106 
HR 6492 RDS
(B) to assist in the development, imple-
mentation, or evaluation of a proposed pay-for- 
performance project or a pay-for-performance 
agreement; or 
(C) to assist with an environmental anal-
ysis of a proposed pay-for-performance project. 
(g) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall approve a record of decision, decision notice, or deci-
sion memo for any activities to be carried out on National 
Forest System land as part of a pay-for-performance 
project before the Secretary of Agriculture may enter into 
a pay-for-performance agreement involving the applicable 
pay-for-performance project. 
(h) DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) SUNSET.—The authority to enter into a 
pay-for-performance agreement under this section 
terminates on the date that is 7 years after the date 
of the enactment of this title. 
(2) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in paragraph 
(1) affects any pay-for-performance project agree-
ment entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture 
under this section before the date described in that 
paragraph. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00106
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
107 
HR 6492 RDS
SEC. 156. OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP 
PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means an entity or combination of entities that 
represents or otherwise serves a qualifying area. 
(2) ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.—The 
term ‘‘eligible nonprofit organization’’ means an or-
ganization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt 
from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code. 
(3) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means— 
(A) a State; 
(B) a political subdivision of a State, in-
cluding— 
(i) a city; 
(ii) a county; or 
(iii) a special purpose district that 
manages open space, including a park dis-
trict; and 
(C) an Indian Tribe, urban Indian organi-
zation, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 
community or organization. 
(4) LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘low- 
income community’’ has the same meaning given 
that term in 26 U.S.C. 45D(e)(1). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
108 
HR 6492 RDS
(5) OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNER-
SHIP
PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Outdoor Recreation 
Legacy Partnership Program’’ means the program 
codified under subsection (b)(1). 
(6) QUALIFYING AREA.—The term ‘‘qualifying 
area’’ means— 
(A) an urbanized area or urban cluster 
that has a population of 25,000 or more in the 
most recent census; 
(B) 2 or more adjacent urban clusters with 
a combined population of 25,000 or more in the 
most recent census; or 
(C) an area administered by an Indian 
Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 
community organization. 
(b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) CODIFICATION OF PROGRAM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—There is established an 
existing program, to be known as the ‘‘Outdoor 
Recreation 
Legacy 
Partnership 
Program’’, 
under which the Secretary may award grants to 
eligible entities for projects— 
(i) to acquire land and water for 
parks and other outdoor recreation pur-
poses in qualifying areas; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00108
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
109 
HR 6492 RDS
(ii) to develop new or renovate exist-
ing outdoor recreation facilities that pro-
vide outdoor recreation opportunities to the 
public in qualifying areas. 
(B) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants to eli-
gible entities under subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall give priority to projects that— 
(i) create or significantly enhance ac-
cess to park and recreational opportunities 
in a qualifying area; 
(ii) engage and empower low-income 
communities and youth; 
(iii) provide employment or job train-
ing opportunities for youth or low-income 
communities; 
(iv) establish or expand public-private 
partnerships, with a focus on leveraging re-
sources; and 
(v) take advantage of coordination 
among various levels of government. 
(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of re-
ceiving a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible 
entity shall provide matching funds in the form 
of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
110 
HR 6492 RDS
equal to not less than 100 percent of the 
amounts made available under the grant. 
(B) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.—Not 
more than 7 percent of funds provided to an eli-
gible entity under a grant awarded under para-
graph (1) may be used for administrative ex-
penses. 
(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In awarding grants to 
eligible entities under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall consider the extent to which a project would— 
(A) provide recreation opportunities in low- 
income communities in which access to parks is 
not adequate to meet local needs; 
(B) provide opportunities for outdoor 
recreation and public land volunteerism; 
(C) support innovative or cost-effective 
ways to enhance parks and other recreation— 
(i) opportunities; or 
(ii) delivery of services; 
(D) support park and recreation program-
ming provided by local governments, including 
cooperative agreements with community-based 
eligible nonprofit organizations; 
(E) develop Native American event sites 
and cultural gathering spaces; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
111 
HR 6492 RDS
(F) provide benefits such as community re-
silience, reduction of urban heat islands, en-
hanced water or air quality, or habitat for fish 
or wildlife; and 
(G) facilitate any combination of purposes 
listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F). 
(4) ELIGIBLE USES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), an eligible entity may use a grant 
awarded under paragraph (1) for a project de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) or (B) of that 
paragraph. 
(B) LIMITATIONS ON USE.—An eligible en-
tity may not use grant funds for— 
(i) incidental costs related to land ac-
quisition, including appraisal and titling; 
(ii) operation and maintenance activi-
ties; 
(iii) 
facilities 
that 
support 
semiprofessional or professional athletics; 
(iv) indoor facilities, such as recre-
ation centers or facilities that support pri-
marily nonoutdoor purposes; or 
(v) acquisition of land or interests in 
land that restrict public access. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
112 
HR 6492 RDS
(C) CONVERSION TO OTHER THAN PUBLIC 
OUTDOOR RECREATION USE.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—No property ac-
quired or developed with assistance under 
this section shall, without the approval of 
the Secretary, be converted to other than 
public outdoor recreation use. 
(ii) CONDITION FOR APPROVAL.—The 
Secretary shall approve a conversion only if 
the Secretary finds it to be in accordance 
with 
the 
then-existing 
comprehensive 
Statewide outdoor recreation plan and only 
on such conditions as the Secretary con-
siders necessary to ensure the substitution 
of other recreation properties of at least 
equal fair market value and of reasonably 
equivalent usefulness and location. 
(iii) WETLAND AREAS AND INTERESTS 
THEREIN.—Wetland areas and interests 
therein as identified in the wetlands provi-
sions of the comprehensive plan and pro-
posed to be acquired as suitable replace-
ment property within the same State that 
is otherwise acceptable to the Secretary, 
acting through the Director of the Na-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
113 
HR 6492 RDS
tional Park Service, shall be deemed to be 
of reasonably equivalent usefulness with 
the property proposed for conversion. 
(c) REVIEW AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS.—In 
carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership 
Program, the Secretary shall— 
(1) conduct an initial screening and technical 
review of applications received; 
(2) evaluate and score all qualifying applica-
tions; and 
(3) provide culturally and linguistically appro-
priate information to eligible entities (including low- 
income communities and eligible entities serving low- 
income communities) on— 
(A) the opportunity to apply for grants 
under this section; 
(B) the application procedures by which el-
igible entities may apply for grants under this 
section; and 
(C) eligible uses for grants under this sec-
tion. 
(d) REPORTING.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 30 days 
after the last day of each report period, each State- 
lead agency that receives a grant under this section 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00113
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
114 
HR 6492 RDS
shall annually submit to the Secretary performance 
and financial reports that— 
(A) summarize project activities conducted 
during the report period; and 
(B) provide the status of the project. 
(2) FINAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the earlier of the date of expiration of a project 
period or the completion of a project, each State- 
lead agency that receives a grant under this section 
shall submit to the Secretary a final report con-
taining such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
SEC. 157. AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION PROGRAM 
ENHANCEMENT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 308101 of title 54, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 308101. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary, acting through the American Battle-
field Protection Program. 
‘‘(2) BATTLEFIELD REPORTS.—The term ‘Bat-
tlefield Reports’ means, collectively— 
‘‘(A) the document entitled ‘Report on the 
Nation’s Civil War Battlefields’, prepared by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00114
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
115 
HR 6492 RDS
the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, and 
dated July 1993; and 
‘‘(B) the document entitled ‘Report to 
Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revo-
lutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the 
United States’, prepared by the National Park 
Service, and dated September 2007.’’. 
