138 
(B) include an opportunity for public no-
tice and comment; 
(C) emphasize increased recreation opportu-
nities 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 Fed-
eral Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation shall up-
date the strategy and make public the update. 
SEC. 225. RECREATION RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 
Section 804(d) of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement 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 
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(B) after subclause (III), by inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(IV) Veterans organizations, as 
such term is defined in section 201of 
the EXPLORE Act.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (8) by striking ‘‘Eight’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Six’’. 
SEC. 226. 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 con-
sultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Veterans’ Employment and Training and the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a pilot pro-
gram under which veterans are employed by the Fed-
eral Government in positions that relate to the con-
servation and resource management activities of the 
Department of the Interior. 
(2) POSITIONS.—The Secretary shall— 
(A) identify vacant positions in the Depart-
ment of the Interior that are appropriate to fill 
using the pilot program; and 
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(B) to the extent practicable, fill such posi-
tions 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 title, 
the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of 
Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training 
shall jointly provide to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a briefing on the pilot pro-
gram under this subsection, which shall in-
clude— 
(i) a description of how the pilot pro-
gram will be carried out in a manner to re-
duce the unemployment of veterans; and 
(ii) any recommendations for legisla-
tive 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 
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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 congres-
sional committees a report on the pilot program 
that includes the following: 
(i) The number of veterans who ap-
plied to participate in the pilot program. 
(ii) The number of such veterans em-
ployed 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 Sec-
retary and the Assistant Secretary of Labor 
for Veterans’ Employment and Training de-
termine appropriate with respect to meas-
uring the effectiveness of the pilot program. 
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(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 DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 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 stew-
ardship or guided outdoor recreation. 
Subtitle C—Youth Access 
SEC. 231. INCREASING YOUTH RECREATION VISITS TO FED-
ERAL LAND. 
(a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries, acting jointly, 
shall develop and make public a strategy to increase the 
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number of youth recreation visits to Federal recreational 
lands and waters. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—A strategy developed under sub-
section (a)— 
(1) shall— 
(A) emphasize increased recreation opportu-
nities on Federal recreational lands and waters 
for underserved youth; 
(B) establish objectives and quantifiable tar-
gets for increasing youth recreation visits; and 
(C) provide the anticipated costs to achieve 
the objectives and meet the targets established 
under subparagraph (B); 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 Sec-
retaries shall update the strategy and make public the up-
date. 
(d) AGREEMENTS.—The Secretaries may enter into 
contracts or cost-share agreements (including contracts or 
agreements for the acquisition of vehicles) to carry out this 
section. 
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SEC. 232. EVERY KID OUTDOORS ACT EXTENSION. 
Section 9001(b) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conserva-
tion, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116– 
9) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘during the 
period beginning on September 1 and ending on Au-
gust 31 of the following year’’ and inserting ‘‘for a 
12-month period that begins on a date determined by 
the Secretaries’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘the date that 
is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act’’ and 
inserting ‘‘September 30, 2031’’. 
TITLE 
III—SIMPLIFYING 
OUT-
DOOR ACCESS FOR RECRE-
ATION 
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COMMERCIAL
USE
AUTHORIZATION.—The 
term ‘‘commercial use authorization’’ means a com-
mercial use authorization to provide services to visi-
tors to units of the National Park System under sub-
chapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54, United States 
Code. 
(2) 
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL
TRIP.—The 
term 
‘‘multijurisdictional trip’’ means a trip that— 
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(A) uses 2 or more units of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters; and 
(B) is under the jurisdiction of 2 or more 
Federal land management agencies. 
(3) RECREATION SERVICE PROVIDER.—The term 
‘‘recreation service provider’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amend-
ed by section 311). 
(4) SPECIAL
RECREATION
PERMIT.—The term 
‘‘special recreation permit’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation 
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by 
section 311). 
(5) VISITOR-USE
DAY.—The term ‘‘visitor-use 
day’’ means a visitor-use day, user day, launch, or 
other metric used by the Secretary concerned for pur-
poses of authorizing use under a special recreation 
permit. 
