National Park Service Centennial Act

To prepare the National Park Service for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of promoting and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural resources of our National Parks for the enjoyment of present and future generations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the National Park Service Centennial Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Purpose. Sec. 3. Definitions. Title I—NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE FUND Sec. 101. National Park Centennial Challenge Fund. Sec. 102. Comparable pass cost for seniors. Sec. 103. Signature projects and programs. Sec. 104. Donations. Sec. 105. Summary to Congress. Title II—NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT Sec. 201. Short title. Sec. 202. Second century endowment for the National Park Service. Title III—NATIONAL PARK NEXT GENERATION STEWARDS Sec. 301. National Park Service interpretation and education. Sec. 302. Public Land Corps amendments. Sec. 303. Volunteers in the parks. Title IV—NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION AUTHORITIES Sec. 401. Board of directors. Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations. Title V—Miscellaneous Sec. 501. National Historic Preservation Act. 2. Purpose It is the purpose of this Act to establish a fund in the Treasury to finance signature projects and programs to enhance the National Park System as it approaches its centennial in 2016 and to prepare the parks for another century of conservation, preservation, and enjoyment. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Challenge fund The term Challenge Fund (2) Director The term Director (3) Endowment The term Endowment (4) Secretary The term Secretary (5) Signature project or program The term signature project or program (6) Qualified donation The term qualified donation I NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE FUND 101. National Park Centennial Challenge Fund (a) Establishment There is hereby established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund (1) qualified donations that are transferred from the National Park Service donation account in accordance with section 104(a); and (2) hereafter, an amount equal to the qualified donations received under section 104(a), not to exceed amounts accumulated under section 102, including any carryover from previous fiscal years. (b) Availability All amounts transferred or appropriated to the Challenge Fund shall be available to the Secretary for signature projects and programs, without further appropriation, until expended. 102. Comparable pass cost for seniors The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act ( 16 U.S.C. 6801 Public Law 108–447 (1) by striking The Secretary (A) The Secretary (2) by striking , at a cost of $10.00, (3) by striking shall be valid for the lifetime of the pass holder. shall be available— (i) for a period of 12 months from the date of the issuance, at a cost of $20; and (ii) for the lifetime of the passholder, at a cost equal to the cost of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass purchased under subsection (a). ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (B) Amounts in excess of $10 that are charged by the National Park Service for a pass under subparagraph (A)(i) shall be deposited in the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund established under section 101(a) of the National Park Service Centennial Act. . 103. Signature projects and programs (a) List The Secretary shall— (1) develop a list of signature projects and programs eligible for funding from the Challenge Fund; and (2) submit the list developed under paragraph (1) (and updated under subsection (b)) to the Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. (b) Updates The Secretary may, from time to time as the Secretary finds appropriate, add any signature project or program to the list and provide notice of such addition as required by subsection (a). 104. Donations (a) Qualified donations The Secretary may transfer to the Challenge Fund any qualified donation received by the National Park Service. (b) Solicitation Nothing in this title shall be construed to expand the authority of the National Park Service and its employees to receive or solicit donations. 105. Summary to Congress The Secretary shall provide with the submission of the President’s budget a summary of the status and funding of the signature projects and programs. II NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT 201. Short title This title may be cited as the National Park Foundation Endowment Act 202. Second century endowment for the National Park Service (a) Second century endowment Chapter 1011 101121. Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service (a) Second century endowment To further the mission of the Service, the National Park Foundation shall establish a special account to be known as the Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service (1) Funds for the endowment (A) The Endowment shall consist of any gifts, devises, or bequests that are provided to the National Park Foundation for such purpose. (B) The National Park Foundation shall deposit any funds received for the Endowment in a federally insured interest-bearing account or may invest funds in appropriate security obligations, as directed by the Board of Directors. (C) (i) The Secretary shall, either directly or through a concessions contract, lease, or similar instrument, impose a fee in a System unit in addition to the daily cost of lodging in facilities in that System unit. Amounts collected under this clause shall be deposited into the Endowment. (ii) The Secretary shall ensure that a fee imposed under this subparagraph in a System unit