(b) 
PRESERVATION
ASSISTANCE.—Section 
308102(a) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘Federal’’ and all that follows through ‘‘organiza-
tions’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal agencies, States, Tribes, 
local governments, other public entities, educational insti-
tutions, and nonprofit organizations’’. 
(c) BATTLEFIELD LAND ACQUISITION GRANTS IM-
PROVEMENTS.—Section 308103 of title 54, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) ELIGIBLE SITE DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘eligible site’— 
‘‘(1) means a site that— 
‘‘(A) is not within the exterior boundaries 
of a unit of the National Park System; and 
‘‘(B) is identified in the Battlefield Reports 
as a battlefield; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00115
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
116 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(2) excludes sites identified in the Battlefield 
Reports as associated historic sites.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘State and 
local governments’’ and inserting ‘‘States, Tribes, 
local governments, and nonprofit organizations’’; 
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘State or local 
government’’ and inserting ‘‘State, Tribe, or local 
government’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘under this 
section’’ and inserting ‘‘under this section, including 
by States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofit 
organizations,’’. 
(d) BATTLEFIELD RESTORATION GRANTS IMPROVE-
MENTS.—Section 308105 of title 54, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a battlefield restoration grant program (referred to 
in this section as the ‘program’) under which the Secretary 
may provide grants to States, Tribes, local governments, 
and nonprofit organizations for projects that restore day- 
of-battle conditions on— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00116
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
117 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(1) land preserved and protected under the 
battlefield acquisition grant program established 
under section 308103(b); or 
‘‘(2) battlefield land that is— 
‘‘(A) owned by a State, Tribe, local govern-
ment, or nonprofit organization; and 
‘‘(B) referred to in the Battlefield Re-
ports.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE SITES.—The Secretary may make 
grants under this section for Revolutionary War, War of 
1812, and Civil War battlefield sites— 
‘‘(1) eligible for assistance under the battlefield 
acquisition grant program established under section 
308103(b); or 
‘‘(2) on battlefield land that is— 
‘‘(A) owned by a State, Tribe, local govern-
ment, or nonprofit organization; and 
‘‘(B) referred to in battlefield reports.’’. 
(e) UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS.—Chapter 3081 
of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00117
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
118 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘§ 308106. Updates and improvements to Battlefield 
Reports 
‘‘Not later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this section, and every 10 years thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that updates 
the Battlefield Reports to reflect— 
‘‘(1) preservation activities carried out at the 
battlefields in the period since the publication of the 
most recent Battlefield Reports update; 
‘‘(2) changes in the condition, including core 
and study areas, of the battlefields during that pe-
riod; and 
‘‘(3) any other relevant developments relating 
to the battlefields during that period.’’. 
(f) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 3081 of title 54, United States Code, is 
amended as follows: 
(1) By amending the item relating to section 
308101 to read as follows: ‘‘308101. Definitions.’’. 
(2) By adding at the end the following: 
‘‘308106. Updates and improvements to Battlefield 
Reports.’’. 
TITLE II—ACCESS AMERICA 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00118
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
119 
HR 6492 RDS
(1) ACCESSIBLE TRAIL.—The term ‘‘accessible 
trail’’ means a trail that meets the requirements for 
a trail under the Architectural Barriers Act accessi-
bility guidelines. 
(2) ARCHITECTURAL
BARRIERS
ACT
ACCESSI-
BILITY GUIDELINES.—The term ‘‘Architectural Bar-
riers Act accessibility guidelines’’ means the accessi-
bility 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 ‘‘as-
sistive technology’’ means any item, piece of equip-
ment, or product system, whether acquired commer-
cially, modified, or customized, that is used to in-
crease, maintain, or improve functional capabilities 
of individuals with disabilities, particularly with par-
ticipating in outdoor recreation activities. 
(4) 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. 
(5) OUTDOOR
CONSTRUCTED
FEATURE.—The 
term ‘‘outdoor constructed feature’’ has the meaning 
given such term in appendix C to part 1191 of title 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00119
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
120 
HR 6492 RDS
36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regu-
lations). 
(6) VETERANS ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘vet-
erans organization’’ means a service provider with 
outdoor recreation experience that serves members 
of the Armed Forces, veterans, or Gold Star Family 
members. 
Subtitle A—Access for People With 
Disabilities 
SEC. 211. ACCESSIBLE RECREATION INVENTORY. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of the enactment of this title, 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 re-
spective Secretary concerned to determine the acces-
sibility of such outdoor recreation facilities, con-
sistent with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 
(42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and section 504 of the Re-
habilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794), including— 
(A) camp shelters, camping facilities, and 
camping units; 
(B) boat launch ramps; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00120
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
121 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 sub-
section (a)(1), to the extent practicable, the Secretary con-
cerned may rely on assessments completed or data gath-
ered prior to the date of the enactment of this title. 
(c) PUBLIC INFORMATION.—Not later than 7 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, 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 Rehabili-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00121
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
122 
HR 6492 RDS
tation Act (29 U.S.C. 794) at outdoor recreation facilities 
covered by the assessment required under subsection 
(a)(1). 
SEC. 212. TRAIL INVENTORY. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 7 years after the 
date of the enactment of this title, 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 con-
cerned, 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 promi-
nently 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00122
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
123 
HR 6492 RDS
(b) SELECTION.—The Secretary concerned shall se-
lect high-priority trails to be assessed under subsection 
(a)(1)— 
(1) in consultation with stakeholders, including 
veterans organizations and organizations with exper-
tise or experience providing outdoor recreation op-
portunities to individuals with disabilities; 
(2) in a geographically equitable manner; and 
(3) in no fewer than 15 units or subunits man-
aged 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 title. 
(d) PUBLIC INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 7 years after 
the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary 
concerned shall identify opportunities to replace 
signage and other publicly available information, in-
cluding 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00123
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
124 
HR 6492 RDS
794) at high-priority trails covered by the assess-
ment required under subsection (a)(1). 
(2) TREAD OBSTACLES.—As part of the assess-
ment 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 sub-
section, the Secretary concerned shall make public infor-
mation 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 tech-
nology. 
SEC. 213. TRAIL PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this title, 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 212; 
(2) develop accessible trails under section 214; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00124
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
125 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 rec-
reational lands and waters on which the acces-
sible trail is located; and 
(B) in consultation with stakeholders, in-
cluding veterans organizations and organiza-
tions with expertise or experience providing out-
door 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00125
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
126 
HR 6492 RDS
(C) United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice. 
(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 title. 