Subtitle A—Modernizing Recreation 
Permitting 
SEC. 311. SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT AND FEE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 802 of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) is amend-
ed— 
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(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 3(f)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 803(f)’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 3(g)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 803(g)’’; 
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 
(5) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘section 5’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 805’’; 
(6) in paragraph (12), by striking ‘‘section 7’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 807’’; 
(7) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘section 3(h)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 803(h)(2)’’; 
(8) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (3), (4), 
(5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (13) as para-
graphs (15), (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (11), (10), 
and (14), respectively, and arranging the paragraphs 
(as so redesignated) to appear in numerical order; 
(9) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redes-
ignated) the following: 
‘‘(9) RECREATION
SERVICE
PROVIDER.—The 
term ‘recreation service provider’ means a person that 
provides recreational services to the public under a 
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special recreation permit under clause (iii) or (iv) of 
paragraph (13)(A).’’; 
(10) by inserting after paragraph (12) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(13) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘special recre-
ation permit’ means a permit issued by a Fed-
eral land management agency for the use of Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters— 
‘‘(i) for a specialized recreational use 
not described in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), 
such as— 
‘‘(I) an organizational camp; 
‘‘(II) a single event that does not 
require an entry or participation fee 
that is not strictly a sharing of ex-
penses for the purposes of the event; 
and 
‘‘(III) participation by the public 
in a recreation activity or recreation 
use of a specific area of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters in which 
use by the public is allocated; 
‘‘(ii) for a large-group activity or event 
of 75 participants or more; 
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‘‘(iii) for— 
‘‘(I) at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, a single organized group recre-
ation activity or event (including an 
activity or event in which motorized 
recreational vehicles are used or in 
which outfitting and guiding services 
are used) that— 
‘‘(aa) is a structured or 
scheduled event or activity; 
‘‘(bb) is not competitive and 
is for fewer than 75 participants; 
‘‘(cc) may charge an entry or 
participation fee; 
‘‘(dd) involves fewer than 200 
visitor-use days; and 
‘‘(ee) is undertaken or pro-
vided by the recreation service 
provider at the same site not more 
frequently than 3 times a year; 
‘‘(II) a single competitive event; 
or 
‘‘(III) at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, a recurring organized group 
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recreation activity (including an out-
fitting and guiding activity) that— 
‘‘(aa) is a structured or 
scheduled activity; 
‘‘(bb) is not competitive; 
‘‘(cc) may charge a partici-
pation fee; 
‘‘(dd) occurs in a group size 
of fewer than 7 participants; 
‘‘(ee) involves fewer than 40 
visitor-use days; and 
‘‘(ff) is undertaken or pro-
vided by the recreation service 
provider for a term of not more 
than 180 days; or 
‘‘(iv) for— 
‘‘(I) a recurring outfitting, guid-
ing, or, at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, other recreation service, the au-
thorization for which is for a term of 
not more than 10 years; or 
‘‘(II) a recurring outfitting, guid-
ing, or, at the discretion of the Sec-
retary, other recreation service, that oc-
curs under a temporary special recre-
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150 
ation permit authorized under section 
316 of the EXPLORE Act. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘special recre-
ation permit’ does not include— 
‘‘(i) a concession contract for the provi-
sion of accommodations, facilities, or serv-
ices; 
‘‘(ii) a commercial use authorization 
issued under section 101925 of title 54, 
United States Code; or 
‘‘(iii) any other type of permit, includ-
ing a special use permit administered by 
the National Park Service.’’; and 
(11) by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘(16) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, and each 
territory of the United States.’’. 
(b) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.—Sec-
tion 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(16 U.S.C. 6802) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘section 
4(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 804(d)’’; and 
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(3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(h) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.— 
‘‘(1) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS.— 
‘‘(A) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary— 
‘‘(i) may develop and make available 
to the public an application to obtain a spe-
cial recreation permit described in clause 
(i) of section 802(13)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) shall develop and make available 
to the public an application to obtain a spe-
cial recreation permit described in each of 
clauses 
(ii) 
through 
(iv) 
of 
section 
802(13)(A). 
‘‘(B) ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.—On review of 
a completed application developed under sub-
paragraph (A), as applicable, and a determina-
tion by the Secretary that the applicant is eligi-
ble for the special recreation permit, the Sec-
retary may issue to the applicant a special 
recreation permit, subject to any terms and con-
ditions that are determined to be necessary by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) INCIDENTAL SALES.—A special recre-
ation permit issued under this paragraph may 
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include an authorization for sales that are inci-
dental in nature to the permitted use of the Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters, except where 
otherwise prohibited by law. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
charge a special recreation permit fee for the 
issuance of a special recreation permit in ac-
cordance with this paragraph. 
