Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 105
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-02-12T15:12:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act (H.R. 105) aims to enhance public access to recreational areas on federal lands by allocating more funds toward improving fee collection systems. This would make it easier for visitors to pay entrance or use fees, potentially reducing barriers to entry for parks, forests, and other public lands managed by federal agencies.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the "Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act."
- Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies subsection (c) of section 200306 in title 54 of the United States Code, which governs the Recreational Fee Program under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). This program allows federal land managers to collect fees for recreational activities and use them for maintenance and improvements.
- Increases the cap on funds available for fee payment systems (such as online portals, credit card machines, or other collection methods) from the lesser of 3% of total collected fees or $15 million per fiscal year, to the lesser of 10% of total collected fees or $50 million per fiscal year.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Higher Funding Limit: The previous law limited spending on fee collection infrastructure to a small portion (3% or $15 million) to ensure most fees went directly to on-site improvements like trails or facilities. This bill raises that limit significantly, allowing up to 10% or $50 million for modernizing payment options without needing additional congressional approval for each expenditure.
- No other substantive changes are made; the focus is narrowly on expanding resources for administrative tools related to fee collection.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies like the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could invest more in efficient payment technologies, potentially reducing administrative burdens and increasing overall fee revenue through easier access.
- On Citizens: Visitors to federal recreational sites may experience smoother entry processes (e.g., better digital payments), leading to broader public use of lands. However, it could indirectly raise costs if more fees are collected due to improved systems.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced access might appeal to international tourists, indirectly supporting U.S. tourism promotion.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Land Management Agencies: Primary beneficiaries, as they administer the fee program and would gain flexibility in budgeting for payment infrastructure.
- Public Visitors and Recreation Users: Individuals, families, and outdoor enthusiasts who use federal lands for activities like hiking, camping, or fishing; improved access could benefit underserved or remote communities.
- Taxpayers and Congress: Indirectly affected through potential shifts in how recreation fees (a non-tax revenue source) are allocated, possibly reducing the need for separate appropriations.
- Environmental and Recreation Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on public land access (e.g., outdoor nonprofits) may support it, while conservation groups might monitor to ensure fees still prioritize habitat protection.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the FLREA framework without altering its core fee authority, avoiding challenges to federal property management powers under Article IV of the Constitution (which gives Congress authority over federal territories). No new regulatory burdens are imposed.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) by adjusting internal allocations within an existing program, promoting equal access to public resources without favoring any group.
- Political: Could appeal to bipartisan interests in public land stewardship and economic benefits from recreation (e.g., tourism jobs), but might face debate over diverting funds from direct site improvements. As an introduced bill in the 119th Congress, its passage depends on committee review and floor votes, potentially influencing broader debates on federal land policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)