SEC. 214. ACCESSIBLE TRAILS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this title, 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 re-
gion 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; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00126
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
127 
HR 6492 RDS
(B) modify an existing trail into an acces-
sible trail; or 
(C) create an accessible trail from a com-
bination 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 Re-
habilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794); and 
(C) to the extent practicable, ensure that 
outdoor constructed features supporting the ac-
cessible trail, including trail bridges, parking 
spaces, and restroom facilities, meet the re-
quirements 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 title, the Secretary con-
cerned, in coordination with stakeholders described under 
subsection (b)(2), shall complete each accessible trail de-
veloped under subsection (a). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00127
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
128 
HR 6492 RDS
(d) MAPS, SIGNAGE, AND PROMOTIONAL MATE-
RIALS.—For each accessible trail developed under sub-
section (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 develop-
ment, 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 title with respect to any trail 
that is part of that accessible trail; 
(B) multiple-use areas where biking, hik-
ing, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle recre-
ation, or use by pack and saddle stock are ex-
isting uses on the date of the enactment of this 
title; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00128
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
129 
HR 6492 RDS
(C) the purposes for which any trail is es-
tablished 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 title, the Sec-
retary 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 pre-
vious 3 years. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 7 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, the Sec-
retary 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. 215. ACCESSIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned 
shall select a location to develop at least 2 new accessible 
recreation opportunities— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00129
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
131 
HR 6492 RDS
(B) ensure the accessible recreation oppor-
tunity complies with the Architectural Barriers 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) and sec-
tion 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 
794); and 
(C) to the extent practicable, ensure that 
outdoor constructed features supporting the ac-
cessible recreation opportunity, including trail 
bridges, parking spaces and restroom facilities, 
meet the requirements of the Architectural Bar-
riers Act of 1968 and section 504 of the Reha-
bilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794). 
(c) ACCESSIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.— 
The accessible recreation opportunities developed under 
subsection (a) may include improving accessibility or ac-
cess to— 
(1) camp shelters, camping facilities, and camp-
ing units; 
(2) hunting, fishing, shooting, or archery 
ranges or locations; 
(3) snow activities, including skiing and 
snowboarding; 
(4) water activities, including kayaking, pad-
dling, canoeing, and boat launch ramps; 
(5) rock climbing; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00131
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
132 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 oppor-
tunities identified in consultation with stakeholders 
under subsection (b)(2) and consistent with the ap-
plicable land management plan. 
(d) COMPLETION.—Not later than 7 years after the 
date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary con-
cerned, 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 MATE-
RIALS.—For each accessible recreation opportunity devel-
oped 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 Reha-
bilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d); and 
(2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any 
non-Federal resources necessary for the develop-
ment, stewardship, completion, or promotion of the 
accessible trail. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00132
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
133 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 title with respect to any Fed-
eral 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 title; and 
(2) complies with all applicable land use and 
management plans of the Federal recreational lands 
and waters on which the accessible recreational op-
portunity is located. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, the Sec-
retary 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 title, the Sec-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00133
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
134 
HR 6492 RDS
retary concerned, in coordination with stakeholders 
and other interested organizations, shall prepare and 
publish a final report that lists the accessible recre-
ation opportunities developed under this section. 
SEC. 216. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. 
In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary concerned 
may enter into partnerships, contracts, or agreements with 
other Federal, State, Tribal, local, or private entities, in-
cluding existing outfitting and guiding services, to make 
assistive technology available on Federal recreational 
lands and waters. 
SEC. 217. SAVINGS CLAUSE. 
Nothing in the subtitle 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). 
Subtitle B—Military and Veterans 
in Parks 
SEC. 221. PROMOTION OF OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR 
MILITARY 
SERVICEMEMBERS 
AND 
VET-
ERANS. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this title, the Secretary concerned, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary 
of Defense, shall develop educational and public awareness 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00134
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
135 
HR 6492 RDS
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); 
(2) the availability and location of accessible 
trails, including new accessible trails developed and 
completed under section 214; 
(3) the availability and location of accessible 
recreation opportunities, including new accessible 
recreation opportunities developed and completed 
under section 215; 
(4) access to, and assistance with, assistive 
technology; 
(5) outdoor-related volunteer and wellness pro-
grams; 
(6) the benefits of outdoor recreation for phys-
ical and mental health; 
(7) resources to access guided outdoor trips and 
other outdoor programs connected to the Depart-
ment of Defense, the Department of Veterans Af-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00135
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
136 
HR 6492 RDS
fairs, the Department of the Interior, or the Depart-
ment of Agriculture; and 
(8) programs and jobs focused on continuing 
national service such as Public Land Corps, 
AmeriCorps, and conservation corps programs. 
SEC. 222. MILITARY VETERANS OUTDOOR RECREATION LI-
AISONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each establish within 
their Departments the position of Military Veterans Out-
door Recreation Liaison. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Military Veterans Outdoor Recre-
ation Liaison shall— 
(1) coordinate the implementation of this sub-
title; 
(2) implement recommendations identified by 
the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans 
established under section 203 of the Veterans Com-
prehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treat-
ment Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–214), including 
recommendations related to— 
(A) identifying new opportunities to for-
malize coordination between the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00136
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
137 
HR 6492 RDS
Department of the Interior, and partner organi-
zations regarding the use of Federal rec-
reational 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 rec-
reational 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. 223. PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE MILITARY AND VET-
ERAN 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00137
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
138 
HR 6492 RDS
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 Sec-
retary 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 fi-
nancial 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 fa-
cilitate improved outdoor recreation opportunities for 
members of the Armed Forces or veterans. 
SEC. 224. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MILITARY AND VET-
ERAN RECREATION. 
(a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this title, the Federal Interagency 
Council on Outdoor Recreation established under section 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00138
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
139 
HR 6492 RDS
113 shall develop and make public a strategy to increase 
visits to Federal recreational lands and waters by mem-
bers 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 rec-
reational lands and waters by members of the 
Armed Forces, veterans, and Gold Star Family 
members; 
(B) include an opportunity for public no-
tice and comment; 
(C) emphasize increased recreation oppor-
tunities on Federal recreational lands and 
waters for members of the Armed Forces, vet-
erans, 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00139
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
140 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 
Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation shall 
update the strategy and make public the update. 
SEC. 225. RECREATION RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMIT-
TEES. 
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 
(B) after subclause (III), by inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(IV) Veterans organizations, as 
such term is defined in section 201 of 
the EXPLORE Act.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (8) by striking ‘‘Eight’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Six’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00140
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
141 
HR 6492 RDS
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 
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 De-
partment of the Interior that are appropriate to 
fill using the pilot program; and 
(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.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00141
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
142 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 Train-
ing shall jointly provide to the appropriate con-
gressional committees a briefing on the pilot 
program 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 jointly provide to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a briefing on the implementa-
tion 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 para-
graph (5), the Secretary and the Assistant Sec-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00142
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
143 
HR 6492 RDS
retary 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 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 determine appropriate with re-
spect 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 DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ means— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00143
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
144 
HR 6492 RDS
(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
ATTEND-
ANCE.—Each Secretary of a military department is en-
couraged to allow members of the Armed Forces on active 
duty status to participate in programs related to environ-
mental stewardship 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 joint-
ly, shall develop and make public a strategy to increase 
the number of youth recreation visits to Federal rec-
reational lands and waters. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—A strategy developed under 
subsection (a)— 
(1) shall— 
(A) emphasize increased recreation oppor-
tunities on Federal recreational lands and 
waters for underserved youth; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00144
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
145 
HR 6492 RDS
(B) establish objectives and quantifiable 
targets 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 
Secretaries shall update the strategy and make public the 
update. 
(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. 
SEC. 232. EVERY KID OUTDOORS ACT EXTENSION. 
Section 9001(b) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Con-
servation, 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 
August 31 of the following year’’ and inserting ‘‘for 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00145
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
146 
HR 6492 RDS
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 
subchapter II of chapter 1019 of title 54, United 
States Code. 
