veterans; or 

7 (2) the acquisition of assistive technology to fa8 cilitate improved outdoor recreation opportunities for 

9 members of the Armed Forces or veterans. 

10 SEC. 224. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MILITARY AND VET11 ERAN RECREATION. 

12 (a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

13 of the enactment of this title, the Federal Interagency Coun14 cil on Outdoor Recreation established under section 113 

15 shall develop and make public a strategy to increase visits 

16 to Federal recreational lands and waters by members of the 

17 Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family members. 

18 (b) REQUIREMENTS.—A strategy developed under sub19 section (a)— 

20 (1) shall— 

21 (A) establish objectives and quantifiable tar22 gets for increasing visits to Federal recreational 

23 lands and waters by members of the Armed 

24 Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family mem25 bers; 


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1 (B) include an opportunity for public no2 tice and comment; 

3 (C) emphasize increased recreation opportu4 nities on Federal recreational lands and waters 

5 for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and 

6 Gold Star Family members; and 

7 (D) provide the anticipated costs to achieve 

8 the objectives and meet the targets established 

9 under subparagraph (A); and 

10 (2) shall not establish any preference between 

11 similar recreation facilitated by noncommercial or 

12 commercial entities. 

13 (c) UPDATE TO STRATEGY.—Not later than 5 years 

14 after the date of the publication of the strategy required 

15 under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the Fed16 eral Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation shall up17 date the strategy and make public the update. 

18 SEC. 225. RECREATION RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 

19 Section 804(d) of the Federal Lands Recreation En20 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6803(d)), is amended— 

21 (1) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ‘‘11’’ and 

22 inserting ‘‘12’’; and 

23 (2) in paragraph (5)(D)(ii)— 

24 (A) by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 

25 ‘‘Four’’; and 


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1 (B) after subclause (III), by inserting the 

2 following: 

3 ‘‘(IV) Veterans organizations, as 

4 such term is defined in section 201of 

5 the EXPLORE Act.’’; and 

6 (3) in paragraph (8) by striking ‘‘Eight’’ and 

7 inserting ‘‘Six’’. 

8 SEC. 226. CAREER AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR 

9 VETERANS. 

10 (a) VETERAN HIRING.—The Secretaries are strongly 

11 encouraged to hire veterans in all positions related to the 

12 management of Federal recreational lands and waters. 

13 (b) PILOT PROGRAM.— 

14 (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in con15 sultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 

16 Veterans’ Employment and Training and the Sec17 retary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a pilot pro18 gram under which veterans are employed by the Fed19 eral Government in positions that relate to the con20 servation and resource management activities of the 

21 Department of the Interior. 

22 (2) POSITIONS.—The Secretary shall— 

23 (A) identify vacant positions in the Depart24 ment of the Interior that are appropriate to fill 

25 using the pilot program; and 


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1 (B) to the extent practicable, fill such posi2 tions using the pilot program. 

3 (3) APPLICATION OF CIVIL SERVICE LAWS.—A 

4 veteran employed under the pilot program shall be 

5 treated as an employee as defined by section 2105 of 

6 title 5, United States Code. 

7 (4) BRIEFINGS AND REPORT.— 

8 (A) INITIAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 

9 days after the date of the enactment of this title, 

10 the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of 

11 Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training 

12 shall jointly provide to the appropriate congres13 sional committees a briefing on the pilot pro14 gram under this subsection, which shall in15 clude— 

16 (i) a description of how the pilot pro17 gram will be carried out in a manner to re18 duce the unemployment of veterans; and 

19 (ii) any recommendations for legisla20 tive actions to improve the pilot program. 

21 (B) IMPLEMENTATION BRIEFING.—Not later 

22 than 1 year after the date on which the pilot 

23 program under subsection (a) commences, the 

24 Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of Labor 

25 for Veterans’ Employment and Training shall 


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1 jointly provide to the appropriate congressional 

2 committees a briefing on the implementation of 

3 the pilot program. 

4 (C) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 30 

5 days after the date on which the pilot program 

6 under subsection (a) terminates under paragraph 

7 (5), the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of 

8 Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training 

9 shall jointly submit to the appropriate congres10 sional committees a report on the pilot program 

11 that includes the following: 

12 (i) The number of veterans who ap13 plied to participate in the pilot program. 

14 (ii) The number of such veterans em15 ployed under the pilot program. 

16 (iii) The number of veterans identified 

17 in clause (ii) who transitioned to full-time 

18 positions with the Federal Government after 

19 participating in the pilot program. 

20 (iv) Any other information the Sec21 retary and the Assistant Secretary of Labor 

22 for Veterans’ Employment and Training de23 termine appropriate with respect to meas24 uring the effectiveness of the pilot program. 


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1 (5) DURATION.—The authority to carry out the 

2 pilot program under this subsection shall terminate 

3 on the date that is 2 years after the date on which 

4 the pilot program commences. 

5 (c) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DE6 FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congres7 sional committees’’ means— 

8 (1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the 

9 Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep10 resentatives; and 

11 (2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the 

12 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 

13 Senate. 

14 (d) OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAM ATTENDANCE.— 

15 Each Secretary of a military department is encouraged to 

16 allow members of the Armed Forces on active duty status 

17 to participate in programs related to environmental stew18 ardship or guided outdoor recreation. 

19 Subtitle C—Youth Access 

20 SEC. 231. INCREASING YOUTH RECREATION VISITS TO FED21 ERAL LAND. 

22 (a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 2 years after the date 

23 of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries, acting jointly, 

24 shall develop and make public a strategy to increase the 


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1 number of youth recreation visits to Federal recreational 

2 lands and waters. 

3 (b) REQUIREMENTS.—A strategy developed under sub4 section (a)— 

5 (1) shall— 

6 (A) emphasize increased recreation opportu7 nities on Federal recreational lands and waters 

8 for underserved youth; 

9 (B) establish objectives and quantifiable tar10 gets for increasing youth recreation visits; and 

11 (C) provide the anticipated costs to achieve 

12 the objectives and meet the targets established 

13 under subparagraph (B); and 

14 (2) shall not establish any preference between 

15 similar recreation facilitated by noncommercial or 

16 commercial entities. 

17 (c) UPDATE TO STRATEGY.—Not later than 5 years 

18 after the date of the publication of the strategy required 

19 under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the Sec20 retaries shall update the strategy and make public the up21 date. 

22 (d) AGREEMENTS.—The Secretaries may enter into 

23 contracts or cost-share agreements (including contracts or 

24 agreements for the acquisition of vehicles) to carry out this 

25 section. 


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1 SEC. 232. EVERY KID OUTDOORS ACT EXTENSION. 

2 Section 9001(b) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conserva3 tion, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116– 

4 9) is amended— 

5 (1) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘during the 

6 period beginning on September 1 and ending on Au7 gust 31 of the following year’’ and inserting ‘‘for a 

8 12-month period that begins on a date determined by 

9 the Secretaries’’; and 

10 (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘the date that 

11 is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act’’ and 

12 inserting ‘‘September 30, 2031’’. 

13 TITLE III—SIMPLIFYING OUT14 DOOR ACCESS FOR RECRE15 ATION 

16 SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 

17 In this title: 

18 (1) COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATION.—The 

19 term ‘‘commercial use authorization’’ means a com20 mercial use authorization to provide services to visi21 tors to units of the National Park System under sub22 chapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54, United States 

23 Code. 

24 (2) MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRIP.—The term 

25 ‘‘multijurisdictional trip’’ means a trip that— 


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1 (A) uses 2 or more units of Federal rec2 reational lands and waters; and 

3 (B) is under the jurisdiction of 2 or more 

4 Federal land management agencies. 

5 (3) RECREATION SERVICE PROVIDER.—The term 

6 ‘‘recreation service provider’’ has the meaning given 

7 the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre8 ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amend9 ed by section 311). 

10 (4) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT.—The term 

11 ‘‘special recreation permit’’ has the meaning given the 

12 term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation 

13 Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by 

14 section 311). 

15 (5) VISITOR-USE DAY.—The term ‘‘visitor-use 

16 day’’ means a visitor-use day, user day, launch, or 

17 other metric used by the Secretary concerned for pur18 poses of authorizing use under a special recreation 

19 permit. 

20 Subtitle A—Modernizing Recreation 

21 Permitting 

22 SEC. 311. SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT AND FEE. 

23 (a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 802 of the Federal Lands 

24 Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) is amend25 ed— 


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1 (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 

2 striking ‘‘this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 

3 (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 3(f)’’ 

4 and inserting ‘‘section 803(f)’’; 

5 (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 3(g)’’ 

6 and inserting ‘‘section 803(g)’’; 

7 (4) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 

8 and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 

9 (5) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 

10 and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 

11 (6) in paragraph (12), by striking ‘‘section 7’’ 

12 and inserting ‘‘section 807’’; 

13 (7) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘section 3(h)’’ 

14 and inserting ‘‘section 803(h)(2)’’; 

15 (8) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (3), (4), 

16 (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (13) as para17 graphs (15), (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (11), (10), 

18 and (14), respectively, and arranging the paragraphs 

19 (as so redesignated) to appear in numerical order; 

20 (9) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redes21 ignated) the following: 

22 ‘‘(9) RECREATION SERVICE PROVIDER.—The 

23 term ‘recreation service provider’ means a person that 

24 provides recreational services to the public under a 


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1 special recreation permit under clause (iii) or (iv) of 

2 paragraph (13)(A).’’; 

3 (10) by inserting after paragraph (12) the fol4 lowing: 

5 ‘‘(13) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT.— 

6 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘special recre7 ation permit’ means a permit issued by a Fed8 eral land management agency for the use of Fed9 eral recreational lands and waters— 

10 ‘‘(i) for a specialized recreational use 

11 not described in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), 

12 such as— 

13 ‘‘(I) an organizational camp; 