does not raise the aggregate amount of fees imposed by local, State, and Federal governments to more than 5 percent of the base daily cost of lodging in facilities in that System unit. (iii) No fees may be charged under this subparagraph within a unit of the National Park System for— (I) employees of the National Park System, including seasonal employees or employees of concessioners, who live in housing provided in a national park due to their employment and house guests of such employees; (II) persons engaged in residential educational and interpretive programs who are lodged in national park facilities while participating in these programs; and (III) lodging on private property within a unit of the National Park System. (D) Any accrued interest or dividends earned on funds received for the Endowment shall be added to the principal and form a part of the Endowment. (2) Use of funds (A) The National Park Foundation shall use funds deposited in the Endowment for projects and activities approved by the Secretary that further the mission and purposes of the Service. (B) In administering the Endowment each fiscal year, the National Park Foundation shall be guided by the District of Columbia Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act of 2007 (D.C. Code § 44–1631 et seq.), including section 44–1633 on expenditures. (C) No funds received for the Endowment shall be used by the National Park Foundation for administrative expenses of the Foundation, including for salaries, travel and transportation expenses, and other overhead expenses. (b) Summary Beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the National Park Foundation shall include with its annual report a summary of the status of the Endowment. The summary shall include— (1) a statement of the amounts deposited in the Endowment during the fiscal year; (2) the amount of the balance remaining in the Endowment at the end of the fiscal year; and (3) a description of the sums and purposes of the expenditures made from the Endowment for the fiscal year. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 1011 101121. Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service. . III NATIONAL PARK NEXT GENERATION STEWARDS 301. National Park Service interpretation and education (a) In general Title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 1007 the following: 1008 Education and Interpretation Sec. 100801. Purposes. 100802. Definitions. 100803. Interpretation and education authority. 100804. Interpretation and education evaluation and quality improvement. 100805. Improved use of partners and volunteers in interpretation and education. 100801. Purposes The purposes of this chapter are— (1) to more effectively achieve the mission of the Service by providing clear authority and direction for interpretation and education programs that are carried out by the Service under separate authorities; (2) to ensure that the public encounters a variety of interpretive and educational opportunities and services during their visits to our System units; (3) to recognize that the Service provides lifelong learning opportunities and contributes to interdisciplinary learning in traditional and non-traditional educational settings; and (4) to provide opportunities for all people to find relevance in the System and to strengthen public understanding of our natural and cultural heritage. 100802. Definitions As used in this chapter: (1) Interpretation The term interpretation (A) means providing opportunities for people to form intellectual and emotional connections to gain awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the resources of the System; and (B) may refer to the professional career field of Service employees, volunteers, and partners who interpret the resources of the System. (2) Education The term education (3) Related areas The term related areas (A) national wild and scenic rivers and national trails; (B) national heritage areas; and (C) affiliated areas administered in connection with the System. 100803. Interpretation and education authority The Secretary shall ensure that management of System units and related areas is enhanced by the availability and use of a broad program of the highest quality interpretation and education. 100804. Interpretation and education evaluation and quality improvement The Secretary may undertake a program of regular evaluation of interpretation and education programs to ensure that they— (1) adjust to how people learn and engage with the natural world and shared heritage as embodied in the System; (2) reflect different cultural backgrounds, ages, education, gender, abilities, ethnicity, and needs; (3) demonstrate innovative approaches to management and appropriately incorporate emerging learning and communications technology; and (4) reflect current scientific and academic research, content, methods, and audience analysis. 100805. Improved use of partners and volunteers in interpretation and education The Secretary may— (1) coordinate with park partners and volunteers in the delivery of quality programs and services to supplement those provided by the Service as part of a park’s Long Range Interpretive Plan; (2) support interpretive partners by providing opportunities to participate in interpretive training; and (3) collaborate with other Federal and non-Federal public or private agencies, organizations, or institutions for the purposes of developing, promoting, and making available educational opportunities related to resources of the System and programs. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of chapters at the beginning of title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 1007 the following new item: 1008. Education and Interpretation 100801 . 