(2) MULTIJURISDICTIONAL
TRIP.—The term 
‘‘multijurisdictional trip’’ means a trip that— 
(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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00146
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
147 
HR 6492 RDS
Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as 
amended 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 Recre-
ation 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 
purposes of authorizing use under a special recre-
ation 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— 
(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)’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00147
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
148 
HR 6492 RDS
(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 para-
graphs (as so redesignated) to appear in numerical 
order; 
(9) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so re-
designated) the following: 
‘‘(9) RECREATION
SERVICE
PROVIDER.—The 
term ‘recreation service provider’ means a person 
that provides recreational services to the public 
under a 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.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00148
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
149 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘special 
recreation permit’ means a permit issued by a 
Federal land management agency for the use of 
Federal 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; 
‘‘(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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00149
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
150 
HR 6492 RDS
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 
Secretary, 
a 
recurring 
organized 
group recreation activity (including an 
outfitting and guiding activity) that— 
‘‘(aa) is a structured or 
scheduled activity; 
‘‘(bb) is not competitive; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00150
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
151 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(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 
authorization 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 
occurs under a temporary special 
recreation permit authorized under 
section 316 of the EXPLORE Act. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘special 
recreation permit’ does not include— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00151
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
152 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(i) a concession contract for the pro-
vision of accommodations, facilities, or 
services; 
‘‘(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.— 
Section 803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhance-
ment 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 
(3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(h) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS AND FEES.— 
‘‘(1) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS.— 
‘‘(A) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00152
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
153 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(i) may develop and make available 
to the public an application to obtain a 
special 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 
special 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 
conditions that are determined to be necessary 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) INCIDENTAL SALES.—A special recre-
ation permit issued under this paragraph may 
include an authorization for sales that are inci-
dental in nature to the permitted use of the 
Federal recreational lands and waters, except 
where otherwise prohibited by law. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEES.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00153
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
154 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(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 specific type of use on a unit of Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters, con-
sistent with the criteria set forth in clause 
(iii) of this subparagraph. 
‘‘(ii) TYPE OF FEE.—A predetermined 
fee described in clause (i) shall be— 
‘‘(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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00154
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
155 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(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 EX-
PLORE Act, in accordance with sub-
section (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 the Secretary has not estab-
lished a predetermined fee under sub-
clause (I), (II), or (III). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00155
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
156 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(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 
RECURRING
ORGANIZED
GROUP
RECREATION 
ACTIVITIES.—If the Secretary elects to charge a 
fee for a special recreation permit described in 
section 802(13)(A)(iii), the Secretary shall 
charge the recreation service provider, based on 
the election 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 receipts calculated under subpara-
graph (F). 
‘‘(E) CALCULATION
OF
FEES
FOR
TEM-
PORARY PERMITS AND LONG-TERM PERMITS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00156
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
157 
HR 6492 RDS
Subject to subparagraph (G), if the Secretary 
elects to charge a fee for a special recreation 
permit described in section 802(13)(A)(iv), the 
Secretary shall charge the recreation service 
provider, based on the election 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 
not to exceed 3 percent of, adjusted gross 
receipts calculated under subparagraph 
(F). 
‘‘(F) ADJUSTED
GROSS
RECEIPTS.—For 
the purposes of subparagraphs (D)(ii) and 
(E)(ii), the Secretary shall calculate the ad-
justed gross receipts collected for each trip or 
event authorized under a special recreation per-
mit, using either of the following calculations, 
based on the election of the recreation service 
provider: 
‘‘(i) The sum of— 
‘‘(I) the product obtained by mul-
tiplying— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00157
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
158 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(aa) the general amount 
paid by participants of the trip or 
event to the recreation service 
provider 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 
recreational 
lands 
and 
waters covered by the special 
recreation 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00158
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
159 
HR 6492 RDS
occurred on the Federal recreational 
lands and waters covered by the spe-
cial 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 addi-
tional revenue received by the recre-
ation service provider for an add-on 
activity or an optional excursion that 
occurred on the Federal recreational 
lands and waters covered by the spe-
cial recreation permit; and 
‘‘(II) the sum of— 
‘‘(aa) the amount of any 
revenues from goods, souvenirs, 
merchandise, gear, and additional 
food provided or sold by the 
recreation service provider to the 
participants of the applicable trip 
or event; 
‘‘(bb) the amount of any 
costs or revenues from services 
and activities provided or sold by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00159
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
160 
HR 6492 RDS
the recreation service provider to 
the participants of the trip or 
event that occurred in a location 
other than the Federal rec-
reational lands and waters cov-
ered by the special recreation 
permit (including costs for travel 
and lodging outside the Federal 
recreational lands and waters 
covered by the special recreation 
permit); and 
‘‘(cc) the amount of any rev-
enues 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.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00160
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
161 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(i) EFFECT.—Nothing in this para-
graph affects any fee for— 
‘‘(I) a concession contract admin-
istered by the National Park Service 
or the United States Fish and Wild-
life 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 Serv-
ice. 
‘‘(ii) COST
RECOVERY.—Nothing in 
this paragraph affects the ability of the 
Secretary 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 per-
mit fee under this paragraph shall not af-
fect the authority of the Secretary to col-
lect an entrance fee, a standard amenity 
recreation fee, or an expanded amenity 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00161
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
162 
HR 6492 RDS
recreation fee authorized under subsections 
(e), (f), and (g). 
‘‘(i) DISCLOSURE OF RECREATION FEES AND USE 
OF RECREATION FEES.— 
‘‘(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, 
standard amenity recreation fee, or ex-
panded 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 no-
tice described in that subparagraph. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00162
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
163 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(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— 
‘‘(A) the total recreation fees collected dur-
ing each of the 2 preceding fiscal years at the 
respective 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 recre-
ation 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 rev-
enues collected under this section. 
‘‘(4) CENTRALIZED
REPORTING
ON
AGENCY 
WEBSITES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than Janu-
ary 1, 2025, and not later than 60 days after 
the beginning of each fiscal year thereafter, the 
Secretary shall post on the website of the appli-
cable Federal land management agency a 
searchable list of each use during the preceding 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00163
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
164 
HR 6492 RDS
fiscal year of the recreation fee or recreation 
pass revenues collected under this section. 
‘‘(B) LIST
COMPONENTS.—The list re-
quired under subparagraph (A) shall include, 
with respect to each use described in that sub-
paragraph— 
‘‘(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 
service provider may inform a customer of the recre-
ation service provider of any fee charged by the Sec-
retary 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’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00164
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
165 
HR 6492 RDS
(2) in subsection (a)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(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 
section 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00165
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
166 
HR 6492 RDS
permits under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 
by this title), the Secretaries shall each— 
(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 sub-
paragraph (A), identify opportunities to— 
(i) eliminate duplicative processes with 
respect to issuing special recreation per-
mits; 
(ii) reduce costs for the issuance of 
special 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 eval-
uation and identification processes under paragraph 
(1), revise, as necessary, relevant agency regulations 
and guidance documents, including regulations and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00166
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
167 
HR 6492 RDS
guidance documents relating to the environmental 
review process, for special recreation permits to im-
plement the improvements identified under para-
graph (1)(B). 
