Lanier Parks Local Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4432

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Water Resources Development

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Last Updated

2025-09-12T19:50:10Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Lanier Parks Local Access Act" (H.R. 4432) aims to provide greater flexibility in how user fees—charges collected from visitors at recreation areas—are used for maintenance and operations. It targets recreation sites managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at federal water projects, such as lakes and dams, to improve overall management without restricting funds to a single location.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 225 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (codified at 33 U.S.C. 2328), which governs a "challenge cost-sharing program." This program allows non-federal partners (like local governments or organizations) to contribute funds or resources for recreation facility management in exchange for using collected fees.
• Specifically updates subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii) to broaden the scope of fee usage.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Under current law, user fees collected at a specific recreation site can only be spent on facilities at that exact site.
• The bill changes this by allowing those fees to be used at any recreation site or facility within the broader "civil works project" (a federal water resource project, like a reservoir system) where the fee was originally collected. This shifts from a narrow, site-specific restriction to a project-wide approach, enabling more efficient allocation of funds.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could better maintain and upgrade recreation facilities across an entire project, potentially reducing administrative burdens and improving resource distribution without needing additional federal funding.
• On Citizens: Visitors to recreation areas, such as parks around lakes, may benefit from enhanced facilities and services (e.g., better trails, boat ramps, or picnic areas) that span multiple sites, promoting safer and more accessible outdoor experiences. Local communities near projects like Lake Lanier in Georgia could see improved public access and economic boosts from tourism.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic policy focused on U.S. water infrastructure.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Primary federal agency responsible for managing civil works projects and collecting/using these fees.
• Non-Federal Partners: Local governments, park districts, or nonprofits that collaborate with the Corps under the cost-sharing program and rely on fee revenues.
• Recreation Users and Local Communities: Individuals and families who use federal recreation sites for activities like boating, hiking, or fishing, particularly in areas like Lake Lanier; this could indirectly support tourism-dependent economies.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: This is a minor, technical amendment that clarifies and expands fee usage under existing authority, without creating new programs or imposing mandates. It aligns with federal laws on water resource management but could require updated guidance from the Corps to implement.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it involves Congress's spending power over federal projects and does not affect individual rights or state sovereignty.
• Political: The bill, introduced by Representatives Clyde and McCormick, reflects bipartisan interest in supporting local recreation access and efficient federal fund use. Naming it after "Lanier Parks" suggests a focus on specific regional needs (e.g., Lake Lanier in Georgia), potentially aiding political support for infrastructure maintenance amid budget constraints.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
• 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-07-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Lanier Parks Local Access Act — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (2 pages)