302. Public Land Corps amendments The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 ( Public Law 103–82 16 U.S.C. 1721 (1) in section 203(10)(A), by striking 25 30 (2) in section 204(b), by striking 25 30 (3) in section 207(c)(2), by striking 120 days 2 years 303. Volunteers in the parks Section 102301(d) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking not more than $7,000,000 not more than $10,000,000 IV NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION AUTHORITIES 401. Board of directors Chapter 1011 (1) in section 101112— (A) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: (a) Membership The National Park Foundation shall consist of a Board having as members no fewer than 6 private citizens of the United States appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary and the Director shall be non-voting members of the Board, ex officio. ; and (B) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) Chairman The Chairman shall be elected by the Board from its members for a two-year term. ; and (2) in section 101113(a)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Coordination with service Activities of the National Park Foundation under paragraph (1) shall be undertaken after consultation with the Director to ensure that those activities are consistent with the programs and policies of the Service. . 402. Authorization of appropriations (a) Authorization of appropriations Chapter 1011 101122. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023. (b) Requirement of advance payment The amount made available for a fiscal year under subsection (a) shall be provided to the National Park Foundation in an advance payment of the entire amount on October 1 of the fiscal year, or as soon as practicable thereafter. (c) Use of appropriated funds Amounts made available under subsection (a) shall be provided to the National Park Foundation for use for matching, on a 1-to-1 basis, contributions (whether in currency, services, or property) made to the Foundation. (d) Prohibition use for administrative expenses No Federal funds made available under subsection (a) shall be used by the National Park Foundation for administrative expenses of the Foundation, including for salaries, travel and transportation expenses, and other overhead expenses. (e) Prohibition use for investment The National Park Foundation shall not place Federal funds made available under subsection (a) into any fund that will be invested or earn interest in any way. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 1011 101122. Authorization of appropriations. . V Miscellaneous 501. National Historic Preservation Act (a) Additional member Section 304101(a) of title 54, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), (10), and (11) as paragraphs (9), (10), (11), and (12), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: (8) The General Chairman of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. . (b) Full-Time chairman Section 304101 of title 54, United States Code, is further amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Chairman (1) After January 20, 2017, the Chairman shall— (A) be appointed by the President; (B) serve at the will of the President; (C) serve full time; and (D) be compensated at the rate provided for Level V of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates ( 5 U.S.C. 5316 (2) The Chairman shall serve for a term of 4 years and may be reappointed once, for a total of not more than 8 years of service as Chairman, except that a Chairman whose appointment has expired under this paragraph shall serve until his or her successor has been appointed. The term of a Chairman shall start (regardless of actual appointment date) on January 20 after each general Presidential election. The first Chairman appointed after the date of enactment of this paragraph shall have a first term commencing on January 20, 2017, and ending on January 19, 2021. (3) The Chairmen before the first appointment of a Chairman in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive $100 per diem when engaged in the performance of the duties of the Council, and shall receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of the duties of the Council. ; and (3) in subsection (f) (as redesignated), by striking may act in place shall perform the functions (c) Conforming changes (1) Section 304101 of title 54, United States Code, is further amended— (A) in subsection (b), by striking , (7), and (8) and (7) through (9) (B) in subsection (c)— (i) by striking under paragraphs (1) and (9) to (11) under paragraphs (10) through (12) (ii) by striking An appointed member may not serve more than 2 terms An appointed member, other than the Chairman of the Council, may not serve more than 2 terms (C) in subsection (f) (as redesignated), by striking paragraph (5), (6), (9), or (10) paragraph (5), (6), (10), or (11) (D) in subsection (g) (as redesignated), by striking Twelve members Thirteen members (2) Section 304104 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: The Chairman of the Council shall be compensated as provided in subsection (e) of section 304101. (3) Section 304105(a) of title 54, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking report directly to the Council report directly to the Chairman (B) by striking duties as the Council may prescribe duties as the Chairman may prescribe (4) Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. (d) Clarification Subsection (b) and subsection (d) of section 311103 of title 54, United States Code, are amended by striking Council Chairman of the Council May 19, 2016 Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources May 19, 2016 The Committees on Agriculture Education and the Workforce

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 10, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.) National Park Service Centennial Act TITLE I--NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE FUND (Sec. 101) This bill establishes the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund to finance signature projects and programs to enhance the National Park System. All amounts received from sales by the National Park Service (NPS) of National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes that exceed $10 million shall be deposited into the Challenge Fund as offsetting collections and shall remain available until expended. Funds collected and deposited into the Challenge Fund: shall be used for projects or programs approved by Interior to further the mission of the NPS and to enhance visitor experience in system units; may not be used for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands; and may only be used if matched, on at least a 1-to-1 basis, by nonfederal donations (including funds and fairly valued durable goods and materials) to the NPS for signature projects or programs. Interior shall: develop a list of signature projects and programs eligible for funding from the Challenge Fund; submit such list to Congress; and prioritize deferred maintenance projects, physical improvements to visitor services facilities, and trail maintenance. Interior may periodically add any signature project or program to the list and notify Congress of such addition. Interior shall provide, with the President's annual budget submission, a summary of the status and funding of signature projects and programs. (Sec. 102) Interior (for a federal land management agency) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) (for the Forest Service) shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available to any U.S. citizen or person residing in the United States who is 62 years of age or older for: a period of 12 months from the date of issuance at a cost of $20; and the lifetime of the passholder at a cost (currently $10) equal to the cost of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. The bill requires Interior and USDA to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available for no additional cost, if the individual provides evidence that he or she has purchased a 12-month pass for each of the four previous years. TITLE II--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT National Park Foundation Endowment Act (Sec. 202) The National Park Foundation shall establish the Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service as a special account. With respect to the endowment: $10 million shall be deposited into it from amounts received from the sales of Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and in addition to deposits otherwise authorized, it shall consist of any gifts, devises, or bequests provided to the National Park Foundation. Funds in the endowment shall be made available to the National Park Foundation as offsetting collections for projects and activities approved by Interior that further the NPS mission and purposes. Gifts, devises, or bequests in the endowment and any accrued interest or dividends earned thereon, shall be available to the National Park Foundation for such projects and activities. No federal funds received for the endowment may be used by the National Park Foundation for administrative expenses. TITLE III--NATIONAL PARK NEXT GENERATION STEWARDS (Sec. 301) Interior shall ensure that management of system units and related areas is enhanced by the availability and use of a broad program of the highest quality interpretation and education. Interior may undertake a program of regular evaluation of interpretation and education programs to ensure that they: adjust to how people learn and engage with the natural world and shared heritage as embodied in the NPS; reflect different cultural backgrounds, ages, education, gender, abilities, ethnicity, and needs; demonstrate innovative approaches to management and incorporate emerging learning and communications technology; and reflect current scientific and academic research, content, methods, and audience analysis. Interior may: coordinate with park partners and volunteers in the delivery of quality programs and services to supplement those provided by the NPS as part of a park's Long Range Interpretive Plan; support interpretive partners by providing opportunities to participate in interpretive training; and collaborate with other organizations to develop, promote, and make available educational opportunities related to resources of the system and programs. (Sec. 302) The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 is amended to: (1) increase from 25 to 30 the age limit for Public Lands Corps participants, and (2) extend from 120 days to 2 years the period during which noncompetitive hiring status may be given to a former corps participant. (Sec. 303) The bill increases funding for the Volunteers-In-Parks Program. TITLE IV--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION AUTHORITIES (Sec. 401) The Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the National Park Foundation shall be non-voting, ex officio members of the Foundation Board (currently, the Secretary and the Director are voting members). The Chairman of the board shall be elected by the board from among its members for a two-year term. (Currently, the Secretary shall be the Board Chairman and the Director shall be Board Secretary.) Activities of the National Park Foundation to solicit, accept, administer, and use any gifts, devises, or bequests for the benefit of, or in connection with, the NPS, shall be undertaken after consultation with the Director to ensure that these activities are consistent with NPS programs and policies. (Sec. 402) The bill reauthorizes the