(b) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, utilize 
available tools, including tiering to existing pro-
grammatic reviews, as appropriate, to facilitate an 
effective and efficient environmental review process 
for activities undertaken 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 
exclusions available to the Secretary concerned 
on the date of the enactment of this title are 
consistent 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 
developed in compliance with the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) is necessary to undertake an activity 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00167
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
168 
HR 6492 RDS
described in paragraph (1) in a manner con-
sistent with the authorities and requirements in 
this title; and 
(C) revise relevant agency regulations and 
policy statements and guidance documents, as 
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 recreation permit under section 803(h) of the Fed-
eral 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 Secre-
taries shall make the application for a special recreation 
permit under section 803(h) of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement 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; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00168
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
169 
HR 6492 RDS
(2) by mail or electronic mail; and 
(3) in person at the field office for the applica-
ble Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(e) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMITS FOR AN ORGA-
NIZED GROUP RECREATION ACTIVITY OR EVENT.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(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 de-
scribed 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 vis-
itor-use days available for an area or activity on 
Federal recreational lands and waters among recre-
ation service providers that hold a permit described 
in paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Fed-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00169
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
170 
HR 6492 RDS
eral Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title), a special recreation 
permit for an organized group recreation activity or 
event shall not be subject to that allocation of vis-
itor-use days. 
(3) ISSUANCE.—In accordance with paragraphs 
(5) and (6), if use by the general public is not sub-
ject to a limited entry permit system and if capacity 
is available for the times or days in which the pro-
posed activity or event would be undertaken, on re-
quest of a recreation service provider (including a 
youth group) to conduct an organized group recre-
ation activity 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 Sec-
retary concerned— 
(A) shall make a nominal effects deter-
mination to determine whether the proposed ac-
tivity or event would have more than nominal 
effects on Federal recreational lands and 
waters, resources, 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00170
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
173 
HR 6492 RDS
ation permit for an organized group recreation 
activity or event, subject to any terms and con-
ditions determined to be appropriate by the 
Secretary concerned, if the Secretary concerned 
determines— 
(I) the proposed activity or event to 
be undertaken may have more than nomi-
nal effects on Federal recreational lands 
and waters, resources, and programs; and 
(II) establishing additional terms and 
conditions for the proposed activity or 
event would be necessary to protect or 
avoid conflict on or with Federal rec-
reational 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00173
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
174 
HR 6492 RDS
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 para-
graph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title). 
SEC. 313. PERMIT FLEXIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned shall es-
tablish guidelines to allow a holder of a special recreation 
permit under subsection (h) of section 803 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as 
amended by this title), to engage in another recreational 
activity under the special recreation permit that is sub-
stantially similar to the specific activity authorized under 
the special recreation permit. 
(b) CRITERIA.—For the purposes of this section, a 
recreational activity shall be considered to be a substan-
tially similar recreational activity if the recreational activ-
ity— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00174
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
175 
HR 6492 RDS
(1) is comparable in type, nature, scope, and 
ecological setting to the specific activity authorized 
under the special recreation permit; 
(2) does not result in a greater impact on nat-
ural and cultural resources than the impact of the 
authorized activity; 
(3) does not adversely affect— 
(A) any other holder of a special recreation 
permit or other permit; or 
(B) any other authorized use of the Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters; and 
(4) is consistent with— 
(A) any applicable laws (including regula-
tions); and 
(B) the land management plan, resource 
management plan, or equivalent plan applicable 
to the Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(c) SURRENDER OF UNUSED VISITOR-USE DAYS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A recreation service provider 
holding a special recreation permit described in 
paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title) may— 
(A) notify the Secretary concerned of an 
inability to use visitor-use days annually allo-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00175
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
176 
HR 6492 RDS
cated to the recreation service provider under 
the special recreation permit; and 
(B) surrender to the Secretary concerned 
the unused visitor-use days for the applicable 
year for temporary reassignment under section 
318(b). 
(2) DETERMINATION.—To ensure a recreation 
service provider described in paragraph (1) is able to 
make an informed decision before surrendering any 
unused visitor-use day under paragraph (1)(B), the 
Secretary concerned shall, on the request of the ap-
plicable recreation service provider, determine and 
notify the recreation service provider whether the 
unused visitor-use day meets the requirement de-
scribed in section 317(b)(3)(B) before the recreation 
service provider surrenders the unused visitor-use 
day. 
(d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section affects any au-
thority of, regulation issued by, or decision of the Sec-
retary concerned relating to the use of electric bicycles on 
Federal recreational lands and waters under any other 
Federal law. 
SEC. 314. PERMIT ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) PERMIT AVAILABILITY.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00176
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
177 
HR 6492 RDS
(1) 
NOTIFICATIONS
OF
PERMIT
AVAIL-
ABILITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), in an area of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters in which use by 
recreation service providers is allocated, if the 
Secretary concerned determines that visitor-use 
days are available for allocation to recreation 
service providers or holders of a commercial use 
authorization for outfitting and guiding, the 
Secretary concerned shall publish that informa-
tion on the website of the agency that admin-
isters the applicable area of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters. 
(B) EFFECT.—Nothing in this para-
graph— 
(i) applies to— 
(I) the reissuance of an existing 
special recreation permit or commer-
cial use authorization for outfitting 
and guiding; or 
(II) the issuance of a new special 
recreation permit or new commercial 
use authorization for outfitting and 
guiding issued to the purchaser of— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00177
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
178 
HR 6492 RDS
(aa) a recreation service pro-
vider that is the holder of an ex-
isting special recreation permit; 
or 
(bb) a holder of an existing 
commercial use authorization for 
outfitting and guiding; or 
(ii) creates a prerequisite to the 
issuance of a special recreation permit or 
commercial use authorization for outfitting 
and guiding or otherwise limits the author-
ity of the Secretary concerned— 
(I) to issue a new special recre-
ation permit or new commercial use 
authorization for outfitting and guid-
ing; or 
(II) to add a new or additional 
use to an existing special recreation 
permit or an existing commercial use 
authorization for outfitting and guid-
ing. 
(2) UPDATES.—The Secretary concerned shall 
ensure that information published on the website 
under this subsection is consistently updated to pro-
vide current and correct information to the public. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00178
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
179 
HR 6492 RDS
(3) ELECTRONIC
MAIL
NOTIFICATIONS.—The 
Secretary concerned shall establish a system by 
which potential applicants for special recreation per-
mits or commercial use authorizations for outfitting 
and guiding may subscribe to receive notification by 
electronic mail of the availability of special recre-
ation permits under section 803(h)(1) of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6802) (as amended by this title) or commercial use 
authorizations for outfitting and guiding. 
(b) PERMIT APPLICATION OR PROPOSAL ACKNOWL-
EDGMENT.—Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the Secretary concerned receives a completed appli-
cation or a complete proposal for a special recreation per-
mit under section 803(h)(1) of the Federal Lands Recre-
ation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended 
by this title), the Secretary concerned shall— 
(1) provide to the applicant notice acknowl-
edging receipt of the application or proposal; and 
(2)(A) issue a final decision with respect to the 
application or proposal; or 
(B) provide to the applicant notice of a pro-
jected date for a final decision on the application or 
proposal. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00179
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
180 
HR 6492 RDS
(c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section applies to a 
concession contract issued by the National Park Service 
for the provision of accommodations, facilities, or services. 
SEC. 315. SERVICE FIRST INITIATIVE; PERMITS FOR MULTI-
JURISDICTIONAL TRIPS. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 330 of the Department of the 
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 
(43 U.S.C. 1703), is repealed. 
(b) COOPERATIVE ACTION AND SHARING OF RE-
SOURCES BY THE SECRETARIES OF THE INTERIOR AND 
AGRICULTURE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2024, and 
each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretaries may carry 
out an initiative, to be known as the ‘‘Service First 
Initiative’’, under which the Secretaries, or Federal 
land management agencies within their departments, 
may— 
(A) establish programs to conduct projects, 
planning, permitting, leasing, contracting, and 
other activities, either jointly or on behalf of 
one another; 
(B) co-locate in Federal offices and facili-
ties leased by an agency of the Department of 
the Interior or the Department of Agriculture; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00180
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
181 
HR 6492 RDS
(C) issue rules to test the feasibility of 
issuing unified permits, applications, and leases, 
subject to the limitations in this section. 
