Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4604
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T21:21:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the "Protecting America's Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act," aims to generate additional revenue for the National Park System by authorizing surcharges (extra fees) on international visitors. The funds would support park maintenance, visitor services, and staffing, without imposing costs on U.S. citizens or residents.
Key Provisions
- Definition of International Visitor: Refers to nonimmigrant individuals entering the U.S. on a temporary visitor visa (B-1/B-2 for business/tourism) or under the Visa Waiver Program (allowing short stays without a visa for eligible countries).
- Entrance Fee Surcharge:
- The Secretary of the Interior may choose to impose a surcharge on entrance fees at National Park System units, or must do so if requested by the park's superintendent.
- The surcharge amount is set by the superintendent via regulations, designed to maximize revenue while keeping international tourism levels steady.
- For parks with per-vehicle entrance fees, a fair method must be created to apply the surcharge to international visitors (e.g., based on vehicle occupants).
- Collection occurs through standard park methods or agreements with third-party travel vendors (like tour operators).
- The Secretary can suspend, modify (e.g., tiered pricing based on crowd levels), or require minimum increases to the surcharge.
- Surcharges are separate from any U.S. visa fees and are not managed by the Departments of State or Homeland Security.
- All proceeds stay with the specific park for uses like maintenance, staffing, and visitor services, as decided by the Secretary.
- Exceptions to Surcharge:
- No surcharge applies to the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
- No surcharge for citizens of countries with formal agreements (Memoranda of Understanding) for "International Peace Parks" designated by Congress, when entering from U.S. points.
- Surcharge on Recreation Passes:
- A surcharge applies to the purchase of National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes (annual or lifetime entry passes) by international visitors.
- The Secretary sets the surcharge amount and can adjust it periodically.
- Proceeds go to the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for broader park restoration efforts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 803(e) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(e)) by adding a new paragraph authorizing the entrance fee surcharge for international visitors, including collection rules, exceptions, and fund allocation.
- Amends Section 805(a) of the same Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)) by adding a provision for surcharges on recreation passes sold to international visitors, directing funds to a dedicated restoration fund under title 54 of the U.S. Code.
- These changes expand the Secretary's fee-collection authority beyond standard entrance fees, targeting only non-U.S. visitors to create a new revenue stream without altering fees for domestic users.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The National Park Service (under the Department of the Interior) gains flexibility to boost funding for park operations and upkeep, potentially reducing reliance on general taxpayer dollars. It may increase administrative work for setting and collecting surcharges.
- On Citizens: U.S. residents and citizens face no new fees, preserving affordable access to parks; indirect benefits include better-maintained facilities from added revenue.
- On International Visitors: Could raise entry costs (exact amounts vary by park), possibly discouraging some tourism if surcharges are high, though the law requires balancing revenue with sustained visitation.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct effects, but exceptions for certain foreign nationals (via peace park agreements) promote goodwill with partner countries; overall, it may subtly influence tourism flows without broader diplomatic shifts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service and Park Superintendents: Directly responsible for implementing, collecting, and using surcharge funds.
- International Tourists: Bear the extra costs, particularly those from visa-waiver countries or temporary visa holders.
- Third-Party Travel Vendors: May partner in fee collection, gaining opportunities but also responsibilities.
- U.S. Taxpayers and Domestic Visitors: Indirectly benefit from enhanced park resources without additional personal costs.
- Foreign Governments: Those with International Peace Park agreements see exemptions for their nationals, fostering bilateral cooperation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the federal government's authority to set differential fees for public lands under existing recreation laws, ensuring surcharges are distinct from immigration-related fees to avoid overlap with State or Homeland Security jurisdictions. Proceeds are ring-fenced (restricted to specific uses), promoting accountability.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's power to regulate federal lands and commerce, treating surcharges as user fees rather than taxes, which avoids equal protection issues for U.S. citizens.
- Political: Positions the bill as a targeted way to fund national treasures through foreign tourism revenue, potentially appealing across party lines for park conservation; however, it could spark debate on fairness to international visitors or tourism economics if surcharges deter global travel to U.S. sites.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (8 pages)