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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6342 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>

                                                 Union Calendar No. 744
118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6342

                      [Report No. 118-911, Part I]

To promote and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for members of 
the Armed Forces and veterans on Federal recreational lands and waters.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 9, 2023

 Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia (for herself and Mr. Peters) 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

                           December 18, 2024

Additional sponsors: Mr. Ciscomani, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Moylan, 
                   Ms. Lee of Florida, and Mr. Nickel

                           December 18, 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]

                           December 18, 2024

 Committees on Agriculture and Veterans' Affairs discharged; committed 
   to the 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 9, 2023]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To promote and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for members of 
the Armed Forces and veterans on Federal recreational lands and waters.

 

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Military and Veterans in Parks Act'' 
or the ``MVP Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Accessible trail.--The term ``accessible trail'' means 
        a trail that meets the requirements for a trail under the 
        Architectural Barriers Act accessibility guidelines.
            (2) Architectural barriers act accessibility guidelines.--
        The term ``Architectural Barriers Act accessibility 
        guidelines'' means the accessibility guidelines set forth in 
        appendices C and D to part 1191 of title 36, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or successor regulations).
            (3) Assistive technology.--The term ``assistive 
        technology'' means any item, piece of equipment, or product 
        system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, 
        that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional 
        capabilities of individuals with disabilities, particularly 
        with participating in outdoor recreation activities.
            (4) Federal land management agency.--The term ``Federal 
        land management agency'' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
        U.S.C. 6801).
            (5) Federal recreational lands and waters.--The term 
        ``Federal recreational lands and waters'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation 
        Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801).
            (6) Gold star family member.--The term ``Gold Star Family 
        member'' means an individual described in section 3.3 of 
        Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.
            (7) Outdoor constructed feature.--The term ``outdoor 
        constructed feature'' has the meaning given such term in 
        appendix C to part 1191 of title 36, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or successor regulations).
            (8) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means each of--
                    (A) the Secretary; and
                    (B) the Secretary of Agriculture.
            (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (10) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Secretary, with respect to land under the 
                jurisdiction of the Secretary; or
                    (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
                land managed by the Forest Service.
            (11) Veterans organization.--The term ``veterans 
        organization'' means a service provider with outdoor recreation 
        experience that serves members of the Armed Forces, veterans, 
        or Gold Star Family members.

              TITLE I--ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

SEC. 101. ACCESSIBLE RECREATION INVENTORY.

    (a) Assessment.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall--
            (1) carry out a comprehensive assessment of outdoor 
        recreation facilities on Federal recreational lands and waters 
        under the jurisdiction of the respective Secretary concerned to 
        determine the accessibility of such outdoor recreation 
        facilities, consistent with the Architectural Barriers Act of 
        1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the 
        Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794), including--
                    (A) camp shelters, camping facilities, and camping 
                units;
                    (B) boat launch ramps;
                    (C) hunting, fishing, shooting, or archery ranges 
                or locations;
                    (D) outdoor constructed features;
                    (E) picnic facilities and picnic units; and
                    (F) any other outdoor recreation facilities, as 
                determined by the Secretary concerned; and
            (2) make information about such opportunities available 
        (including through the use of prominently displayed links) on 
        public websites of--
                    (A) each of the Federal land management agencies; 
                and
                    (B) each relevant unit and subunit of the Federal 
                land management agencies.
    (b) Inclusion of Current Assessments.--As part of the comprehensive 
assessment required under subsection (a)(1), to the extent practicable, 
the Secretary concerned may rely on assessments completed or data 
gathered prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Public Information.--Not later than 7 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall identify 
opportunities to create, update, or replace signage and other publicly 
available information, including web page information, related to 
accessibility and consistent with the Architectural Barriers Act of 
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
(29 U.S.C. 794) at outdoor recreation facilities covered by the 
assessment required under subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 102. TRAIL INVENTORY.