(2) DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY.—The Secre-
taries may make reciprocal delegations of the respec-
tive authorities, duties, and responsibilities of the 
Secretaries in support of the Service First Initiative 
agency-wide to promote customer service and effi-
ciency. 
(3) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section alters, 
expands, or limits the applicability of any law (in-
cluding regulations) to land administered by the Bu-
reau of Land Management, National Park Service, 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the For-
est Service or matters under the jurisdiction of any 
other bureaus or offices of the Department of the 
Interior or the Department of Agriculture, as appli-
cable. 
(4) TRANSFERS OF FUNDING.—Subject to the 
availability of appropriations and to facilitate the 
sharing of resources under the Service First Initia-
tive, the Secretaries are authorized to mutually 
transfer funds between, or reimburse amounts ex-
pended from, appropriate accounts of either Depart-
ment on an annual basis, including transfers and re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00181
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
182 
HR 6492 RDS
imbursements for multiyear projects, except that 
this authority may not be used in a manner that cir-
cumvents requirements or limitations imposed on the 
use of any of the funds so transferred or reim-
bursed. 
(5) REPORT.—The Secretaries shall submit an 
annual report to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate describing the activities undertaken as part 
of the Service First Initiative in the prior year. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL RECREATION PER-
MITS FOR MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRIPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this title, the Secre-
taries shall establish a pilot program to offer to a 
person seeking an authorization for a multijuris-
dictional trip a set of separate special recreation per-
mits or commercial use authorizations that author-
izes the use of each unit of Federal recreational 
lands and waters on which the multijurisdictional 
trip occurs, subject to the authorities that apply to 
the applicable unit of Federal recreational lands and 
waters. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00182
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
183 
HR 6492 RDS
(2) MINIMUM NUMBER OF PERMITS.—Not later 
than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this 
title, the Secretaries shall issue not fewer than 10 
sets of separate special recreation permits described 
in paragraph (13)(A)(iv) of section 802 of the Fed-
eral Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title) or commercial use 
authorizations under the pilot program established 
under paragraph (1). 
(3) LEAD AGENCIES.—In carrying out the pilot 
program established under paragraph (1), the Secre-
taries shall— 
(A) designate a lead agency for issuing and 
administering a set of separate special recre-
ation permits or commercial use authorizations; 
and 
(B) select not fewer than 4 offices at which 
a person shall be able to apply for a set of sepa-
rate special recreation permits or commercial 
use authorizations, of which— 
(i) not fewer than 2 offices are man-
aged by the Secretary; and 
(ii) not fewer than 2 offices are man-
aged by the Secretary of Agriculture, act-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00183
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
184 
HR 6492 RDS
ing through the Chief of the Forest Serv-
ice. 
(4) RETENTION OF AUTHORITY BY THE APPLI-
CABLE SECRETARY.—Each of the Secretaries shall 
retain the authority to enforce the terms, stipula-
tions, conditions, and agreements in a set of sepa-
rate special recreation permits or commercial use au-
thorizations issued under the pilot program estab-
lished under paragraph (1) that apply specifically to 
the use occurring on the Federal recreational lands 
and waters managed by the applicable Secretary, 
under the authorities that apply to the applicable 
Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(5) OPTION TO APPLY FOR SEPARATE SPECIAL 
RECREATION
PERMITS
OR
COMMERCIAL
USE
AU-
THORIZATIONS.—A person seeking the appropriate 
permits or authorizations for a multijurisdictional 
trip may apply for— 
(A) a separate special recreation permit or 
commercial use authorization for the use of 
each unit of Federal recreational lands and 
waters on which the multijurisdictional trip oc-
curs; or 
(B) a set of separate special recreational 
permits or commercial use authorizations made 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00184
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
185 
HR 6492 RDS
available under the pilot program established 
under paragraph (1). 
(6) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection ap-
plies to a concession contract issued by the National 
Park Service for the provision of accommodations, 
facilities, or services. 
SEC. 316. FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MAN-
AGEMENT 
TEMPORARY 
SPECIAL 
RECRE-
ATION PERMITS FOR OUTFITTING AND GUID-
ING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this title, the Secretary concerned 
shall establish and implement a program to authorize the 
issuance of temporary special recreation permits for new 
or additional recreational uses of Federal recreational land 
and water managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau 
of Land Management. 
(b) TERM OF TEMPORARY PERMITS.—A temporary 
special recreation permit issued under paragraph (1) shall 
be issued for a period of not more than 2 years. 
(c) CONVERSION TO LONG-TERM PERMIT.—If the 
Secretary concerned determines that a permittee under 
paragraph (1) has completed 2 years of satisfactory oper-
ation under the permit proposed to be converted, the Sec-
retary may provide for the conversion of a temporary spe-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00185
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
186 
HR 6492 RDS
cial recreation permit issued under paragraph (1) to a 
long-term special recreation permit. 
(d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection alters or af-
fects the authority of the Secretary to issue a special 
recreation permit under subsection (h)(1) of section 803 
of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title). 
SEC. 317. REVIEWS FOR LONG-TERM PERMITS. 
(a) MONITORING.—The Secretary concerned shall 
monitor each recreation service provider issued a special 
recreation permit for compliance with the terms of the per-
mit— 
(1) not less than annually or as frequently as 
needed (as determined by the Secretary concerned), 
in the case of a temporary special recreation permit 
for outfitting and guiding issued under section 316; 
and 
(2) not less than once every 2 years or as fre-
quently as needed (as determined by the Secretary 
concerned), in the case of a special recreation permit 
described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 802 
of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by this title) that is 
issued for a term of not more than 10 years. 
(b) USE-OF-ALLOCATION REVIEWS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00186
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
187 
HR 6492 RDS
(1) IN
GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Agri-
culture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Serv-
ice, or the Secretary, as applicable, allocates visitor- 
use days among special recreation permits for outfit-
ting and guiding, the Secretary of Agriculture, act-
ing through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall, 
and the Secretary may, review the use by the recre-
ation service provider of the visitor-use days allo-
cated under a long-term special recreation permit 
described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of section 802 
of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by this title), once 
every 5 years. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS OF THE REVIEW.—In con-
ducting a review under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
concerned shall determine— 
(A) the number of visitor-use days that the 
recreation service provider used each year under 
the special recreation permit, in accordance 
with paragraph (3); and 
(B) the year in which the recreation serv-
ice provider used the most visitor-use days 
under the special recreation permit. 
(3) CONSIDERATION
OF
SURRENDERED, UN-
USED VISITOR-USE DAYS.—For the purposes of de-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00187
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
188 
HR 6492 RDS
termining the number of visitor-use days a recre-
ation service provider used in a specified year under 
paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary of Agriculture, act-
ing through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the 
Secretary, as applicable, shall consider an unused 
visitor-use day that has been surrendered under sec-
tion 313(c)(1)(B) as— 
(A) 1/2 of a visitor-use day used; or 
(B) 1 visitor-use day used, if the Secretary 
concerned determines the use of the allocated 
visitor-use day had been or will be prevented by 
a circumstance beyond the control of the recre-
ation service provider. 