National Park Foundation through FY2023. Amounts made available under such reauthorization: may be advanced each fiscal year to the National Park Foundation in a lump sum without regard as to when expenses are incurred, and shall be provided to the National Park Foundation for use to match contributions made to the Foundation. No funds made available under such reauthorization may be used by the National Park Foundation for administrative expenses. Nor may the foundation deposit such funds into any fund that will be invested or earn interest in any way. TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS (Sec. 501) The bill adds the General Chairman of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers to the membership of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. After January 20, 2017, the council chairman shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, serve at the President's will, serve full time, and be compensated at the rate for Level V of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates. The chairman shall serve for a four-year term and may be reappointed once, for a total of up to eight years of service. The term of a chairman shall start on January 20 after each general presidential election. The council chairmen, before the first appointment of a chairman in accordance with this bill, shall receive $100 per diem when engaged in the performance of council duties, and shall receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in their performance. (Sec. 502) Interior may propose to amend the terms of an existing concessions contract to provide new and additional services where they are determined necessary and appropriate for public use and enjoyment of the system unit in which they are located and are highly consistent with the preservation and conservation of the unit's resources and values. These new and additional services shall not represent a material change to the required and authorized services as set forth in the applicable prospectus or contract. TITLE VI--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO NATIONAL PARK AND PROGRAM LAWS (Sec. 601) The bill adjusts the amounts of acreage for those lands within the Lava Beds National Monument in California known as the Black Lava and Schonchin Lava Flows. TITLE VII--VISITOR EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORITY (Sec. 701) Interior may award and administer commercial services contracts (and related professional services contracts) for the operation and expansion of commercial visitor facilities and visitor services programs in system units. The contracts that may be awarded shall be limited to those that are necessary and appropriate for public use and enjoyment of the system unit in which they are located, and that are consistent with the preservation and conservation of the unit's resources and values. Such contracts may be awarded without regard to federal laws and regulations governing procurement by federal agencies, except for those related to federal government contracts governing working conditions and wage rates, including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), specified sections of the Davis-Bacon Act, and any civil rights provisions otherwise applicable to the ANILCA and such sections of the Davis-Bacon Act. Interior may issue a commercial services contract under this section when the contract meets the objectives of expanding, modernizing, and improving the condition of commercial visitor facilities and the services provided to visitors. No contract may be awarded under this section: for providing outfitter and guide services as described in specified federal law, or to authorize the provision of facilities or services for which Interior has granted a preferential right of renewal to an existing concessioner. Interior shall award commercial services contracts through a competitive selection process. Before awarding a new contract, Interior shall publicly solicit proposals for such contract, and in connection with such solicitation, Interior shall prepare a request for proposals and publish a notice of its availability. A commercial services contract entered into pursuant to this title shall be awarded for a term not exceeding 10 years. The bill states that a person or entity awarded a contract under this section shall not receive any leasehold surrender interest in capital improvements constructed under the terms of that contract. The bill establishes a revolving fund which shall be available to Interior for: expenses necessary for the management, improvement, enhancement, operation, construction, and maintenance of commercial visitor services and facilities; and payment of possessory interest and leasehold surrender interest. Funds collected by Interior pursuant to contracts awarded under this section shall be credited to the revolving fund. Interior is authorized to transfer to the revolving fund, without reimbursement, any additional funds or revenue generated in connection with the functions to be carried out under this section. Interior shall use amounts in the revolving fund to further this title's purposes. Nor may funds from such fund be used to decrease the availability of services and programs to the public. The bill states that the authority given to Interior under this section shall expire seven years after enactment of this section. TITLE VIII--NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION AMENDMENTS ACT National Historic Preservation Amendments Act (Sec. 802) The bill extends the Historic Preservation Fund through FY2023. Interior may accept nominations by federal agencies for the inclusion of properties on the National Register of Historic Places only in accordance with the nomination requirements described by this bill.