    (a) Assessment.--Not later than 7 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall--
            (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of high-priority 
        trails, in accordance with subsection (b), on Federal 
        recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the 
        respective Secretary concerned, including measuring each 
        trail's--
                    (A) average and minimum tread width;
                    (B) average and maximum running slope;
                    (C) average and maximum cross slope;
                    (D) tread type; and
                    (E) length; and
            (2) make information about such high-priority trails 
        available (including through the use of prominently displayed 
        links) on public websites of--
                    (A) each of the Federal land management agencies; 
                and
                    (B) each relevant unit and subunit of the Federal 
                land management agencies.
    (b) Selection.--The Secretary concerned shall select high-priority 
trails to be assessed under subsection (a)(1)--
            (1) in consultation with stakeholders, including veterans 
        organizations and organizations with expertise or experience 
        providing outdoor recreation opportunities to individuals with 
        disabilities;
            (2) in a geographically equitable manner; and
            (3) in no fewer than 15 units or subunits managed by the 
        Secretary concerned.
    (c) Inclusion of Current Assessments.--As part of the assessment 
required under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary concerned may, to the 
extent practicable, rely on assessments completed or data gathered 
prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Public Information.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 7 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall 
        identify opportunities to replace signage and other publicly 
        available information, including web page information, related 
        to such high-priority trails and consistent with the 
        Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and 
        section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794) at high-
        priority trails covered by the assessment required under 
        subsection (a)(1).
            (2) Tread obstacles.--As part of the assessment required 
        under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary may, to the extent 
        practicable, include photographs or descriptions of tread 
        obstacles and barriers.
    (e) Assistive Technology Specification.--In publishing information 
about each trail under this subsection, the Secretary concerned shall 
make public information about trails that do not meet the Architectural 
Barriers Act accessibility guidelines but could otherwise provide 
outdoor recreation opportunities to individuals with disabilities 
through the use of certain assistive technology.

SEC. 103. TRAIL PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall carry out a pilot 
program to enter into partnerships with eligible entities to--
            (1) measure high-priority trails as part of the assessment 
        required under section 102;
            (2) develop accessible trails under section 104; and
            (3) make minor modifications to existing trails to enhance 
        recreational experiences for individuals with disabilities 
        using assistive technology--
                    (A) in compliance with all applicable land use and 
                management plans of the Federal recreational lands and 
                waters on which the accessible trail is located; and
                    (B) in consultation with stakeholders, including 
                veterans organizations and organizations with expertise 
                or experience providing outdoor recreation 
                opportunities to individuals with disabilities.
    (b) Locations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary concerned shall select no 
        fewer than 5 units or subunits under the jurisdiction of the 
        respective Secretary concerned to carry out the pilot program 
        established under subsection (a).
            (2) Special rule of construction for the department of the 
        interior.--In selecting the locations of the pilot program, the 
        Secretary shall ensure that the pilot program is carried out in 
        at least one unit managed by the--
                    (A) National Park Service;
                    (B) Bureau of Land Management; and
                    (C) United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
    (c) Sunset.--The pilot program established under this subsection 
shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 104. ACCESSIBLE TRAILS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall select a location 
or locations to develop at least 3 new accessible trails--
            (1) on National Forest System lands in each region of the 
        Forest Service;
            (2) on land managed by the National Park Service in each 
        region of the National Park Service;
            (3) on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in 
        each region of the Bureau of Land Management; and
            (4) on land managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
        Service in each region of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
        Service.
    (b) Development.--In developing an accessible trail under 
subsection (a), the Secretary concerned--
            (1) may--
                    (A) create a new accessible trail;
                    (B) modify an existing trail into an accessible 
                trail; or
                    (C) create an accessible trail from a combination 
                of new and existing trails; and
            (2) shall--
                    (A) consult with stakeholders with respect to the 
                feasibility and resources necessary for completing the 
                accessible trail;
                    (B) ensure the accessible trail complies with the 
                Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et 
                seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 
                U.S.C. 794); and
                    (C) to the extent practicable, ensure that outdoor 
                constructed features supporting the accessible trail, 
                including trail bridges, parking spaces, and restroom 
                facilities, meet the requirements of the Architectural 
                Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and 
                section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794).
    (c) Completion.--Not later than 7 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with 
stakeholders described under subsection (b)(2), shall complete each 
accessible trail developed under subsection (a).
    (d) Maps, Signage, and Promotional Materials.--For each accessible 
trail developed under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall--
            (1) publish and distribute maps and install signage, 
        consistent with Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
        accessibility guidelines and section 508 of the Rehabilitation 
        Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); and
            (2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-
        Federal resources necessary for the development, stewardship, 
        completion, or promotion of the accessible trail.
    (e) Conflict Avoidance With Other Uses.--In developing each 
accessible trail under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall 
ensure that the accessible trail--
            (1) minimizes conflict with--
                    (A) the uses in effect before the date of the 
                enactment of this Act with respect to any trail that is 
                part of that accessible trail;
                    (B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, 
                horseback riding, off-highway vehicle recreation, or 
                use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on the 
                date of the enactment of this Act; or
                    (C) the purposes for which any trail is established 
                under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et 
                seq.); and
            (2) complies with all applicable land use and management 
        plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters on which the 
        accessible trail is located.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Interim report.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in 
        coordination with stakeholders and other interested 
        organizations, shall prepare and publish an interim report that 
        lists the accessible trails developed under this section during 
        the previous 3 years.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 7 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in 
        coordination with stakeholders and other interested 
        organizations, shall prepare and publish a final report that 
        lists the accessible trails developed under this section.

