Protecting States, Opening National Parks Act

Bill: 113-s-1572
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN]
Introduced: 2013-10-15
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Appropriations

Executive agency funding and structure

Parks, recreation areas, trails

State and local finance
Latest action: action_date: 2013-10-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-10-15
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Protecting States, Opening National Parks Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse any state for state funds expended for an activity conducted in FY2014 during the federal government shutdown that was necessary to operate and open to the public a National Park located, in whole or in part, within the state. Requires any such activity to have been: (1) authorized under federal law, (2) conducted in a manner and at a level not substantially greater in scope or cost than how the activity would have been conducted by the federal government, and (3) not a settlement of or defense against a claim of liability on the part of the state. </p>

tv_txt: II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1572 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 15, 2013 Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mr. Hatch ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse States that use State funds to operate National Parks during the Federal Government shutdown, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting States, Opening National Parks Act . 2. Reimbursement for costs to States to open National Parks to the public (a) In general Not later than 90 days after funds are made available, the Secretary of the Treasury, using funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several departments, agencies, corporations, and other organizational units of government for the fiscal year 2014, shall reimburse any State for activities described in subsection (b). (b) Activities eligible for reimbursement The Secretary of the Treasury shall reimburse States under subsection (a) for State funds expended for activities that meet all of the following criteria: (1) The activity was conducted in fiscal year 2014 during a time when the Federal Government was not conducting that activity due to the partial shutdown of the Federal Government. (2) The activity was necessary to operate and open to the public a National Park located, in whole or in part, within the State. (3) The activity was authorized under Federal law. (4) The activity was conducted in a manner and at a level not substantially greater in scope or cost than how the activity would have been conducted by the Federal Government. (5) The activity is not a settlement of or defense against a claim of liability on the part of the State.