‘‘(B) PREDETERMINED
SPECIAL
RECRE-
ATION PERMIT FEES.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—For purposes of 
subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this para-
graph, the Secretary shall establish and 
may charge a predetermined fee, described 
in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, for a 
special recreation permit described in clause 
(iii) or (iv) of section 802(13)(A) for a spe-
cific type of use on a unit of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters, consistent with 
the criteria set forth in clause (iii) of this 
subparagraph. 
‘‘(ii) TYPE OF FEE.—A predetermined 
fee described in clause (i) shall be— 
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‘‘(I) a fixed fee that is assessed 
per special recreation permit, includ-
ing a fee with an associated size limi-
tation or other criteria as determined 
to be appropriate by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(II) an amount assessed per vis-
itor-use day. 
‘‘(iii) CRITERIA.—A predetermined fee 
under clause (i) shall— 
‘‘(I) have been established before 
the date of the enactment of the EX-
PLORE Act; 
‘‘(II) be established after the date 
of the enactment of the EXPLORE Act, 
in accordance with subsection (b); 
‘‘(III)(aa) be established after the 
date of the enactment of the EX-
PLORE Act; and 
‘‘(bb) be comparable to an amount 
described in subparagraph (D)(ii) or 
(E)(ii), as applicable; or 
‘‘(IV) beginning on the date that 
is 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of the EXPLORE Act, be $6 per 
visitor-use day in instances in which 
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the Secretary has not established a pre-
determined fee under subclause (I), 
(II), or (III). 
‘‘(C) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR SPECIAL-
IZED
RECREATIONAL
USES
AND
LARGE-GROUP 
ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS.—The Secretary may, at 
the discretion of the Secretary, establish and 
charge a fee for a special recreation permit de-
scribed in clause (i) or (ii) of section 802(13)(A). 
‘‘(D) CALCULATION OF FEES FOR SINGLE 
ORGANIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITIES OR 
EVENTS, COMPETITIVE EVENTS, AND CERTAIN RE-
CURRING
ORGANIZED
GROUP
RECREATION
AC-
TIVITIES.—If the Secretary elects to charge a fee 
for a special recreation permit described in sec-
tion 802(13)(A)(iii), the Secretary shall charge 
the recreation service provider, based on the elec-
tion of the recreation service provider— 
‘‘(i) the applicable predetermined fee 
established under subparagraph (B); or 
‘‘(ii) an amount equal to a percentage 
of, to be determined by the Secretary, but to 
not to exceed 5 percent of, adjusted gross re-
ceipts calculated under subparagraph (F). 
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‘‘(E) CALCULATION
OF
FEES
FOR
TEM-
PORARY PERMITS AND LONG-TERM PERMITS.— 
Subject to subparagraph (G), if the Secretary 
elects to charge a fee for a special recreation per-
mit described in section 802(13)(A)(iv), the Sec-
retary shall charge the recreation service pro-
vider, based on the election of the recreation serv-
ice provider— 
‘‘(i) the applicable predetermined fee 
established under subparagraph (B); or 
‘‘(ii) an amount equal to a percentage 
of, to be determined by the Secretary, but 
not to exceed 3 percent of, adjusted gross re-
ceipts calculated under subparagraph (F). 
‘‘(F) ADJUSTED GROSS RECEIPTS.—For the 
purposes of subparagraphs (D)(ii) and (E)(ii), 
the Secretary shall calculate the adjusted gross 
receipts collected for each trip or event author-
ized under a special recreation permit, using ei-
ther of the following calculations, based on the 
election of the recreation service provider: 
‘‘(i) The sum of— 
‘‘(I) the product obtained by mul-
tiplying— 
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‘‘(aa) the general amount 
paid by participants of the trip or 
event to the recreation service pro-
vider for the applicable trip or 
event (excluding amounts related 
to goods, souvenirs, merchandise, 
gear, and additional food pro-
vided or sold by the recreation 
service provider); and 
‘‘(bb) the quotient obtained 
by dividing— 
‘‘(AA) the number of 
days of the trip or event that 
occurred 
on 
Federal 
rec-
reational lands and waters 
covered by the special recre-
ation permit, rounded to the 
nearest whole day; by 
‘‘(BB) the total number 
of days of the trip or event; 
and 
‘‘(II) the amount of any addi-
tional revenue received by the recre-
ation service provider for an add-on 
activity or an optional excursion that 
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157 
occurred on the Federal recreational 
lands and waters covered by the special 
recreation permit. 
‘‘(ii) The difference between— 
‘‘(I) the total cost paid by the 
participants of the trip or event for the 
trip or event to the recreation service 
provider, including any additional rev-
enue received by the recreation service 
provider for an add-on activity or an 
optional excursion that occurred on the 
Federal recreational lands and waters 
covered by the special recreation per-
mit; and 
‘‘(II) the sum of— 
‘‘(aa) the amount of any rev-
enues from goods, souvenirs, mer-
chandise, gear, and additional 
food provided or sold by the recre-
ation service provider to the par-
ticipants of the applicable trip or 
event; 
‘‘(bb) the amount of any costs 
or revenues from services and ac-
tivities provided or sold by the 
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158 
recreation service provider to the 
participants of the trip or event 
that occurred in a location other 
than 
the 
Federal 
recreational 
lands and waters covered by the 
special recreation permit (includ-
ing costs for travel and lodging 
outside the Federal recreational 
lands and waters covered by the 
special recreation permit); and 
‘‘(cc) the amount of any reve-
nues from any service provided by 
a recreation service provider for 
an 
activity 
on 
Federal 
rec-
reational lands and waters that is 
not covered by the special recre-
ation permit. 
‘‘(G) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding sub-
paragraph (E), the Secretary may charge a 
recreation service provider a minimum annual 
fee for a special recreation permit described in 
section 802(13)(A)(iv). 
‘‘(H) SAVINGS CLAUSES.— 
‘‘(i) EFFECT.—Nothing in this para-
graph affects any fee for— 
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‘‘(I) a concession contract admin-
istered by the National Park Service or 
the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service for the provision of accom-
modations, facilities, or services; or 
‘‘(II) a commercial use authoriza-
tion or special use permit for use of 
Federal recreational lands and waters 
managed by the National Park Service. 
‘‘(ii) COST
RECOVERY.—Nothing in 
this paragraph affects the ability of the Sec-
retary to recover any administrative costs 
under section 320 of the EXPLORE Act. 
‘‘(iii) SPECIAL
RECREATION
PERMIT 
FEES AND OTHER RECREATION FEES.—The 
collection of a special recreation permit fee 
under this paragraph shall not affect the 
authority of the Secretary to collect an en-
trance fee, a standard amenity recreation 
fee, or an expanded amenity recreation fee 
authorized under subsections (e), (f), and 
(g). 
‘‘(i) DISCLOSURE OF RECREATION FEES AND USE OF 
RECREATION FEES.— 
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‘‘(1) NOTICE
OF
ENTRANCE
FEES, STANDARD 
AMENITY
RECREATION
FEES, EXPANDED
AMENITY 
RECREATION
FEES, 
AND
AVAILABLE
RECREATION 
PASSES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
post clear notice of any entrance fee, standard 
amenity recreation fee, expanded amenity recre-
ation fee, and available recreation passes— 
‘‘(i) at appropriate locations in each 
unit or area of Federal recreational land 
and waters at which an entrance fee, stand-
ard amenity recreation fee, or expanded 
amenity recreation fee is charged; and 
‘‘(ii) on the appropriate website for 
such unit or area. 
‘‘(B) PUBLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall 
include in publications distributed at a unit or 
area or described in subparagraph (A) the notice 
described in that subparagraph. 
‘‘(2) NOTICE OF USES OF RECREATION FEES.— 
Beginning on January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall 
annually post, at the location at which a recreation 
fee described in paragraph (1)(A) is collected, clear 
notice of— 
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‘‘(A) the total recreation fees collected dur-
ing each of the 2 preceding fiscal years at the re-
spective unit or area of the Federal land man-
agement agency; and 
‘‘(B) each use during the preceding fiscal 
year of the applicable recreation fee or recreation 
pass revenues collected under this section. 
‘‘(3) NOTICE OF RECREATION FEE PROJECTS.— 
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall post 
clear notice at the location at which work is per-
formed using recreation fee and recreation pass reve-
nues collected under this section. 
‘‘(4) CENTRALIZED
REPORTING
ON
AGENCY 
WEBSITES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 
1, 2025, and not later than 60 days after the be-
ginning of each fiscal year thereafter, the Sec-
retary shall post on the website of the applicable 
Federal land management agency a searchable 
list of each use during the preceding fiscal year 
of the recreation fee or recreation pass revenues 
collected under this section. 
‘‘(B) LIST COMPONENTS.—The list required 
under subparagraph (A) shall include, with re-
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spect to each use described in that subpara-
graph— 
‘‘(i) a title and description of the over-
all project; 
‘‘(ii) a title and description for each 
component of the project; 
‘‘(iii) the location of the project; and 
‘‘(iv) the amount obligated for the 
project. 
‘‘(5) NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS.—A recreation serv-
ice provider may inform a customer of the recreation 
service provider of any fee charged by the Secretary 
under this section.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 804 of the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6803) is amended by striking subsection (e). 
(d) USE
OF SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT REV-
ENUE.—Section 808 of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6807) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘this title’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
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(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘6(a) 
or a visitor reservation service.’’ and inserting 
‘‘806(a) or a visitor reservation service;’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) the processing of special recreation 
permit applications and administration of spe-
cial recreation permits; and 
‘‘(H) the improvement of the operation of 
the special recreation permit program under sec-
tion 803(h).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 
5(a)(7)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 805(a)(7)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 
5(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 805(d)’’. 
(e) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 810 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2031’’. 
SEC. 312. PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To simplify the process of the 
issuance and or reissuance of special recreation permits and 
reduce the cost of administering special recreation permits 
under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title), 
the Secretaries shall each— 
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(1) during the period beginning on January 1, 
2021, and ending on January 1, 2025— 
(A) evaluate the process for issuing special 
recreation permits; and 
(B) based on the evaluation under subpara-
graph (A), identify opportunities to— 
(i) eliminate duplicative processes with 
respect to issuing special recreation permits; 
(ii) reduce costs for the issuance of spe-
cial recreation permits; 
(iii) decrease processing times for spe-
cial recreation permits; and 
(iv) issue simplified special recreation 
permits, including special recreation per-
mits for an organized group recreation ac-
tivity or event under subsection (e); and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date on which 
the Secretaries complete their respective evaluation 
and identification processes under paragraph (1), re-
vise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations and 
guidance documents, including regulations and guid-
ance documents relating to the environmental review 
process, for special recreation permits to implement 
the improvements identified under paragraph (1)(B). 
(b) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall, 
to the maximum extent practicable, utilize available 
tools, including tiering to existing programmatic re-
views, as appropriate, to facilitate an effective and ef-
ficient environmental review process for activities un-
dertaken by the Secretary concerned relating to the 
issuance of special recreation permits. 
(2) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.—Not later than 
2 years after the date of the enactment of this title, 
the Secretary concerned shall— 
(A) evaluate whether existing categorical ex-
clusions available to the Secretary concerned on 
the date of the enactment of this title are con-
sistent with the provisions of this title; 
(B) evaluate whether a modification of an 
existing categorical exclusion or the establish-
ment of 1 or more new categorical exclusions de-
veloped in compliance with the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.) is necessary to undertake an activity de-
scribed in paragraph (1) in a manner consistent 
with the authorities and requirements in this 
title; and 
(C) revise relevant agency regulations and 
policy statements and guidance documents, as 
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necessary, to modify existing categorical exclu-
sions or incorporate new categorical exclusions 
based on evaluations conducted under this para-
graph. 
(c) NEEDS ASSESSMENTS.—Except as required under 
subsection (c) or (d) of section 4 of the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1133), the Secretary concerned shall not conduct a 
needs assessment as a condition of issuing a special recre-
ation permit under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 
by this title). 
(d) ONLINE APPLICATIONS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries 
shall make the application for a special recreation permit 
under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recreation En-
hancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title), 
including a reissuance of a special recreation permit under 
that section, available for completion and submission— 
(1) online; 
(2) by mail or electronic mail; and 
(3) in person at the field office for the applicable 
Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(e) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS FOR AN ORGA-
NIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITY OR EVENT.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
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(A) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FOR AN 
ORGANIZED
GROUP
RECREATION
ACTIVITY
OR 
EVENT.—The term ‘‘special recreation permit for 
an organized group recreation activity or event’’ 
means a special recreation permit described in 
subclause (I) or (III) of paragraph (13)(A)(iii) 
of section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation 
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended 
by this title). 
(B) YOUTH
GROUP.—The term ‘‘youth 
group’’ means a recreation service provider that 
predominantly serves individuals not older than 
25 years of age. 
(2) EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN ALLOCATIONS OF 
USE.—If the Secretary concerned allocates visitor-use 
days available for an area or activity on Federal rec-
reational lands and waters among recreation service 
providers that hold a permit described in paragraph 
(13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amend-
ed by this title), a special recreation permit for an or-
ganized group recreation activity or event shall not be 
subject to that allocation of visitor-use days. 
(3) ISSUANCE.—In accordance with paragraphs 
(5) and (6), if use by the general public is not subject 
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to a limited entry permit system and if capacity is 
available for the times or days in which the proposed 
activity or event would be undertaken, on request of 
a recreation service provider (including a youth 
group) to conduct an organized group recreation ac-
tivity or event described in subclause (I) or (III) of 
paragraph (13)(A)(iii) of section 802 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) 
(as amended by this title), the Secretary concerned— 
(A) shall make a nominal effects determina-
tion to determine whether the proposed activity 
or event would have more than nominal effects 
on Federal recreational lands and waters, re-
sources, and programs; and 
(B)(i) shall not require a recreation service 
provider (including a youth group) to obtain a 
special recreation permit for an organized group 
recreation activity or event if the Secretary con-
cerned determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to be 
undertaken would have only nominal effects 
on Federal recreational lands and waters, 
resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or event 
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is not necessary to protect or avoid conflict 
on or with Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; 
(ii) in the case of an organized group recre-
ation activity or event described in section 
802(13)(A)(iii)(I) of that Act, may issue to a 
recreation service provider (including a youth 
group) a special recreation permit for an orga-
nized group recreation activity or event, subject 
to any terms and conditions as are determined 
to be appropriate by the Secretary concerned, if 
the Secretary concerned determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to be 
undertaken would have only nominal effects 
on Federal recreational lands and waters, 
resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or event 
is necessary to protect or avoid conflict on 
or with Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; 
(iii) in the case of an organized group 
recreation activity or event described in section 
802(13)(A)(iii)(III) of that Act, shall issue to a 
recreation service provider (including a youth 
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group) a special recreation permit for an orga-
nized group recreation activity or event, subject 
to such terms and conditions determined to be 
appropriate by the Secretary concerned, if the 
Secretary concerned determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to be 
undertaken would have only nominal effects 
on Federal recreational lands and waters, 
resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or event 
is necessary to protect or avoid conflict on 
or with Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; and 
(iv) may issue to a recreation service pro-
vider (including a youth group) a special recre-
ation permit for an organized group recreation 
activity or event, subject to any terms and condi-
tions determined to be appropriate by the Sec-
retary concerned, if the Secretary concerned de-
termines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to be 
undertaken may have more than nominal 
effects on Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, and programs; and 
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(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or event 
would be necessary to protect or avoid con-
flict on or with Federal recreational lands 
and waters, resources, and programs. 
(4) FEES.—The Secretary concerned may elect 
not to charge a fee to a recreation service provider 
(including a youth group) for a special recreation 
permit for an organized group recreation activity or 
event. 
(5) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub-
section prevents the Secretary concerned from lim-
iting or abating the allowance of a proposed activity 
or event under paragraph (3)(B)(i) or the issuance of 
a special recreation permit for an organized group 
recreation activity or event, based on resource condi-
tions, administrative burdens, or safety issues. 
(6) QUALIFICATIONS.—A special recreation per-
mit for an organized group recreation activity or 
event issued under paragraph (3) shall be subject to 
the health and safety standards required by the Sec-
retary concerned for a permit issued under paragraph 
(13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amend-
ed by this title). 
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