SEC. 105. ACCESSIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall select a location 
to develop at least 2 new accessible recreation opportunities--
            (1) on National Forest System lands in each region of the 
        Forest Service;
            (2) on land managed by the National Park Service in each 
        region of the National Park Service;
            (3) on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in 
        each region of the Bureau of Land Management; and
            (4) on land managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
        Service in each region of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
        Service.
    (b) Development.--In developing an accessible recreation 
opportunity under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned--
            (1) may--
                    (A) create a new accessible recreation opportunity; 
                or
                    (B) modify an existing recreation opportunity into 
                an accessible recreation opportunity; and
            (2) shall--
                    (A) consult with stakeholders with respect to the 
                feasibility and resources necessary for completing the 
                accessible recreation opportunity;
                    (B) ensure the accessible recreation opportunity 
                complies with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
                (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the 
                Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794); and
                    (C) to the extent practicable, ensure that outdoor 
                constructed features supporting the accessible 
                recreation opportunity, including trail bridges, 
                parking spaces and restroom facilities, meet the 
                requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
                and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 
                794).
    (c) Accessible Recreation Opportunities.--The accessible recreation 
opportunities developed under subsection (a) may include improving 
accessibility or access to--
            (1) camp shelters, camping facilities, and camping units;
            (2) hunting, fishing, shooting, or archery ranges or 
        locations;
            (3) snow activities, including skiing and snowboarding;
            (4) water activities, including kayaking, paddling, 
        canoeing, and boat launch ramps;
            (5) rock climbing;
            (6) biking;
            (7) off-highway vehicle recreation;
            (8) picnic facilities and picnic units;
            (9) outdoor constructed features; and
            (10) any other new or existing recreation opportunities 
        identified in consultation with stakeholders under subsection 
        (b)(2) and consistent with the applicable land management plan.
    (d) Completion.--Not later than 7 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in coordination with 
stakeholders consulted with under subsection (b)(2), shall complete 
each accessible recreation opportunity developed under subsection (a).
    (e) Maps, Signage, and Promotional Materials.--For each accessible 
recreation opportunity developed under subsection (a), the Secretary 
concerned shall--
            (1) publish and distribute maps and install signage, 
        consistent with Architectural Barriers Act accessibility 
        guidelines and section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 
        794d); and
            (2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-
        Federal resources necessary for the development, stewardship, 
        completion, or promotion of the accessible trail.
    (f) Conflict Avoidance With Other Uses.--In developing each 
accessible recreation opportunity under subsection (a), the Secretary 
concerned shall ensure that the accessible recreation opportunity--
            (1) minimizes conflict with--
                    (A) the uses in effect before the date of the 
                enactment of this Act with respect to any Federal 
                recreational lands and waters on which the accessible 
                recreation opportunity is located; or
                    (B) multiple-use areas in existence on the date of 
                the enactment of this Act; and
            (2) complies with all applicable land use and management 
        plans of the Federal recreational lands and waters on which the 
        accessible recreational opportunity is located.
    (g) Reports.--
            (1) Interim report.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in 
        coordination with stakeholders and other interested 
        organizations, shall prepare and publish an interim report that 
        lists the accessible recreation opportunities developed under 
        this section during the previous 3 years.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 7 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in 
        coordination with stakeholders and other interested 
        organizations, shall prepare and publish a final report that 
        lists the accessible recreation opportunities developed under 
        this section.