14 ‘‘(II) a single event that does not 

15 require an entry or participation fee 

16 that is not strictly a sharing of ex17 penses for the purposes of the event; 

18 and 

19 ‘‘(III) participation by the public 

20 in a recreation activity or recreation 

21 use of a specific area of Federal rec22 reational lands and waters in which 

23 use by the public is allocated; 

24 ‘‘(ii) for a large-group activity or event 

25 of 75 participants or more; 


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1 ‘‘(iii) for— 

2 ‘‘(I) at the discretion of the Sec3 retary, a single organized group recre4 ation activity or event (including an 

5 activity or event in which motorized 

6 recreational vehicles are used or in 

7 which outfitting and guiding services 

8 are used) that— 

9 ‘‘(aa) is a structured or 

10 scheduled event or activity; 

11 ‘‘(bb) is not competitive and 

12 is for fewer than 75 participants; 

13 ‘‘(cc) may charge an entry or 

14 participation fee; 

15 ‘‘(dd) involves fewer than 200 

16 visitor-use days; and 

17 ‘‘(ee) is undertaken or pro18 vided by the recreation service 

19 provider at the same site not more 

20 frequently than 3 times a year; 

21 ‘‘(II) a single competitive event; 

22 or 

23 ‘‘(III) at the discretion of the Sec24 retary, a recurring organized group 


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1 recreation activity (including an out2 fitting and guiding activity) that— 

3 ‘‘(aa) is a structured or 

4 scheduled activity; 

5 ‘‘(bb) is not competitive; 

6 ‘‘(cc) may charge a partici7 pation fee; 

8 ‘‘(dd) occurs in a group size 

9 of fewer than 7 participants; 

10 ‘‘(ee) involves fewer than 40 

11 visitor-use days; and 

12 ‘‘(ff) is undertaken or pro13 vided by the recreation service 

14 provider for a term of not more 

15 than 180 days; or 

16 ‘‘(iv) for— 

17 ‘‘(I) a recurring outfitting, guid18 ing, or, at the discretion of the Sec19 retary, other recreation service, the au20 thorization for which is for a term of 

21 not more than 10 years; or 

22 ‘‘(II) a recurring outfitting, guid23 ing, or, at the discretion of the Sec24 retary, other recreation service, that oc25 curs under a temporary special recreVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00149 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 ation permit authorized under section 

2 316 of the EXPLORE Act. 

3 ‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘special recre4 ation permit’ does not include— 

5 ‘‘(i) a concession contract for the provi6 sion of accommodations, facilities, or serv7 ices; 

8 ‘‘(ii) a commercial use authorization 

9 issued under section 101925 of title 54, 

10 United States Code; or 

11 ‘‘(iii) any other type of permit, includ12 ing a special use permit administered by 

13 the National Park Service.’’; and 

14 (11) by inserting at the end the following: 

15 ‘‘(16) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of 

16 the several States, the District of Columbia, and each 

17 territory of the United States.’’. 

18 (b) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.—Sec19 tion 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 

20 (16 U.S.C. 6802) is amended— 

21 (1) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place it appears 

22 and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 

23 (2) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘section 

24 4(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 804(d)’’; and 


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1 (3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 

2 following: 

3 ‘‘(h) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.— 

4 ‘‘(1) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS.— 

5 ‘‘(A) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary— 

6 ‘‘(i) may develop and make available 

7 to the public an application to obtain a spe8 cial recreation permit described in clause 

9 (i) of section 802(13)(A); and 

10 ‘‘(ii) shall develop and make available 

11 to the public an application to obtain a spe12 cial recreation permit described in each of 

13 clauses (ii) through (iv) of section 

14 802(13)(A). 

15 ‘‘(B) ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.—On review of 

16 a completed application developed under sub17 paragraph (A), as applicable, and a determina18 tion by the Secretary that the applicant is eligi19 ble for the special recreation permit, the Sec20 retary may issue to the applicant a special 

21 recreation permit, subject to any terms and con22 ditions that are determined to be necessary by 

23 the Secretary. 

24 ‘‘(C) INCIDENTAL SALES.—A special recre25 ation permit issued under this paragraph may 


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1 include an authorization for sales that are inci2 dental in nature to the permitted use of the Fed3 eral recreational lands and waters, except where 

4 otherwise prohibited by law. 

5 ‘‘(2) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEES.— 

6 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may 

7 charge a special recreation permit fee for the 

8 issuance of a special recreation permit in ac9 cordance with this paragraph. 

10 ‘‘(B) PREDETERMINED SPECIAL RECRE11 ATION PERMIT FEES.— 

12 ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of 

13 subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this para14 graph, the Secretary shall establish and 

15 may charge a predetermined fee, described 

16 in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, for a 

17 special recreation permit described in clause 

18 (iii) or (iv) of section 802(13)(A) for a spe19 cific type of use on a unit of Federal rec20 reational lands and waters, consistent with 

21 the criteria set forth in clause (iii) of this 

22 subparagraph. 

23 ‘‘(ii) TYPE OF FEE.—A predetermined 

24 fee described in clause (i) shall be— 


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1 ‘‘(I) a fixed fee that is assessed 

2 per special recreation permit, includ3 ing a fee with an associated size limi4 tation or other criteria as determined 

5 to be appropriate by the Secretary; or 

6 ‘‘(II) an amount assessed per vis7 itor-use day. 

8 ‘‘(iii) CRITERIA.—A predetermined fee 

9 under clause (i) shall— 

10 ‘‘(I) have been established before 

11 the date of the enactment of the EX12 PLORE Act; 

13 ‘‘(II) be established after the date 

14 of the enactment of the EXPLORE Act, 

15 in accordance with subsection (b); 

16 ‘‘(III)(aa) be established after the 

17 date of the enactment of the EX18 PLORE Act; and 

19 ‘‘(bb) be comparable to an amount 

20 described in subparagraph (D)(ii) or 

21 (E)(ii), as applicable; or 

22 ‘‘(IV) beginning on the date that 

23 is 2 years after the date of the enact24 ment of the EXPLORE Act, be $6 per 

25 visitor-use day in instances in which 


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1 the Secretary has not established a pre2 determined fee under subclause (I), 

3 (II), or (III). 

4 ‘‘(C) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR SPECIAL5 IZED RECREATIONAL USES AND LARGE-GROUP

6 ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS.—The Secretary may, at 

7 the discretion of the Secretary, establish and 

8 charge a fee for a special recreation permit de9 scribed in clause (i) or (ii) of section 802(13)(A). 

10 ‘‘(D) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR SINGLE

11 ORGANIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITIES OR

12 EVENTS, COMPETITIVE EVENTS, AND CERTAIN RE13 CURRING ORGANIZED GROUP RECREATION AC14 TIVITIES.—If the Secretary elects to charge a fee 

15 for a special recreation permit described in sec16 tion 802(13)(A)(iii), the Secretary shall charge 

17 the recreation service provider, based on the elec18 tion of the recreation service provider— 

19 ‘‘(i) the applicable predetermined fee 

20 established under subparagraph (B); or 

21 ‘‘(ii) an amount equal to a percentage 

22 of, to be determined by the Secretary, but to 

23 not to exceed 5 percent of, adjusted gross re24 ceipts calculated under subparagraph (F). 


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1 ‘‘(E) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR TEM2 PORARY PERMITS AND LONG-TERM PERMITS.— 

3 Subject to subparagraph (G), if the Secretary 

4 elects to charge a fee for a special recreation per5 mit described in section 802(13)(A)(iv), the Sec6 retary shall charge the recreation service pro7 vider, based on the election of the recreation serv8 ice provider— 

9 ‘‘(i) the applicable predetermined fee 

10 established under subparagraph (B); or 

11 ‘‘(ii) an amount equal to a percentage 

12 of, to be determined by the Secretary, but 

13 not to exceed 3 percent of, adjusted gross re14 ceipts calculated under subparagraph (F). 

15 ‘‘(F) ADJUSTED GROSS RECEIPTS.—For the 

16 purposes of subparagraphs (D)(ii) and (E)(ii), 

17 the Secretary shall calculate the adjusted gross 

18 receipts collected for each trip or event author19 ized under a special recreation permit, using ei20 ther of the following calculations, based on the 

21 election of the recreation service provider: 

22 ‘‘(i) The sum of— 

23 ‘‘(I) the product obtained by mul24 tiplying— 


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1 ‘‘(aa) the general amount 

2 paid by participants of the trip or 

3 event to the recreation service pro4 vider for the applicable trip or 

5 event (excluding amounts related 

6 to goods, souvenirs, merchandise, 

7 gear, and additional food pro8 vided or sold by the recreation 

9 service provider); and 

10 ‘‘(bb) the quotient obtained 

11 by dividing— 

12 ‘‘(AA) the number of 

13 days of the trip or event that 

14 occurred on Federal rec15 reational lands and waters 

16 covered by the special recre17 ation permit, rounded to the 

18 nearest whole day; by 

19 ‘‘(BB) the total number 

20 of days of the trip or event; 

21 and 

22 ‘‘(II) the amount of any addi23 tional revenue received by the recre24 ation service provider for an add-on 

25 activity or an optional excursion that 


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1 occurred on the Federal recreational 

2 lands and waters covered by the special 

3 recreation permit. 