SEC. 318. ADJUSTMENT OF ALLOCATED VISITOR-USE DAYS. 
(a) ADJUSTMENTS FOLLOWING USE OF ALLOCATION 
REVIEWS.—On the completion of a use-of-allocation re-
view conducted under section 317(b) for a special recre-
ation permit described in paragraph (13)(A)(iv)(I) of sec-
tion 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 
Act (16 U.S.C. 6801) (as amended by this title), the Sec-
retary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the For-
est Service, or the Secretary, as applicable, shall adjust 
the number of visitor-use days allocated to a recreation 
service provider under the special recreation permit as fol-
lows: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00188
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
189 
HR 6492 RDS
(1) If the Secretary concerned determines that 
the performance of the recreation service provider 
was satisfactory during the most recent review con-
ducted under subsection (a) of section 317, the an-
nual number of visitor-use days allocated for each 
remaining year of the permit shall be equal to 125 
percent of the number of visitor-use days used, as 
determined under subsection (b)(2)(A) of that sec-
tion, during the year identified under subsection 
(b)(2)(B) of that section, not to exceed the level allo-
cated to the recreation service provider on the date 
on which the special recreation permit was issued. 
(2) If the Secretary concerned determines the 
performance of the recreation service provider is less 
than satisfactory during the most recent perform-
ance review conducted under subsection (a) of sec-
tion 317, the annual number of visitor-use days allo-
cated for each remaining year of the special recre-
ation permit shall be equal to not more than 100 
percent of the number of visitor-use days used, as 
determined under subsection (b)(2)(A) of that sec-
tion during the year identified under subsection 
(b)(2)(B) of that section. 
(b) TEMPORARY REASSIGNMENT OF UNUSED VIS-
ITOR-USE DAYS.—The Secretary concerned may tempo-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00189
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
190 
HR 6492 RDS
rarily assign unused visitor-use days, made available under 
section 313(c)(1)(B), to— 
(1) any other existing or potential recreation 
service provider, notwithstanding the number of vis-
itor-use days allocated to the special recreation per-
mit holder under the special recreation permit held 
or to be held by the recreation service provider; or 
(2) any existing or potential holder of a special 
recreation permit described in clause (i) or (iii) of 
paragraph (13)(A) of section 802 of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6801) (as amended by this title), including the pub-
lic. 
(c) ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.—If unallocated visitor- 
use days are available, the Secretary concerned may, at 
any time, amend a special recreation permit to allocate 
additional visitor-use days to a qualified recreation service 
provider. 
SEC. 319. LIABILITY. 
(a) INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), as a condition of issuing a special recre-
ation permit under subsection (h)(1)(B) of section 
803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 
Act (16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title) or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00190
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
191 
HR 6492 RDS
a commercial use authorization, the Secretary con-
cerned may require the holder of the special recre-
ation permit or commercial use authorization to have 
a commercial general liability insurance policy 
that— 
(A) is commensurate with the level of risk 
of the activities to be conducted under the spe-
cial recreation permit or commercial use au-
thorization; and 
(B) includes the United States as an addi-
tional insured in an endorsement to the applica-
ble policy. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary concerned 
shall not require a holder of a special recreation per-
mit or commercial use authorization for low-risk ac-
tivities, as determined by the Secretary concerned, 
including commemorative ceremonies and participa-
tion by the public in a recreation activity or recre-
ation use of a specific area of Federal recreational 
lands and waters in which use by the public is allo-
cated, to comply with the requirements of paragraph 
(1). 
(b) INDEMNIFICATION
BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTI-
TIES.—The Secretary concerned shall not require a State, 
State agency, State institution, or political subdivision of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00191
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
192 
HR 6492 RDS
a State to indemnify the United States for tort liability 
as a condition for issuing a special recreation permit or 
commercial use authorization to the extent the State, 
State agency, State institution, or political subdivision of 
a State is precluded by State law from providing indem-
nification to the United States for tort liability, if the 
State, State agency, State institution, or political subdivi-
sion of the State maintains the minimum amount of liabil-
ity insurance coverage required by the Federal land man-
agement agency for the activities conducted under the spe-
cial recreation permit or commercial use authorization in 
the form of— 
(1) a commercial general liability insurance pol-
icy, which includes the United States as an addi-
tional insured in an endorsement to the policy, if the 
State is authorized to obtain commercial general li-
ability insurance by State law; 
(2) self-insurance, which covers the United 
States as an additional insured, if authorized by 
State law; or 
(3) a combination of the coverage described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(c) EXCULPATORY AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), a Federal land management agency shall 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00192
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
193 
HR 6492 RDS
not implement, administer, or enforce any regula-
tion, guidance, or policy prohibiting the use of an ex-
culpatory agreement between a recreation service 
provider or a holder of a commercial use authoriza-
tion and a customer relating to services provided 
under a special recreation permit or a commercial 
use authorization. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Any exculpatory agree-
ment used by a recreation service provider or holder 
of a commercial use authorization for an activity au-
thorized under a special recreation permit or com-
mercial use authorization— 
(A) shall shield the United States from any 
liability, if otherwise allowable under Federal 
law; and 
(B) shall not waive any liability of the 
recreation service provider or holder of the com-
mercial use authorization that may not be 
waived under the laws (including common law) 
of the applicable State or for gross negligence, 
recklessness, or willful misconduct. 
(3) CONSISTENCY.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, the Sec-
retaries shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00193
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
194 
HR 6492 RDS
(A) review the policies of the Secretaries 
pertaining to the use of exculpatory agreements 
by recreation service providers and holders of 
commercial use authorizations; and 
(B) revise any policy described in subpara-
graph (A) as necessary to make the policies of 
the Secretaries pertaining to the use of excul-
patory agreements by recreation service pro-
viders and holders of commercial use authoriza-
tions consistent with this subsection and across 
all Federal recreational lands and waters. 
(d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section applies to a 
concession contract issued by the National Park Service 
for the provision of accommodations, facilities, or services. 
SEC. 320. COST RECOVERY REFORM. 
(a) COST RECOVERY
FOR SPECIAL RECREATION 
PERMITS.—In addition to a fee collected under section 
803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(16 U.S.C. 6802) or any other authorized fee collected by 
the Secretary concerned, the Secretary concerned may as-
sess and collect a reasonable fee from an applicant for, 
or holder of, a special recreation permit to recover admin-
istrative costs incurred by the Secretary concerned for— 
(1) processing a proposal or application for the 
special recreation permit; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00194
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
195 
HR 6492 RDS
(2) issuing the special recreation permit; and 
(3) monitoring the special recreation permit to 
ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of 
the special recreation permit. 
(b) DE MINIMIS EXEMPTION FROM COST RECOV-
ERY.—If the administrative costs described in subsection 
(a) are assessed on an hourly basis, the Secretary con-
cerned shall— 
(1) establish an hourly de minimis threshold 
that exempts a specified number of hours from the 
assessment and collection of administrative costs de-
scribed in subsection (a); and 
(2) charge an applicant only for any hours that 
exceed the de minimis threshold. 
(c) MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.—If the Secretary con-
cerned collectively processes multiple applications for spe-
cial recreation permits for the same or similar services in 
the same unit of Federal recreational lands and waters, 
the Secretary concerned shall, to the extent practicable— 
(1) assess from the applicants the fee described 
in subsection (a) on a prorated basis; and 
(2) apply the exemption described in subsection 
(b) to each applicant on an individual basis. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00195
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
196 
HR 6492 RDS
(d) LIMITATION.—The Secretary concerned shall not 
assess or collect administrative costs under this section for 
a programmatic environmental review. 