SEC. 106. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY.

    In carrying out this title, the Secretary concerned may enter into 
partnerships, contracts, or agreements with other Federal, State, 
Tribal, local, or private entities, including existing outfitting and 
guiding services, to make assistive technology available on Federal 
recreational lands and waters.

SEC. 107. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

    Nothing in the title shall be construed to create any conflicting 
standards with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 
et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794).

                TITLE II--MILITARY AND VETERANS IN PARKS

SEC. 201. PROMOTION OF OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS 
              AND VETERANS.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary concerned, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs and the Secretary of Defense, shall develop educational and 
public awareness materials to disseminate to members of the Armed 
Forces and veterans, including through preseparation counseling of the 
Transition Assistance Program under chapter 1142 of title 10, United 
States Code, on--
            (1) opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and 
        veterans to access Federal recreational lands and waters free 
        of charge under section 805 of the Federal Lands Recreation 
        Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804), including by prominently 
        displaying signage, to the extent practicable, at Federal 
        recreational lands and waters managed by the National Park 
        Service;
            (2) the availability and location of accessible trails, 
        including new accessible trails developed and completed under 
        section 104;
            (3) the availability and location of accessible recreation 
        opportunities, including new accessible recreation 
        opportunities developed and completed under section 105;
            (4) access to, and assistance with, assistive technology;
            (5) outdoor-related volunteer and wellness programs;
            (6) the benefits of outdoor recreation for physical and 
        mental health;
            (7) resources to access guided outdoor trips and other 
        outdoor programs connected to the Department of Defense, the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of the Interior, 
        or the Department of Agriculture; and
            (8) programs and jobs focused on continuing national 
        service such as Public Land Corps, AmeriCorps, and conservation 
        corps programs.

SEC. 202. MILITARY VETERANS OUTDOOR RECREATION LIAISONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretaries and the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall each establish within their Departments the position of 
Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaison.
    (b) Duties.--The Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaison 
shall--
            (1) coordinate the implementation of this title;
            (2) implement recommendations identified by the Task Force 
        on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans established under section 
        203 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, 
        and Treatment Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-214), including 
        recommendations related to--
                    (A) identifying new opportunities to formalize 
                coordination between the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of the 
                Interior, and partner organizations regarding the use 
                of Federal recreational lands and waters for 
                facilitating health and wellness for veterans;
                    (B) addressing identified barriers that exist to 
                providing veterans with opportunities to augment the 
                delivery of services for health and wellness through 
                the use of outdoor recreation on Federal recreational 
                lands and waters; and
                    (C) facilitating the use of Federal recreational 
                lands and waters for promoting wellness and 
                facilitating the delivery of health care and 
                therapeutic interventions for veterans;
            (3) coordinate with Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation 
        Liaisons at other Federal agencies and veterans organizations; 
        and
            (4) promote outdoor recreation experiences for veterans on 
        Federal recreational lands and waters through new and 
        innovative approaches.

SEC. 203. PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE MILITARY AND VETERAN RECREATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary concerned shall seek to enter into 
partnerships or agreements with State, Tribal, local, or private 
entities with expertise in outdoor recreation, volunteer, 
accessibility, and health and wellness programs for members of the 
Armed Forces or veterans.
    (b) Partnerships.--As part of a partnership or agreement entered 
into under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may host events on 
Federal recreational lands and waters designed to promote outdoor 
recreation among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
    (c) Financial and Technical Assistance.--Under a partnership or 
agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary 
concerned may provide financial or technical assistance to the entity 
with which the respective Secretary concerned has entered into the 
partnership or agreement to assist with--
            (1) the planning, development, and execution of events, 
        activities, or programs designed to promote outdoor recreation 
        for members of the Armed Forces or veterans; or
            (2) the acquisition of assistive technology to facilitate 
        improved outdoor recreation opportunities for members of the 
        Armed Forces or veterans.

SEC. 204. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MILITARY AND VETERAN RECREATION.