4 ‘‘(ii) The difference between— 

5 ‘‘(I) the total cost paid by the 

6 participants of the trip or event for the 

7 trip or event to the recreation service 

8 provider, including any additional rev9 enue received by the recreation service 

10 provider for an add-on activity or an 

11 optional excursion that occurred on the 

12 Federal recreational lands and waters 

13 covered by the special recreation per14 mit; and 

15 ‘‘(II) the sum of— 

16 ‘‘(aa) the amount of any rev17 enues from goods, souvenirs, mer18 chandise, gear, and additional 

19 food provided or sold by the recre20 ation service provider to the par21 ticipants of the applicable trip or 

22 event; 

23 ‘‘(bb) the amount of any costs 

24 or revenues from services and ac25 tivities provided or sold by the 


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1 recreation service provider to the 

2 participants of the trip or event 

3 that occurred in a location other 

4 than the Federal recreational 

5 lands and waters covered by the 

6 special recreation permit (includ7 ing costs for travel and lodging 

8 outside the Federal recreational 

9 lands and waters covered by the 

10 special recreation permit); and 

11 ‘‘(cc) the amount of any reve12 nues from any service provided by 

13 a recreation service provider for 

14 an activity on Federal rec15 reational lands and waters that is 

16 not covered by the special recre17 ation permit. 

18 ‘‘(G) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding sub19 paragraph (E), the Secretary may charge a 

20 recreation service provider a minimum annual 

21 fee for a special recreation permit described in 

22 section 802(13)(A)(iv). 

23 ‘‘(H) SAVINGS CLAUSES.— 

24 ‘‘(i) EFFECT.—Nothing in this para25 graph affects any fee for— 


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1 ‘‘(I) a concession contract admin2 istered by the National Park Service or 

3 the United States Fish and Wildlife 

4 Service for the provision of accom5 modations, facilities, or services; or 

6 ‘‘(II) a commercial use authoriza7 tion or special use permit for use of 

8 Federal recreational lands and waters 

9 managed by the National Park Service. 

10 ‘‘(ii) COST RECOVERY.—Nothing in 

11 this paragraph affects the ability of the Sec12 retary to recover any administrative costs 

13 under section 320 of the EXPLORE Act. 

14 ‘‘(iii) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT

15 FEES AND OTHER RECREATION FEES.—The 

16 collection of a special recreation permit fee 

17 under this paragraph shall not affect the 

18 authority of the Secretary to collect an en19 trance fee, a standard amenity recreation 

20 fee, or an expanded amenity recreation fee 

21 authorized under subsections (e), (f), and 

22 (g). 

23 ‘‘(i) DISCLOSURE OF RECREATION FEES AND USE OF

24 RECREATION FEES.— 


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1 ‘‘(1) NOTICE OF ENTRANCE FEES, STANDARD

2 AMENITY RECREATION FEES, EXPANDED AMENITY

3 RECREATION FEES, AND AVAILABLE RECREATION

4 PASSES.— 

5 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 

6 post clear notice of any entrance fee, standard 

7 amenity recreation fee, expanded amenity recre8 ation fee, and available recreation passes— 

9 ‘‘(i) at appropriate locations in each 

10 unit or area of Federal recreational land 

11 and waters at which an entrance fee, stand12 ard amenity recreation fee, or expanded 

13 amenity recreation fee is charged; and 

14 ‘‘(ii) on the appropriate website for 

15 such unit or area. 

16 ‘‘(B) PUBLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall 

17 include in publications distributed at a unit or 

18 area or described in subparagraph (A) the notice 

19 described in that subparagraph. 

20 ‘‘(2) NOTICE OF USES OF RECREATION FEES.— 

21 Beginning on January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall 

22 annually post, at the location at which a recreation 

23 fee described in paragraph (1)(A) is collected, clear 

24 notice of— 


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1 ‘‘(A) the total recreation fees collected dur2 ing each of the 2 preceding fiscal years at the re3 spective unit or area of the Federal land man4 agement agency; and 

5 ‘‘(B) each use during the preceding fiscal 

6 year of the applicable recreation fee or recreation 

7 pass revenues collected under this section. 

8 ‘‘(3) NOTICE OF RECREATION FEE PROJECTS.— 

9 To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall post 

10 clear notice at the location at which work is per11 formed using recreation fee and recreation pass reve12 nues collected under this section. 

13 ‘‘(4) CENTRALIZED REPORTING ON AGENCY

14 WEBSITES.— 

15 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 

16 1, 2025, and not later than 60 days after the be17 ginning of each fiscal year thereafter, the Sec18 retary shall post on the website of the applicable 

19 Federal land management agency a searchable 

20 list of each use during the preceding fiscal year 

21 of the recreation fee or recreation pass revenues 

22 collected under this section. 

23 ‘‘(B) LIST COMPONENTS.—The list required 

24 under subparagraph (A) shall include, with reVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00161 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 spect to each use described in that subpara2 graph— 

3 ‘‘(i) a title and description of the over4 all project; 

5 ‘‘(ii) a title and description for each 

6 component of the project; 

7 ‘‘(iii) the location of the project; and 

8 ‘‘(iv) the amount obligated for the 

9 project. 

10 ‘‘(5) NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS.—A recreation serv11 ice provider may inform a customer of the recreation 

12 service provider of any fee charged by the Secretary 

13 under this section.’’. 

14 (c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 804 of the 

15 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 

16 6803) is amended by striking subsection (e). 

17 (d) USE OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT REV18 ENUE.—Section 808 of the Federal Lands Recreation En19 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6807) is amended— 

20 (1) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place it appears 

21 and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 

22 (2) in subsection (a)(3)— 

23 (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’ 

24 at the end; 


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1 (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘6(a) 

2 or a visitor reservation service.’’ and inserting 

3 ‘‘806(a) or a visitor reservation service;’’; and 

4 (C) by adding at the end the following: 

5 ‘‘(G) the processing of special recreation 

6 permit applications and administration of spe7 cial recreation permits; and 

8 ‘‘(H) the improvement of the operation of 

9 the special recreation permit program under sec10 tion 803(h).’’; and 

11 (3) in subsection (d)— 

12 (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 

13 5(a)(7)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 805(a)(7)’’; and 

14 (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 

15 5(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 805(d)’’. 

16 (e) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 810 of the Federal 

17 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) is 

18 amended by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2031’’. 

19 SEC. 312. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. 

20 (a) IN GENERAL.—To simplify the process of the 

21 issuance and or reissuance of special recreation permits and 

22 reduce the cost of administering special recreation permits 

23 under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recreation En24 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title), 

25 the Secretaries shall each— 


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1 (1) during the period beginning on January 1, 

2 2021, and ending on January 1, 2025— 

3 (A) evaluate the process for issuing special 

4 recreation permits; and 

5 (B) based on the evaluation under subpara6 graph (A), identify opportunities to— 

7 (i) eliminate duplicative processes with 

8 respect to issuing special recreation permits; 

9 (ii) reduce costs for the issuance of spe10 cial recreation permits; 

11 (iii) decrease processing times for spe12 cial recreation permits; and 

13 (iv) issue simplified special recreation 

14 permits, including special recreation per15 mits for an organized group recreation ac16 tivity or event under subsection (e); and 

17 (2) not later than 1 year after the date on which 

18 the Secretaries complete their respective evaluation 

19 and identification processes under paragraph (1), re20 vise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations and 

21 guidance documents, including regulations and guid22 ance documents relating to the environmental review 

23 process, for special recreation permits to implement 

24 the improvements identified under paragraph (1)(B). 

25 (b) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall, 

2 to the maximum extent practicable, utilize available 

3 tools, including tiering to existing programmatic re4 views, as appropriate, to facilitate an effective and ef5 ficient environmental review process for activities un6 dertaken by the Secretary concerned relating to the 

7 issuance of special recreation permits. 

8 (2) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.—Not later than 

9 2 years after the date of the enactment of this title, 

10 the Secretary concerned shall— 

11 (A) evaluate whether existing categorical ex12 clusions available to the Secretary concerned on 

13 the date of the enactment of this title are con14 sistent with the provisions of this title; 

15 (B) evaluate whether a modification of an 

16 existing categorical exclusion or the establish17 ment of 1 or more new categorical exclusions de18 veloped in compliance with the National Envi19 ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 

20 seq.) is necessary to undertake an activity de21 scribed in paragraph (1) in a manner consistent 

22 with the authorities and requirements in this 

23 title; and 

24 (C) revise relevant agency regulations and 

25 policy statements and guidance documents, as 


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1 necessary, to modify existing categorical exclu2 sions or incorporate new categorical exclusions 

3 based on evaluations conducted under this para4 graph. 

5 (c) NEEDS ASSESSMENTS.—Except as required under 

6 subsection (c) or (d) of section 4 of the Wilderness Act (16 

7 U.S.C. 1133), the Secretary concerned shall not conduct a 

8 needs assessment as a condition of issuing a special recre9 ation permit under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands 

10 Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 

11 by this title). 

12 (d) ONLINE APPLICATIONS.—Not later than 3 years 

13 after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries 

14 shall make the application for a special recreation permit 

15 under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recreation En16 hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title), 

17 including a reissuance of a special recreation permit under 

18 that section, available for completion and submission— 

19 (1) online; 

20 (2) by mail or electronic mail; and 

21 (3) in person at the field office for the applicable 

22 Federal recreational lands and waters. 

23 (e) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS FOR AN ORGA24 NIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITY OR EVENT.— 

25 (1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 


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1 (A) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FOR AN

2 ORGANIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITY OR

3 EVENT.—The term ‘‘special recreation permit for 

4 an organized group recreation activity or event’’ 

5 means a special recreation permit described in 

6 subclause (I) or (III) of paragraph (13)(A)(iii) 

7 of section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation 

8 Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended 

9 by this title). 

10 (B) YOUTH GROUP.—The term ‘‘youth 

11 group’’ means a recreation service provider that 

12 predominantly serves individuals not older than 

13 25 years of age. 

14 (2) EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN ALLOCATIONS OF

15 USE.—If the Secretary concerned allocates visitor-use 

16 days available for an area or activity on Federal rec17 reational lands and waters among recreation service 

18 providers that hold a permit described in paragraph 

19 (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre20 ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amend21 ed by this title), a special recreation permit for an or22 ganized group recreation activity or event shall not be 

23 subject to that allocation of visitor-use days. 

24 (3) ISSUANCE.—In accordance with paragraphs 

25 (5) and (6), if use by the general public is not subject 


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1 to a limited entry permit system and if capacity is 

2 available for the times or days in which the proposed 

3 activity or event would be undertaken, on request of 

4 a recreation service provider (including a youth 

5 group) to conduct an organized group recreation ac6 tivity or event described in subclause (I) or (III) of 

7 paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of section 802 of the Federal 

8 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) 

9 (as amended by this title), the Secretary concerned— 

10 (A) shall make a nominal effects determina11 tion to determine whether the proposed activity 

12 or event would have more than nominal effects 

13 on Federal recreational lands and waters, re14 sources, and programs; and 

15 (B)(i) shall not require a recreation service 

16 provider (including a youth group) to obtain a 

17 special recreation permit for an organized group 

18 recreation activity or event if the Secretary con19 cerned determines— 

20 (I) the proposed activity or event to be 

21 undertaken would have only nominal effects 

22 on Federal recreational lands and waters, 

23 resources, and programs; and 

24 (II) establishing additional terms and 

25 conditions for the proposed activity or event 


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1 is not necessary to protect or avoid conflict 

2 on or with Federal recreational lands and 

3 waters, resources, and programs; 

4 (ii) in the case of an organized group recre5 ation activity or event described in section 

6 802(13)(A)(iii)(I) of that Act, may issue to a 

7 recreation service provider (including a youth 

8 group) a special recreation permit for an orga9 nized group recreation activity or event, subject 

10 to any terms and conditions as are determined 

11 to be appropriate by the Secretary concerned, if 

12 the Secretary concerned determines— 

13 (I) the proposed activity or event to be 

14 undertaken would have only nominal effects 

15 on Federal recreational lands and waters, 

16 resources, and programs; and 

17 (II) establishing additional terms and 

18 conditions for the proposed activity or event 

19 is necessary to protect or avoid conflict on 

20 or with Federal recreational lands and 

21 waters, resources, and programs; 

22 (iii) in the case of an organized group 

23 recreation activity or event described in section 

24 802(13)(A)(iii)(III) of that Act, shall issue to a 

25 recreation service provider (including a youth 


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1 group) a special recreation permit for an orga2 nized group recreation activity or event, subject 

3 to such terms and conditions determined to be 

4 appropriate by the Secretary concerned, if the 

5 Secretary concerned determines— 

6 (I) the proposed activity or event to be 

7 undertaken would have only nominal effects 

8 on Federal recreational lands and waters, 

9 resources, and programs; and 

10 (II) establishing additional terms and 

11 conditions for the proposed activity or event 

12 is necessary to protect or avoid conflict on 

13 or with Federal recreational lands and 

14 waters, resources, and programs; and 

15 (iv) may issue to a recreation service pro16 vider (including a youth group) a special recre17 ation permit for an organized group recreation 

18 activity or event, subject to any terms and condi19 tions determined to be appropriate by the Sec20 retary concerned, if the Secretary concerned de21 termines— 

22 (I) the proposed activity or event to be 

23 undertaken may have more than nominal 

24 effects on Federal recreational lands and 

25 waters, resources, and programs; and 


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1 (II) establishing additional terms and 

2 conditions for the proposed activity or event 

3 would be necessary to protect or avoid con4 flict on or with Federal recreational lands 

5 and waters, resources, and programs. 

6 (4) FEES.—The Secretary concerned may elect 

7 not to charge a fee to a recreation service provider 

8 (including a youth group) for a special recreation 

9 permit for an organized group recreation activity or 

10 event. 

11 (5) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub12 section prevents the Secretary concerned from lim13 iting or abating the allowance of a proposed activity 

14 or event under paragraph (3)(B)(i) or the issuance of 

15 a special recreation permit for an organized group 

16 recreation activity or event, based on resource condi17 tions, administrative burdens, or safety issues. 

18 (6) QUALIFICATIONS.—A special recreation per19 mit for an organized group recreation activity or 

20 event issued under paragraph (3) shall be subject to 

21 the health and safety standards required by the Sec22 retary concerned for a permit issued under paragraph 

23 (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre24 ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amend25 ed by this title). 


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1 SEC. 313. PERMIT FLEXIBILITY. 

2 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall es3 tablish guidelines to allow a holder of a special recreation 

4 permit under subsection (h) of section 803 of the Federal 

5 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as 

6 amended by this title), to engage in another recreational 

7 activity under the special recreation permit that is substan8 tially similar to the specific activity authorized under the 

9 special recreation permit. 

10 (b) CRITERIA.—For the purposes of this section, a rec11 reational activity shall be considered to be a substantially 

12 similar recreational activity if the recreational activity— 

13 (1) is comparable in type, nature, scope, and ec14 ological setting to the specific activity authorized 

15 under the special recreation permit; 

16 (2) does not result in a greater impact on nat17 ural and cultural resources than the impact of the au18 thorized activity; 

19 (3) does not adversely affect— 

20 (A) any other holder of a special recreation 

21 permit or other permit; or 

22 (B) any other authorized use of the Federal 

23 recreational lands and waters; and 

24 (4) is consistent with— 

25 (A) any applicable laws (including regula26 tions); and 


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1 (B) the land management plan, resource 

2 management plan, or equivalent plan applicable 

3 to the Federal recreational lands and waters. 

4 (c) SURRENDER OF UNUSED VISITOR-USE DAYS.— 

5 (1) IN GENERAL.—A recreation service provider 

6 holding a special recreation permit described in para7 graph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal Lands 

8 Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as 

9 amended by this title) may— 

10 (A) notify the Secretary concerned of an in11 ability to use visitor-use days annually allocated 

12 to the recreation service provider under the spe13 cial recreation permit; and 

14 (B) surrender to the Secretary concerned the 

15 unused visitor-use days for the applicable year 

16 for temporary reassignment under section 

17 318(b). 

18 (2) DETERMINATION.—To ensure a recreation 

19 service provider described in paragraph (1) is able to 

20 make an informed decision before surrendering any 

21 unused visitor-use day under paragraph (1)(B), the 

22 Secretary concerned shall, on the request of the appli23 cable recreation service provider, determine and no24 tify the recreation service provider whether the unused 

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1 tion 317(b)(3)(B) before the recreation service pro2 vider surrenders the unused visitor-use day. 

3 (d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section affects any au4 thority of, regulation issued by, or decision of the Secretary 

5 concerned relating to the use of electric bicycles on Federal 

6 recreational lands and waters under any other Federal law. 

7 SEC. 314. PERMIT ADMINISTRATION. 

8 (a) PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 

9 (1) NOTIFICATIONS OF PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 

10 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

11 subparagraph (B), in an area of Federal rec12 reational lands and waters in which use by 

13 recreation service providers is allocated, if the 

14 Secretary concerned determines that visitor-use 

15 days are available for allocation to recreation 

16 service providers or holders of a commercial use 

17 authorization for outfitting and guiding, the Sec18 retary concerned shall publish that information 

19 on the website of the agency that administers the 

20 applicable area of Federal recreational lands and 

21 waters. 

22 (B) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph— 

23 (i) applies to— 

24 (I) the reissuance of an existing 

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1 cial use authorization for outfitting 

2 and guiding; or 

3 (II) the issuance of a new special 

4 recreation permit or new commercial 

5 use authorization for outfitting and 

6 guiding issued to the purchaser of— 

7 (aa) a recreation service pro8 vider that is the holder of an ex9 isting special recreation permit; 

10 or 

11 (bb) a holder of an existing 

12 commercial use authorization for 

13 outfitting and guiding; or 

14 (ii) creates a prerequisite to the 

15 issuance of a special recreation permit or 

16 commercial use authorization for outfitting 

17 and guiding or otherwise limits the author18 ity of the Secretary concerned— 

19 (I) to issue a new special recre20 ation permit or new commercial use 

21 authorization for outfitting and guid22 ing; or 

23 (II) to add a new or additional 

24 use to an existing special recreation 

25 permit or an existing commercial use 


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1 authorization for outfitting and guid2 ing. 

3 (2) UPDATES.—The Secretary concerned shall 

4 ensure that information published on the website 

5 under this subsection is consistently updated to pro6 vide current and correct information to the public. 

7 (3) ELECTRONIC MAIL NOTIFICATIONS.—The Sec8 retary concerned shall establish a system by which po9 tential applicants for special recreation permits or 

10 commercial use authorizations for outfitting and 

11 guiding may subscribe to receive notification by elec12 tronic mail of the availability of special recreation 

13 permits under section 803(h)(1) of the Federal Lands 

14 Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as 

15 amended by this title) or commercial use authoriza16 tions for outfitting and guiding. 

17 (b) PERMIT APPLICATION OR PROPOSAL ACKNOWL18 EDGMENT.—Not later than 60 days after the date on which 

19 the Secretary concerned receives a completed application or 

20 a complete proposal for a special recreation permit under 

21 section 803(h)(1) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhance22 ment Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title), the 

23 Secretary concerned shall— 

24 (1) provide to the applicant notice acknowl25 edging receipt of the application or proposal; and 


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1 (2)(A) issue a final decision with respect to the 

2 application or proposal; or 

3 (B) provide to the applicant notice of a projected 

4 date for a final decision on the application or pro5 posal. 

6 (c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section applies to a con7 cession contract issued by the National Park Service for the 

8 provision of accommodations, facilities, or services. 

9 SEC. 315. SERVICE FIRST INITIATIVE; PERMITS FOR MULTI10 JURISDICTIONAL TRIPS. 

11 (a) REPEAL.—Section 330 of the Department of the 

12 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 

13 (43 U.S.C. 1703), is repealed. 

14 (b) COOPERATIVE ACTION AND SHARING OF RE15 SOURCES BY THE SECRETARIES OF THE INTERIOR AND AG16 RICULTURE.— 

17 (1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2024, and 

18 each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretaries may carry 

19 out an initiative, to be known as the ‘‘Service First 

20 Initiative’’, under which the Secretaries, or Federal 

21 land management agencies within their departments, 

22 may— 

23 (A) establish programs to conduct projects, 

24 planning, permitting, leasing, contracting, and 


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1 other activities, either jointly or on behalf of one 

2 another; 

3 (B) co-locate in Federal offices and facilities 

4 leased by an agency of the Department of the In5 terior or the Department of Agriculture; and 

6 (C) issue rules to test the feasibility of 

7 issuing unified permits, applications, and leases, 

8 subject to the limitations in this section. 

9 (2) DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY.—The Secre10 taries may make reciprocal delegations of the respec11 tive authorities, duties, and responsibilities of the Sec12 retaries in support of the Service First Initiative 

13 agency-wide to promote customer service and effi14 ciency. 

15 (3) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section alters, ex16 pands, or limits the applicability of any law (includ17 ing regulations) to land administered by the Bureau 

18 of Land Management, National Park Service, United 

19 States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service 

20 or matters under the jurisdiction of any other bureaus 

21 or offices of the Department of the Interior or the De22 partment of Agriculture, as applicable. 

23 (4) TRANSFERS OF FUNDING.—Subject to the 

24 availability of appropriations and to facilitate the 

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1 tive, the Secretaries are authorized to mutually trans2 fer funds between, or reimburse amounts expended 

3 from, appropriate accounts of either Department on 

4 an annual basis, including transfers and reimburse5 ments for multiyear projects, except that this author6 ity may not be used in a manner that circumvents 

7 requirements or limitations imposed on the use of any 

8 of the funds so transferred or reimbursed. 

9 (5) REPORT.—The Secretaries shall submit an 

10 annual report to the Committee on Natural Resources 

11 of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 

12 Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate describ13 ing the activities undertaken as part of the Service 

14 First Initiative in the prior year. 

15 (c) PILOT PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL RECREATION PER16 MITS FOR MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRIPS.— 

17 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 

18 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries 

19 shall establish a pilot program to offer to a person 

20 seeking an authorization for a multijurisdictional 

21 trip a set of separate special recreation permits or 

22 commercial use authorizations that authorizes the use 

23 of each unit of Federal recreational lands and waters 

24 on which the multijurisdictional trip occurs, subject 


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1 to the authorities that apply to the applicable unit of 

2 Federal recreational lands and waters. 

3 (2) MINIMUM NUMBER OF PERMITS.—Not later 

4 than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this 

5 title, the Secretaries shall issue not fewer than 10 sets 

6 of separate special recreation permits described in 

7 paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal 

8 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) 

9 (as amended by this title) or commercial use author10 izations under the pilot program established under 

11 paragraph (1). 

12 (3) LEAD AGENCIES.—In carrying out the pilot 

13 program established under paragraph (1), the Secre14 taries shall— 

15 (A) designate a lead agency for issuing and 

16 administering a set of separate special recreation 

17 permits or commercial use authorizations; and 

18 (B) select not fewer than 4 offices at which 

19 a person shall be able to apply for a set of sepa20 rate special recreation permits or commercial use 

21 authorizations, of which— 

22 (i) not fewer than 2 offices are man23 aged by the Secretary; and 


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1 (ii) not fewer than 2 offices are man2 aged by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting 

3 through the Chief of the Forest Service. 

4 (4) RETENTION OF AUTHORITY BY THE APPLICA5 BLE SECRETARY.—Each of the Secretaries shall retain 

6 the authority to enforce the terms, stipulations, condi7 tions, and agreements in a set of separate special 

8 recreation permits or commercial use authorizations 

9 issued under the pilot program established under 

10 paragraph (1) that apply specifically to the use oc11 curring on the Federal recreational lands and waters 

12 managed by the applicable Secretary, under the au13 thorities that apply to the applicable Federal rec14 reational lands and waters. 

15 (5) OPTION TO APPLY FOR SEPARATE SPECIAL

16 RECREATION PERMITS OR COMMERCIAL USE AUTHOR17 IZATIONS.—A person seeking the appropriate permits 

18 or authorizations for a multijurisdictional trip may 

19 apply for— 

20 (A) a separate special recreation permit or 

21 commercial use authorization for the use of each 

22 unit of Federal recreational lands and waters on 

23 which the multijurisdictional trip occurs; or 

24 (B) a set of separate special recreational 

25 permits or commercial use authorizations made 


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1 available under the pilot program established 

2 under paragraph (1). 

3 (6) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection applies 

4 to a concession contract issued by the National Park 

5 Service for the provision of accommodations, facili6 ties, or services. 

7 SEC. 316. FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGE8 MENT TEMPORARY SPECIAL RECREATION 

9 PERMITS FOR OUTFITTING AND GUIDING. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 

11 date of enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned shall 

12 establish and implement a program to authorize the 

13 issuance of temporary special recreation permits for new 

14 or additional recreational uses of Federal recreational land 

15 and water managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau 

16 of Land Management. 

17 (b) TERM OF TEMPORARY PERMITS.—A temporary 

18 special recreation permit issued under paragraph (1) shall 

19 be issued for a period of not more than 2 years. 

20 (c) CONVERSION TO LONG-TERM PERMIT.—If the Sec21 retary concerned determines that a permittee under para22 graph (1) has completed 2 years of satisfactory operation 

23 under the permit proposed to be converted, the Secretary 

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1 ation permit issued under paragraph (1) to a long-term 

2 special recreation permit. 

3 (d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection alters or af4 fects the authority of the Secretary to issue a special recre5 ation permit under subsection (h)(1) of section 803 of the 

6 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 

7 6802) (as amended by this title). 

8 SEC. 317. REVIEWS FOR LONG-TERM PERMITS. 

9 (a) MONITORING.—The Secretary concerned shall 

10 monitor each recreation service provider issued a special 

11 recreation permit for compliance with the terms of the per12 mit— 

13 (1) not less than annually or as frequently as 

14 needed (as determined by the Secretary concerned), in 

15 the case of a temporary special recreation permit for 

16 outfitting and guiding issued under section 316; and 

17 (2) not less than once every 2 years or as fre18 quently as needed (as determined by the Secretary 

19 concerned), in the case of a special recreation permit 

20 described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 802 

21 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 

22 (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by this title) that is 

23 issued for a term of not more than 10 years. 

24 (b) USE-OF-ALLOCATION REVIEWS.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Agri2 culture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, 

3 or the Secretary, as applicable, allocates visitor-use 

4 days among special recreation permits for outfitting 

5 and guiding, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting 

6 through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall, and the 

7 Secretary may, review the use by the recreation serv8 ice provider of the visitor-use days allocated under a 

9 long-term special recreation permit described in para10 graph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 802 of the Federal 

11 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) 

12 (as amended by this title), once every 5 years. 

13 (2) REQUIREMENTS OF THE REVIEW.—In con14 ducting a review under paragraph (1), the Secretary 

15 concerned shall determine— 

16 (A) the number of visitor-use days that the 

17 recreation service provider used each year under 

18 the special recreation permit, in accordance with 

19 paragraph (3); and 

20 (B) the year in which the recreation service 

21 provider used the most visitor-use days under the 

22 special recreation permit. 

23 (3) CONSIDERATION OF SURRENDERED, UNUSED

24 VISITOR-USE DAYS.—For the purposes of determining 

25 the number of visitor-use days a recreation service 


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1 provider used in a specified year under paragraph 

2 (2)(A), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through 

3 the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary, as 

4 applicable, shall consider an unused visitor-use day 

5 that has been surrendered under section 313(c)(1)(B) 

6 as— 

7 (A) 1/2 of a visitor-use day used; or 

8 (B) 1 visitor-use day used, if the Secretary 

9 concerned determines the use of the allocated vis10 itor-use day had been or will be prevented by a 

11 circumstance beyond the control of the recreation 

12 service provider. 

13 SEC. 318. ADJUSTMENT OF ALLOCATED VISITOR-USE DAYS. 

14 (a) ADJUSTMENTS FOLLOWING USE OF ALLOCATION

15 REVIEWS.—On the completion of a use-of-allocation review 

16 conducted under section 317(b) for a special recreation per17 mit described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 802 of 

18 the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 

19 6801) (as amended by this title), the Secretary of Agri20 culture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, or 

21 the Secretary, as applicable, shall adjust the number of vis22 itor-use days allocated to a recreation service provider 

23 under the special recreation permit as follows: 

24 (1) If the Secretary concerned determines that 

25 the performance of the recreation service provider was 


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1 satisfactory during the most recent review conducted 

2 under subsection (a) of section 317, the annual num3 ber of visitor-use days allocated for each remaining 

4 year of the permit shall be equal to 125 percent of the 

5 number of visitor-use days used, as determined under 

6 subsection (b)(2)(A) of that section, during the year 

7 identified under subsection (b)(2)(B) of that section, 

8 not to exceed the level allocated to the recreation serv9 ice provider on the date on which the special recre10 ation permit was issued. 

11 (2) If the Secretary concerned determines the 

12 performance of the recreation service provider is less 

13 than satisfactory during the most recent performance 

14 review conducted under subsection (a) of section 317, 

15 the annual number of visitor-use days allocated for 

16 each remaining year of the special recreation permit 

17 shall be equal to not more than 100 percent of the 

18 number of visitor-use days used, as determined under 

19 subsection (b)(2)(A) of that section during the year 

20 identified under subsection (b)(2)(B) of that section. 