(e) COST REDUCTION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the agency processing an application for a spe-
cial recreation permit shall use existing studies and anal-
ysis to reduce the quantity of work and costs necessary 
to process the application. 
SEC. 321. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL 
RECREATION PASSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Lands Recreation 
Enhancement Act is amended by inserting after section 
805 (16 U.S.C. 6804) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 805A. AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL 
RECREATION PASSES. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To improve the availability 
of Federal, State, and local outdoor recreation 
passes, the Secretaries are encouraged to coordinate 
with States and counties regarding the availability of 
Federal, State, and local recreation passes to allow 
a purchaser to buy a Federal recreation pass, State 
recreation pass, and local recreation pass in a single 
transaction. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00196
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
197 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(2) INCLUDED
PASSES.—Passes covered by 
the program established under paragraph (1) in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) an America the Beautiful—the Na-
tional Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 
Pass under section 805; and 
‘‘(B) any pass covering any fees charged 
by participating States and counties for en-
trance and recreational use of parks and public 
land in the participating States. 
‘‘(b) AGREEMENTS WITH STATES AND COUNTIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries, after con-
sultation with the States and counties, may enter 
into agreements with States and counties to coordi-
nate the availability of passes as described in sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(2) REVENUE
FROM
PASS
SALES.—Agree-
ments between the Secretaries, States, and counties 
entered into pursuant to this section shall ensure 
that— 
‘‘(A) funds from the sale of State or local 
passes are transferred to the appropriate State 
agency or county government; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00197
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
198 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(B) funds from the sale of Federal passes 
are transferred to the appropriate Federal 
agency; and 
‘‘(C) fund transfers are completed by the 
end of a fiscal year for all pass sales occurring 
during the fiscal year.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
for the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
805 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 805A. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes.’’. 
SEC. 322. ONLINE PURCHASES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A 
DIGITAL VERSION OF AMERICA THE BEAU-
TIFUL—THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL 
RECREATIONAL LANDS PASSES. 
(a) ONLINE PURCHASES OF AMERICA THE BEAU-
TIFUL–THE
NATIONAL
PARKS
AND
FEDERAL
REC-
REATIONAL LANDS PASS.—Section 805(a)(6) of the Fed-
eral Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 
6804(a)(6)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall 
sell or otherwise make available the National 
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass— 
‘‘(i) at all Federal recreational lands 
and waters at which— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00198
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
199 
HR 6492 RDS
‘‘(I) an entrance fee or a stand-
ard amenity recreation fee is charged; 
and 
‘‘(II) such sales or distribution of 
the Pass is feasible; 
‘‘(ii) at such other locations as the 
Secretaries consider appropriate and fea-
sible; and 
‘‘(iii) through a prominent link to a 
centralized pass sale system on the website 
of each of the Federal land management 
agencies and the websites of the relevant 
units and subunits of those agencies, which 
shall include information about where and 
when a National Parks and Federal Rec-
reational Lands Pass may be used.’’. 
(b) DIGITAL VERSION OF THE AMERICA THE BEAU-
TIFUL—THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECRE-
ATION LANDS PASS.—Section 805(a) of the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) 
DIGITAL
RECREATION
PASSES.—Not 
later than January 1, 2026, the Secretaries shall— 
‘‘(A) establish a digital version of the Na-
tional Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00199
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
200 
HR 6492 RDS
Pass that is able to be stored on a mobile de-
vice, including with respect to free and dis-
counted passes; and 
‘‘(B) upon completion of a transaction for 
a National Parks and Federal Recreational 
Lands Pass, make immediately available to the 
passholder a digital version of the National 
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass es-
tablished under subparagraph (A).’’. 
(c) ENTRANCE PASS AND AMENITY FEES.—Section 
803 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 
(16 U.S.C. 6802) (as amended by this title) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) ONLINE PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—In addition to providing 
onsite payment methods, the Secretaries may collect 
payment online for— 
‘‘(A) entrance fees under subsection (e); 
‘‘(B) standard amenity recreation fees 
under subsection (f); 
‘‘(C) expanded amenity recreation fees 
under subsection (g); and 
‘‘(D) special recreation permit fees. 
‘‘(2) DISTRIBUTION OF ONLINE PAYMENTS.— 
An online payment collected under paragraph (1) 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00200
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
201 
HR 6492 RDS
that is associated with a specific unit or area of a 
Federal land management agency shall be distrib-
uted in accordance with section 805(c).’’. 
SEC. 323. SAVINGS PROVISION. 
Nothing in this subtitle, or in any amendment made 
by this subtitle, shall be construed as affecting the author-
ity or responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to 
award concessions contracts for the provision of accom-
modations, facilities, and services, or commercial use au-
thorizations to provide services, to visitors to U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service refuges or units of the National Park 
System pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 1019 of title 
54, United States Code (formerly known as the ‘‘National 
Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act 
of 1998’’), except that sections 314(a), 315, 319(a), 
319(b), and 319(c) of this subtitle shall also apply to com-
mercial use authorizations under that Act. 
Subtitle B—Making Recreation a 
Priority 
SEC. 331. EXTENSION OF SEASONAL RECREATION OPPOR-
TUNITIES. 
(a) DEFINITION OF SEASONAL CLOSURE.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘seasonal closure’’ means any period 
during which— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00201
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
202 
HR 6492 RDS
(1) a unit, or portion of a unit, of Federal rec-
reational lands and waters is closed to the public for 
a continuous period of 30 days or more, excluding 
temporary closures relating to wildlife conservation 
or public safety; and 
(2) permitted or allowable recreational activi-
ties, which provide an economic benefit, including 
off-season or winter-season tourism, do not take 
place at the unit, or portion of a unit, of Federal 
recreational lands and waters. 
(b) COORDINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries shall consult 
and coordinate with outdoor recreation-related busi-
nesses operating on, or adjacent to, a unit of Fed-
eral recreational lands and waters, State offices of 
outdoor recreation, local destination marketing orga-
nizations, applicable trade organizations, nonprofit 
organizations, Indian Tribes, local governments, and 
institutions of higher education— 
(A) to better understand— 
(i) trends with respect to visitors to 
the unit of Federal recreational lands and 
waters; 
(ii) the effect of seasonal closures on 
areas of, or infrastructure on, units of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00202
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
203 
HR 6492 RDS
Federal recreational lands and waters on 
outdoor recreation opportunities, adjacent 
businesses, and local tax revenue; and 
(iii) opportunities to extend the period 
of time during which areas of, or infra-
structure on, units of Federal recreational 
lands and waters are open to the public to 
increase outdoor recreation opportunities 
and associated revenues for businesses and 
local governments; and 
(B) to solicit input from, and provide in-
formation for, outdoor recreation marketing 
campaigns. 
(2) LOCAL COORDINATION.—As part of the con-
sultation and coordination required under subpara-
graph (1), the Secretaries shall encourage relevant 
unit managers of Federal recreational lands and 
waters managed by the Forest Service, the Bureau 
of Land Management, and the National Park Serv-
ice to consult and coordinate with local governments, 
Indian Tribes, outdoor recreation-related businesses, 
and other local stakeholders operating on or adja-
cent to the relevant unit of Federal recreational 
lands and waters. 
(d) EXTENSIONS BEYOND SEASONAL CLOSURES.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:31 Dec 30, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00203
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6492.RDS
H6492
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS