Park Partner Enhancement Act

Bill: 113-hr-4614
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2014-05-08
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Department of the Interior

Educational facilities and institutions

Government buildings, facilities, and property

Parks, recreation areas, trails

Public contracts and procurement

Public-private cooperation

Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Latest action: action_date: 2014-05-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2014-05-08
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Park Partner Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to enter into challenge cost-share agreements and certain cooperative agreements with educational institutions and nonprofits (Park Partners) to advance National Park Service programs and projects.</p> <p>Includes among these any programs and projects to: (1) manage cooperatively improvements on lands and programs within or related to at least one unit of the National Park System (NPS); (2) assist the National Park Service to plan and construct National Park facilities and trails and restore landscapes and resources within or related to at least one NPS unit; (3) provide educational and interpretive programs and services; (4) develop, distribute, or sell educational and interpretive materials and projects; and (5) raise funds and assets through donation to support such projects and programs. </p> <p>Allows the Secretary to consider the fair value of services performed by persons who volunteer their services required for the agreement to the National Park Service, and who are recruited, trained, and supported by a Park Partner, as up to 50% of any in-kind contribution of the Park Partner for cost sharing purposes. </p> <p>Requires any funds donated, proceeds received, or cost-recovery amounts provided through agreements to remain available, without future appropriation, until expended for preservation, restoration, operation, maintenance, interpretation, public programs, and related expenses of the National Park Service or Park Partner.</p>

tv_txt: I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4614 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 8, 2014 Mr. Huffman (for himself and Mrs. Lummis ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To enhance and clarify the ability of the National Park Service to work cooperatively with Park Partners to better use philanthropic and other non-Federal investments to achieve common objectives, public purposes and benefits, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Park Partner Enhancement Act . 2. Park Partner enhancements (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, may enter into agreements under section 814(g) of Public Law 104–333 ( 16 U.S.C. 1f ) and section 101(d) of Public Law 104–208 ( 16 U.S.C. 1g ) with educational institutions and non-profit organizations (referred to in this Act as a Park Partner ) to advance National Park Service programs and projects including, but not limited to, the following, each of which shall be considered a public purpose under section 6305 of title 31, United States Code: (1) To cooperatively manage improvements on lands and programs within or related to one or more units of the National Park System. (2) To assist the National Park Service to plan, design, and construct National Park facilities and trails and restore landscapes and resources within or related to one or more units of the National Park System. (3) To provide educational and interpretive programs and services within or related to one or more units of the National Park System on a cost-recovery basis. (4) To develop, produce, publish, distribute, or sell educational and interpretive materials and products. (5) To raise funds and assets through donation to support National Park Service projects and programs. (b) Contributions of volunteers The Secretary of the Interior may consider the fair value of services performed by persons who volunteer their services required for the agreement to the National Park Service and who are recruited, trained, and supported by a Park Partner as not more than 50 percent of an in-kind contribution of the Park Partner for purposes of any cost sharing requirement under any agreement entered into under subsection (a). (c) Financial contributions Any funds donated, proceeds received, or cost-recovery amounts provided through agreements entered into under subsection (a) shall be retained by the Secretary or the Park Partner in accordance with the relevant agreement and such proceeds shall remain available, without future appropriation, until expended for preservation, restoration, operation, maintenance, interpretation, public programs, and related expenses of the National Park Service or Park Partner.