21 (b) TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT OF UNUSED VISITOR22 USE DAYS.—The Secretary concerned may temporarily as23 sign unused visitor-use days, made available under section 

24 313(c)(1)(B), to— 


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1 (1) any other existing or potential recreation 

2 service provider, notwithstanding the number of vis3 itor-use days allocated to the special recreation per4 mit holder under the special recreation permit held or 

5 to be held by the recreation service provider; or 

6 (2) any existing or potential holder of a special 

7 recreation permit described in clause (i) or (iii) of 

8 paragraph (13)(A) of section 802 of the Federal 

9 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) 

10 (as amended by this title), including the public. 

11 (c) ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.—If unallocated visitor-use 

12 days are available, the Secretary concerned may, at any 

13 time, amend a special recreation permit to allocate addi14 tional visitor-use days to a qualified recreation service pro15 vider. 

16 SEC. 319. LIABILITY. 

17 (a) INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.— 

18 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para19 graph (2), as a condition of issuing a special recre20 ation permit under subsection (h)(1)(B) of section 

21 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 

22 Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title) or a 

23 commercial use authorization, the Secretary con24 cerned may require the holder of the special recreation 


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1 permit or commercial use authorization to have a 

2 commercial general liability insurance policy that— 

3 (A) is commensurate with the level of risk 

4 of the activities to be conducted under the special 

5 recreation permit or commercial use authoriza6 tion; and 

7 (B) includes the United States as an addi8 tional insured in an endorsement to the applica9 ble policy. 

10 (2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary concerned shall 

11 not require a holder of a special recreation permit or 

12 commercial use authorization for low-risk activities, 

13 as determined by the Secretary concerned, including 

14 commemorative ceremonies and participation by the 

15 public in a recreation activity or recreation use of a 

16 specific area of Federal recreational lands and waters 

17 in which use by the public is allocated, to comply 

18 with the requirements of paragraph (1). 

19 (b) INDEMNIFICATION BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTI20 TIES.—The Secretary concerned shall not require a State, 

21 State agency, State institution, or political subdivision of 

22 a State to indemnify the United States for tort liability 

23 as a condition for issuing a special recreation permit or 

24 commercial use authorization to the extent the State, State 

25 agency, State institution, or political subdivision of a State 


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1 is precluded by State law from providing indemnification 

2 to the United States for tort liability, if the State, State 

3 agency, State institution, or political subdivision of the 

4 State maintains the minimum amount of liability insur5 ance coverage required by the Federal land management 

6 agency for the activities conducted under the special recre7 ation permit or commercial use authorization in the form 

8 of— 

9 (1) a commercial general liability insurance pol10 icy, which includes the United States as an addi11 tional insured in an endorsement to the policy, if the 

12 State is authorized to obtain commercial general li13 ability insurance by State law; 

14 (2) self-insurance, which covers the United States 

15 as an additional insured, if authorized by State law; 

16 or 

17 (3) a combination of the coverage described in 

18 paragraphs (1) and (2). 

19 (c) EXCULPATORY AGREEMENTS.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para21 graph (2), a Federal land management agency shall 

22 not implement, administer, or enforce any regulation, 

23 guidance, or policy prohibiting the use of an excul24 patory agreement between a recreation service pro25 vider or a holder of a commercial use authorization 


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1 and a customer relating to services provided under a 

2 special recreation permit or a commercial use author3 ization. 

4 (2) REQUIREMENTS.—Any exculpatory agree5 ment used by a recreation service provider or holder 

6 of a commercial use authorization for an activity au7 thorized under a special recreation permit or commer8 cial use authorization— 

9 (A) shall shield the United States from any 

10 liability, if otherwise allowable under Federal 

11 law; and 

12 (B) shall not waive any liability of the 

13 recreation service provider or holder of the com14 mercial use authorization that may not be 

15 waived under the laws (including common law) 

16 of the applicable State or for gross negligence, 

17 recklessness, or willful misconduct. 

18 (3) CONSISTENCY.—Not later than 2 years after 

19 the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries 

20 shall— 

21 (A) review the policies of the Secretaries 

22 pertaining to the use of exculpatory agreements 

23 by recreation service providers and holders of 

24 commercial use authorizations; and 


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1 (B) revise any policy described in subpara2 graph (A) as necessary to make the policies of 

3 the Secretaries pertaining to the use of excul4 patory agreements by recreation service pro5 viders and holders of commercial use authoriza6 tions consistent with this subsection and across 

7 all Federal recreational lands and waters. 

8 (d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section applies to a con9 cession contract issued by the National Park Service for the 

10 provision of accommodations, facilities, or services. 

11 SEC. 320. COST RECOVERY REFORM. 

12 (a) COST RECOVERY FOR SPECIAL RECREATION PER13 MITS.—In addition to a fee collected under section 803 of 

14 the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 

15 6802) or any other authorized fee collected by the Secretary 

16 concerned, the Secretary concerned may assess and collect 

17 a reasonable fee from an applicant for, or holder of, a spe18 cial recreation permit to recover administrative costs in19 curred by the Secretary concerned for— 

20 (1) processing a proposal or application for the 

21 special recreation permit; 

22 (2) issuing the special recreation permit; and 

23 (3) monitoring the special recreation permit to 

24 ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of 

25 the special recreation permit. 


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1 (b) DE MINIMIS EXEMPTION FROM COST RECOV2 ERY.—If the administrative costs described in subsection 

3 (a) are assessed on an hourly basis, the Secretary concerned 

4 shall— 

5 (1) establish an hourly de minimis threshold that 

6 exempts a specified number of hours from the assess7 ment and collection of administrative costs described 

8 in subsection (a); and 

9 (2) charge an applicant only for any hours that 

10 exceed the de minimis threshold. 

11 (c) MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.—If the Secretary con12 cerned collectively processes multiple applications for spe13 cial recreation permits for the same or similar services in 

14 the same unit of Federal recreational lands and waters, the 

15 Secretary concerned shall, to the extent practicable— 

16 (1) assess from the applicants the fee described in 

17 subsection (a) on a prorated basis; and 

18 (2) apply the exemption described in subsection 

19 (b) to each applicant on an individual basis. 

20 (d) LIMITATION.—The Secretary concerned shall not 

21 assess or collect administrative costs under this section for 

22 a programmatic environmental review. 

23 (e) COST REDUCTION.—To the maximum extent prac24 ticable, the agency processing an application for a special 

25 recreation permit shall use existing studies and analysis to 


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1 reduce the quantity of work and costs necessary to process 

2 the application. 

3 SEC. 321. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL 

4 RECREATION PASSES. 

5 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Lands Recreation En6 hancement Act is amended by inserting after section 805 

7 (16 U.S.C. 6804) the following: 

8 ‘‘SEC. 805A. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL 

9 RECREATION PASSES. 

10 ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.— 

11 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To improve the availability 

12 of Federal, State, and local outdoor recreation passes, 

13 the Secretaries are encouraged to coordinate with 

14 States and counties regarding the availability of Fed15 eral, State, and local recreation passes to allow a 

16 purchaser to buy a Federal recreation pass, State 

17 recreation pass, and local recreation pass in a single 

18 transaction. 

19 ‘‘(2) INCLUDED PASSES.—Passes covered by the 

20 program established under paragraph (1) include— 

21 ‘‘(A) an America the Beautiful—the Na22 tional Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 

23 Pass under section 805; and 

24 ‘‘(B) any pass covering any fees charged by 

25 participating States and counties for entrance 


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1 and recreational use of parks and public land in 

2 the participating States. 

3 ‘‘(b) AGREEMENTS WITH STATES AND COUNTIES.— 

4 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries, after con5 sultation with the States and counties, may enter into 

6 agreements with States and counties to coordinate the 

7 availability of passes as described in subsection (a). 

8 ‘‘(2) REVENUE FROM PASS SALES.—Agreements 

9 between the Secretaries, States, and counties entered 

10 into pursuant to this section shall ensure that— 

11 ‘‘(A) funds from the sale of State or local 

12 passes are transferred to the appropriate State 

13 agency or county government; 

14 ‘‘(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes 

15 are transferred to the appropriate Federal agen16 cy; and 

17 ‘‘(C) fund transfers are completed by the 

18 end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring 

19 during the fiscal year.’’. 

20 (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for 

21 the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act is amended 

22 by inserting after the item relating to section 805 the fol23 lowing: 

‘‘Sec. 805A. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes.’’. 


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1 SEC. 322. ONLINE PURCHASES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A 

2 DIGITAL VERSION OF AMERICA THE BEAU3 TIFUL—THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL 

4 RECREATIONAL LANDS PASSES. 

5 (a) ONLINE PURCHASES OF AMERICA THE BEAU6 TIFUL–THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL REC7 REATIONAL LANDS PASS.—Section 805(a)(6) of the Federal 

8 Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(6)) 

9 is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 

10 following: 

11 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall 

12 sell or otherwise make available the National 

13 Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass— 

14 ‘‘(i) at all Federal recreational lands 

15 and waters at which— 

16 ‘‘(I) an entrance fee or a standard 

17 amenity recreation fee is charged; and 

18 ‘‘(II) such sales or distribution of 

19 the Pass is feasible; 

20 ‘‘(ii) at such other locations as the Sec21 retaries consider appropriate and feasible; 

22 and 

23 ‘‘(iii) through a prominent link to a 

24 centralized pass sale system on the website 

25 of each of the Federal land management 

26 agencies and the websites of the relevant 


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1 units and subunits of those agencies, which 

2 shall include information about where and 

3 when a National Parks and Federal Rec4 reational Lands Pass may be used.’’. 