    (a) Strategy.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, acting jointly, shall develop 
and make public a strategy to increase visits to Federal recreational 
lands and waters by members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold 
Star Family members.
    (b) Requirements.--A strategy developed under subsection (a)--
            (1) shall--
                    (A) establish objectives and quantifiable targets 
                for increasing visits to Federal recreational lands and 
                waters by members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and 
                Gold Star Family members;
                    (B) include an opportunity for public notice and 
                comment;
                    (C) emphasize increased recreation opportunities on 
                Federal recreational lands and waters for members of 
                the Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family 
                members; and
                    (D) provide the anticipated costs to achieve the 
                objectives and meet the targets established under 
                subparagraph (A); and
            (2) shall not establish any preference between similar 
        recreation facilitated by noncommercial or commercial entities.
    (c) Update to Strategy.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
the publication of the strategy required under subsection (a), and 
every 5 years thereafter, the Secretaries, acting jointly, shall update 
the strategy and make public the update.

SEC. 205. RECREATION RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    Section 804(d) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6803(d)), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``11'' and inserting 
        ``12''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5)(D)(ii)--
                    (A) by striking ``Three'' and inserting ``Four''; 
                and
                    (B) after subclause (III), by inserting the 
                following:
                                    ``(IV) Veterans organizations, as 
                                such term is defined in section 201 of 
                                the MVP Act.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (8) by striking ``Eight'' and inserting 
        ``Six''.

SEC. 206. CAREER AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS.

    (a) Veteran Hiring.--The Secretaries are strongly encouraged to 
hire veterans in all positions related to the management of Federal 
recreational lands and waters.
    (b) Pilot Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and 
        Training and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish 
        a pilot program under which veterans are employed by the 
        Federal Government in positions that relate to the conservation 
        and resource management activities of the Department of the 
        Interior.
            (2) Positions.--The Secretary shall--
                    (A) identify vacant positions in the Department of 
                the Interior that are appropriate to fill using the 
                pilot program; and
                    (B) to the extent practicable, fill such positions 
                using the pilot program.
            (3) Application of civil service laws.--A veteran employed 
        under the pilot program shall be treated as an employee as 
        defined by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.
            (4) Briefings and report.--
                    (A) Initial briefing.--Not later than 60 days after 
                the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
                and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training shall jointly provide to the 
                appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the 
                pilot program under this subsection, which shall 
                include--
                            (i) a description of how the pilot program 
                        will be carried out in a manner to reduce the 
                        unemployment of veterans; and
                            (ii) any recommendations for legislative 
                        actions to improve the pilot program.
                    (B) Implementation briefing.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date on which the pilot program under 
                subsection (a) commences, the Secretary and the 
                Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment 
                and Training shall jointly provide to the appropriate 
                congressional committees a briefing on the 
                implementation of the pilot program.
                    (C) Final report.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) 
                terminates under paragraph (5), the Secretary and the 
                Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment 
                and Training shall jointly submit to the appropriate 
                congressional committees a report on the pilot program 
                that includes the following:
                            (i) The number of veterans who applied to 
                        participate in the pilot program.
                            (ii) The number of such veterans employed 
                        under the pilot program.
                            (iii) The number of veterans identified in 
                        clause (ii) who transitioned to full-time 
                        positions with the Federal Government after 
                        participating in the pilot program.
                            (iv) Any other information the Secretary 
                        and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
                        Veterans' Employment and Training determine 
                        appropriate with respect to measuring the 
                        effectiveness of the pilot program.
            (5) Duration.--The authority to carry out the pilot program 
        under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 2 
        years after the date on which the pilot program commences.
    (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
        Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and
            (2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
        Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
    (d) Outdoor Recreation Program Attendance.--Each Secretary of a 
military department is encouraged to allow members of the Armed Forces 
on active duty status to participate in programs related to 
environmental stewardship or guided outdoor recreation.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 744

118th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 6342

                      [Report No. 118-911, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To promote and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for members of 
the Armed Forces and veterans on Federal recreational lands and waters.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           December 18, 2024

   Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with an amendment

                           December 18, 2024

 Committees on Agriculture and Veterans' Affairs discharged; committed 
   to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and 
                         ordered to be printed
```