5 (b) DIGITAL VERSION OF THE AMERICA THE BEAU6 TIFUL—THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATION

7 LANDS PASS.—Section 805(a) of the Federal Lands Recre8 ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)) is amended by 

9 adding at the end the following: 

10 ‘‘(10) DIGITAL RECREATION PASSES.—Not later 

11 than January 1, 2026, the Secretaries shall— 

12 ‘‘(A) establish a digital version of the Na13 tional Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 

14 Pass that is able to be stored on a mobile device, 

15 including with respect to free and discounted 

16 passes; and 

17 ‘‘(B) upon completion of a transaction for 

18 a National Parks and Federal Recreational 

19 Lands Pass, make immediately available to the 

20 passholder a digital version of the National 

21 Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass es22 tablished under subparagraph (A).’’. 

23 (c) ENTRANCE PASS AND AMENITY FEES.—Section 

24 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 


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1 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title) is amended by add2 ing at the end the following: 

3 ‘‘(j) ONLINE PAYMENTS.— 

4 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to providing on5 site payment methods, the Secretaries may collect 

6 payment online for— 

7 ‘‘(A) entrance fees under subsection (e); 

8 ‘‘(B) standard amenity recreation fees 

9 under subsection (f); 

10 ‘‘(C) expanded amenity recreation fees 

11 under subsection (g); and 

12 ‘‘(D) special recreation permit fees. 

13 ‘‘(2) DISTRIBUTION OF ONLINE PAYMENTS.—An 

14 online payment collected under paragraph (1) that is 

15 associated with a specific unit or area of a Federal 

16 land management agency shall be distributed in ac17 cordance with section 805(c).’’. 

18 SEC. 323. SAVINGS PROVISION. 

19 Nothing in this subtitle, or in any amendment made 

20 by this subtitle, shall be construed as affecting the authority 

21 or responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to award 

22 concessions contracts for the provision of accommodations, 

23 facilities, and services, or commercial use authorizations to 

24 provide services, to visitors to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv25 ice refuges or units of the National Park System pursuant 


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1 to subchapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54, United States 

2 Code (formerly known as the ‘‘National Park Service Con3 cessions Management Improvement Act of 1998’’), except 

4 that sections 314(a), 315, 319(a), 319(b), and 319(c) of this 

5 subtitle shall also apply to commercial use authorizations 

6 under that Act. 

7 Subtitle B—Making Recreation a 

8 Priority 

9 SEC. 331. EXTENSION OF SEASONAL RECREATION OPPOR10 TUNITIES. 

11 (a) DEFINITION OF SEASONAL CLOSURE.—In this sec12 tion, the term ‘‘seasonal closure’’ means any period during 

13 which— 

14 (1) a unit, or portion of a unit, of Federal rec15 reational lands and waters is closed to the public for 

16 a continuous period of 30 days or more, excluding 

17 temporary closures relating to wildlife conservation or 

18 public safety; and 

19 (2) permitted or allowable recreational activities, 

20 which provide an economic benefit, including off-sea21 son or winter-season tourism, do not take place at the 

22 unit, or portion of a unit, of Federal recreational 

23 lands and waters. 

24 (b) COORDINATION.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall consult 

2 and coordinate with outdoor recreation-related busi3 nesses operating on, or adjacent to, a unit of Federal 

4 recreational lands and waters, State offices of outdoor 

5 recreation, local destination marketing organizations, 

6 applicable trade organizations, nonprofit organiza7 tions, Indian Tribes, local governments, and institu8 tions of higher education— 

9 (A) to better understand— 

10 (i) trends with respect to visitors to the 

11 unit of Federal recreational lands and 

12 waters; 

13 (ii) the effect of seasonal closures on 

14 areas of, or infrastructure on, units of Fed15 eral recreational lands and waters on out16 door recreation opportunities, adjacent busi17 nesses, and local tax revenue; and 

18 (iii) opportunities to extend the period 

19 of time during which areas of, or infra20 structure on, units of Federal recreational 

21 lands and waters are open to the public to 

22 increase outdoor recreation opportunities 

23 and associated revenues for businesses and 

24 local governments; and 


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1 (B) to solicit input from, and provide infor2 mation for, outdoor recreation marketing cam3 paigns. 

4 (2) LOCAL COORDINATION.—As part of the con5 sultation and coordination required under subpara6 graph (1), the Secretaries shall encourage relevant 

7 unit managers of Federal recreational lands and 

8 waters managed by the Forest Service, the Bureau of 

9 Land Management, and the National Park Service to 

10 consult and coordinate with local governments, In11 dian Tribes, outdoor recreation-related businesses, 

12 and other local stakeholders operating on or adjacent 

13 to the relevant unit of Federal recreational lands and 

14 waters. 

15 (d) EXTENSIONS BEYOND SEASONAL CLOSURES.— 

16 (1) EXTENSION OF RECREATIONAL SEASON.—In 

17 the case of a unit of Federal recreational lands and 

18 waters managed by the Forest Service, the Bureau of 

19 Land Management, or the National Park Service in 

20 which recreational use is highly seasonal, the Sec21 retary concerned, acting through the relevant unit 

22 manager, may— 

23 (A) as appropriate, extend the recreation 

24 season or increase recreation use in a sustainable 

25 manner during the offseason; and 


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1 (B) make information about extended sea2 son schedules and related recreational opportuni3 ties available to the public and local commu4 nities. 

5 (2) DETERMINATION.—In determining whether 

6 to extend the recreation season under this subsection, 

7 the Secretary concerned, acting through the relevant 

8 unit manager, shall consider the benefits of extending 

9 the recreation season— 

10 (A) for the duration of income to gateway 

11 communities; and 

12 (B) to provide more opportunities to visit 

13 resources on units of Federal recreational lands 

14 and waters to reduce crowding during peak visi15 tation. 

16 (3) CLARIFICATION.—Nothing in this subsection 

17 precludes the Secretary concerned, acting through the 

18 relevant unit manager, from providing for additional 

19 recreational opportunities and uses at times other 

20 than those described in this subsection. 

21 (4) INCLUSIONS.—An extension of a recreation 

22 season or an increase in recreation use during the 

23 offseason under paragraph (1) may include— 

24 (A) the addition of facilities that would in25 crease recreation use during the offseason; and 


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1 (B) improvement of access to the relevant 

2 unit to extend the recreation season. 

3 (5) REQUIREMENT.—An extension of a recre4 ation season or increase in recreation use during the 

5 offseason under paragraph (1) shall be done in com6 pliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, 

7 and policies, including land use plans. 

8 (6) AGREEMENTS.— 

9 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 

10 may enter into agreements with businesses, local 

11 governments, or other entities to share the cost of 

12 additional expenses necessary to extend the pe13 riod of time during which an area of, or infra14 structure on, a unit of Federal recreational lands 

15 and waters is made open to the public. 

16 (B) IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Sec17 retary concerned may accept in-kind contribu18 tions of goods and services provided by busi19 nesses, local governments, or other entities for 

20 purposes of paragraph (1). 


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1 Subtitle C—Maintenance of Public 

2 Land 

3 SEC. 341. VOLUNTEERS IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS AND 

4 PUBLIC LANDS ACT. 

5 The Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972 (16 

6 U.S.C. 558a et seq.) is amended to read as follows: 

7 ‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

8 ‘‘This Act may be cited as the ‘Volunteers in the Na9 tional Forests and Public Lands Act’. 

10 ‘‘SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 

11 ‘‘The purpose of this Act is to leverage volunteer en12 gagement to supplement projects that are carried out by the 

13 Secretaries to fulfill the missions of the Forest Service and 

14 the Bureau of Land Management and are accomplished 

15 with appropriated funds. 

16 ‘‘SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF SECRETARIES. 

17 ‘‘In this Act, the term ‘Secretaries’ means each of— 

18 ‘‘(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through 

19 the Chief of the Forest Service; and 

20 ‘‘(2) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through 

21 the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. 

22 ‘‘SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION. 

23 ‘‘The Secretaries are authorized to recruit, train, and 

24 accept without regard to the civil service and classification 

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1 out compensation as volunteers for or in aid of recreation 

2 access, trail construction or maintenance, facility construc3 tion or maintenance, educational uses (including outdoor 

4 classroom construction or maintenance), interpretive func5 tions, visitor services, conservation measures and develop6 ment, or other activities in and related to areas adminis7 tered by the Secretaries. In carrying out this section, the 

8 Secretaries shall consider referrals of prospective volunteers 

9 made by the Corporation for National and Community 

10 Service. 

11 ‘‘SEC. 5. INCIDENTAL EXPENSES. 

12 ‘‘The Secretaries are authorized to provide for inci13 dental expenses, such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, 

14 training, equipment, and subsistence. 

15 ‘‘SEC. 6. CONSIDERATION AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEE. 

16 ‘‘(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a 

17 volunteer shall not be deemed a Federal employee and shall 

18 not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal 

19 employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates 

20 of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, and 

21 Federal employee benefits. 

22 ‘‘(b) For the purpose of the tort claim provisions of 

23 title 28, United States Code, a volunteer under this Act 

24 shall be considered a Federal employee. 


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1 ‘‘(c) For the purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 

2 of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation to 

3 Federal employees for work injuries, volunteers under this 

4 Act shall be deemed civil employees of the United States 

5 within the meaning of the term ‘employee’ as defined in 

6 section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, and the provi7 sions of that subchapter shall apply. 

8 ‘‘(d) For the purposes of claims relating to damage to, 

9 or loss of, personal property of a volunteer incident to vol10 unteer service, a volunteer under this Act shall be considered 

11 a Federal employee, and the provisions of section 3721 of 

12 title 31, United States Code, shall apply. 

13 ‘‘(e) For the purposes of subsections (b), (c), and (d), 

14 the term ‘volunteer’ includes a person providing volunteer 

15 services to either of the Secretaries who— 

16 ‘‘(1) is recruited, trained, and supported by a co17 operator under a mutual benefit agreement or cooper18 ative agreement with either of the Secretaries; and 

19 ‘‘(2) performs such volunteer services under the 

20 supervision of the cooperator as directed by either of 

21 the Secretaries in the mutual benefit agreement or co22 operative agreement in the mutual benefit agreement, 

23 including direction that specifies— 

24 ‘‘(A) the volunteer services, including the ge25 ographic boundaries of the work to be performed 


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1 by the volunteers, and the supervision to be pro2 vided by the cooperator; 

3 ‘‘(B) the applicable project safety standards 

4 and protocols to be adhered to by the volunteers 

5 and enforced by the cooperator; 

6 ‘‘(C) the on-site visits to be made by either 

7 of the Secretaries, if feasible and only if nec8 essary to verify that volunteers are performing 

9 the volunteer services and the cooperator is pro10 viding the supervision agreed upon; 

11 ‘‘(D) the equipment the volunteers are au12 thorized to use; 

13 ‘‘(E) the training the volunteers are re14 quired to complete; 

15 ‘‘(F) the actions the volunteers are author16 ized to take; and 

17 ‘‘(G) any other terms and conditions that 

18 are determined to be necessary by the applicable 

19 Secretary. 

20 ‘‘SEC. 7. PROMOTION OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. 

21 ‘‘The Secretaries shall promote volunteer opportunities 

22 in areas administered by the Secretaries. 

23 ‘‘SEC. 8. LIABILITY INSURANCE. 

24 ‘‘The Secretaries shall not require a cooperator or vol25 unteer (as those terms are used in section 6) to have liabilVerDate Sep 11 2014 21:18 Apr 05, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00206 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6203 E:\BILLS\H6492.RH H6492

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1 ity insurance to provide the volunteer services authorized 

2 under this Act.’’. 

3 SEC. 342. REFERENCE. 

4 Any reference to the Volunteers in the National Forests 

5 Act of 1972 in any law, regulation, map, document, record, 

6 or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be 

7 a reference to the Volunteers in the National Forests and 

8 Public Land Act. 

9 Subtitle D—Recreation Not Red 

10 Tape 

11 SEC. 351. GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY FOR RECREATION. 

12 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

13 (1) AUTHORIZED RECREATION SERVICES.—The 

14 term ‘‘authorized recreation services’’ means similar 

15 and complementary recreation enhancement or im16 provement services carried out— 

17 (A) on Federal land, non-Federal land, or 

18 land owned by an Indian Tribe; and 

19 (B) by either the Secretary or a Governor, 

20 Indian Tribe, or county, as applicable, pursuant 

21 to a good neighbor agreement. 

22 (2) COUNTY.—The term ‘‘county’’ means— 

23 (A) the appropriate executive official of an 

24 affected county; or 


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1 (B) in any case in which multiple counties 

2 are affected, the appropriate executive official of 

3 a compact of the affected counties. 

4 (3) FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘‘Federal land’’ 

5 means land that is— 

6 (A) owned and administered by the United 

7 States as a part of— 

8 (i) the National Forest System; or 

9 (ii) the National Park System; or 

10 (B) public lands (as defined in section 103 

11 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

12 of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702)). 

13 (4) RECREATION ENHANCEMENT OR IMPROVE14 MENT SERVICES.—The term ‘‘recreation enhancement 

15 or improvement services’’ means— 

16 (A) establishing, repairing, restoring, im17 proving, relocating, constructing, or recon18 structing new or existing— 

19 (i) trails or trailheads; 

20 (ii) campgrounds and camping areas; 

21 (iii) cabins; 

22 (iv) picnic areas or other day use 

23 areas; 

24 (v) shooting ranges; 

25 (vi) restroom or shower facilities; 


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1 (vii) paved or permanent roads or 

2 parking areas that serve existing recreation 

3 facilities or areas; 

4 (viii) fishing piers, wildlife viewing 

5 platforms, docks, or other constructed fea6 tures at a recreation site; 

7 (ix) boat landings; 

8 (x) hunting or fishing sites; 

9 (xi) infrastructure within ski areas; or 

10 (xii) visitor centers or other interpreta11 tive sites; and 

12 (B) activities that create, improve, or re13 store access to existing recreation facilities or 

14 areas. 

15 (5) GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT.—The term 

16 ‘‘good neighbor agreement’’ means a cooperative 

17 agreement or contract (including a sole source con18 tract) entered into between the Secretary and a Gov19 ernor, Indian Tribe, or county, as applicable, to 

20 carry out authorized recreation services under this 

21 title. 

22 (6) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 

23 the Governor or any other appropriate executive offi24 cial of an affected State or the Commonwealth of 

25 Puerto Rico. 


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1 (7) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec2 retary concerned’’ means— 

3 (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re4 spect to National Forest System land; and 

5 (B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re6 spect to National Park System land and public 

7 lands. 

8 (b) GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENTS FOR RECRE9 ATION.— 

10 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned may 

11 enter into a good neighbor agreement with a Gov12 ernor, Indian Tribe, or county to carry out author13 ized recreation services in accordance with this title. 

14 (2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary con15 cerned shall make each good neighbor agreement 

16 available to the public. 

17 (3) FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 

18 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 

19 may provide financial or technical assistance to 

20 a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county carrying 

21 out authorized recreation services. 

22 (B) ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS OF REV23 ENUE.—Section 8206(b)(2)(C) of the Agricul24 tural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)) is 

25 amended to read as follows: 


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1 ‘‘(C) TREATMENT OF REVENUE.— 

2 ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Funds received 

3 from the sale of timber by a Governor, In4 dian Tribe, or county under a good neigh5 bor agreement shall be retained and used by 

6 the Governor, Indian Tribe, or county, as 

7 applicable— 

8 ‘‘(I) to carry out authorized res9 toration services on under the good 

10 neighbor agreement; and 

11 ‘‘(II) if there are funds remaining 

12 after carrying out clause (i), to carry 

13 out— 

14 ‘‘(aa) authorized restoration 

15 services under other good neighbor 

16 agreements; or 

17 ‘‘(bb) authorized recreation 

18 services under the Good Neighbor 

19 Authority for Recreation Act. 

20 ‘‘(ii) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVE21 NESS.—The authority provided under this 

22 subparagraph terminates effective October 1, 

23 2028.’’. 

24 (4) RETENTION OF NEPA RESPONSIBILITIES.— 

25 Any decision required to be made under the National 


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1 Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 

2 seq.) with respect to any authorized recreation serv3 ices to be provided under this section on Federal land 

4 shall not be delegated to a Governor, Indian Tribe, or 

5 county. 

6 SEC. 352. PERMIT RELIEF FOR PICNIC AREAS. 

7 (a) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary concerned does not 

8 require the public to obtain a permit or reservation to access 

9 a picnic area on Federal recreational lands and waters ad10 ministered by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land 

11 Management, the Secretary concerned shall not require a 

12 covered person to obtain a permit solely to access the picnic 

13 area. 

14 (b) COVERED PERSON DEFINED.—In this section, the 

15 term ‘‘covered person’’ means a person (including an edu16 cational group) that provides outfitting and guiding serv17 ices to fewer than 40 customers per year at a picnic area 

18 described in subsection (a). 

19 SEC. 353. INTERAGENCY REPORT ON SPECIAL RECREATION 

20 PERMITS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. 

21 (a) COVERED COMMUNITY DEFINED.—In this section, 

22 the term ‘‘covered community’’ means a rural or urban 

23 community, including an Indian Tribe, that is— 

24 (1) low-income or underserved; and 


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1 (2) has been underrepresented in outdoor recre2 ation opportunities on Federal recreational lands and 

3 waters. 

4 (b) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 

5 of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries, acting jointly, 

6 shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re7 sources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Re8 sources of the House of Representatives a report that de9 scribes— 

10 (1) the estimated use of special recreation per11 mits serving covered communities; 

12 (2) examples of special recreation permits, part13 nerships, cooperative agreements, or other arrange14 ments providing access to Federal recreational lands 

15 and waters for covered communities; 

16 (3) other ways covered communities are engaging 

17 on Federal recreational lands and waters, including 

18 through stewardship and conservation projects or ac19 tivities; 

20 (4) any barriers for existing or prospective recre21 ation service providers and holders of commercial use 

22 authorizations operating within or serving a covered 

23 community; and 


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1 (5) any recommendations to facilitate and in2 crease permitted access to Federal recreational lands 

3 and waters for covered communities. 

4 SEC. 354. MODERNIZING ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LAND ACT 

5 AMENDMENTS. 

6 The Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act (16 

7 U.S.C. 6851 et seq.) is amended— 

8 (1) in section 3(1) (16 U.S.C. 6852(1)), by strik9 ing ‘‘public outdoor recreational use’’ and inserting 

10 ‘‘recreation sites’’; 

11 (2) in section 5(a)(4) (16 U.S.C. 6854(a)(4)), by 

12 striking ‘‘permanently restricted or prohibited’’ and 

13 inserting ‘‘regulated or closed’’; and 

14 (3) in section 6(b) (16 U.S.C. 6855(b))— 

15 (A) by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting 

16 ‘‘shall’’; and 

17 (B) by striking ‘‘the Secretary of the Inte18 rior’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretaries’’. 

19 SEC. 355. SAVINGS PROVISION. 

20 No additional Federal funds are authorized to carry 

21 out the requirements of this Act and the activities author22 ized by this Act are subject to the availability of appropria23 tions made in advance for such purposes. 


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Union Calendar No. 365 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 6492 

[Report No. 118–441, Part I] 

A BILL 

To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilifor other purposes. tate greater access to, Federal public land, and 

APRIL 5, 2024 

Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with 

A

an amendment 

PRIL 5, 2024 

Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Agriculture disprinted House on the State of the Union and ordered to be charged; committed to the Committee of the Whole 


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