EQUAL Parks Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4937

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-08: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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

2026-01-28T09:05:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The EQUAL Parks Act (H.R. 4937) aims to make permanent a 2017 presidential directive by turning it into federal law. This directive focuses on increasing diversity and inclusion in the management and use of national parks, national forests, and other federal public lands and waters, ensuring broader access and participation from diverse communities.

Key Provisions

• Codification of Memorandum: The bill grants full legal force to the Presidential Memorandum issued on January 12, 2017 (published in the Federal Register at 82 Fed. Reg. 6179), which instructed federal agencies to promote diversity and inclusion.
• Agency Responsibilities: The original memorandum requires agencies like the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to develop strategies for:
• Enhancing access to public lands for underserved populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, low-income groups).
• Increasing diversity in the workforce of land management agencies.
• Supporting inclusive programs, such as outreach to urban youth and partnerships with community organizations.
• Short Title: The legislation is titled the "Expanding Quality and Universal Access to Lands and Parks Act" or "EQUAL Parks Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill transforms a non-binding presidential memorandum (an executive action that can be easily reversed by future administrations) into statutory law, making its requirements enforceable and harder to undo without congressional action.
• It does not introduce new rules but embeds the 2017 memorandum's guidelines directly into the U.S. Code, ensuring continuity regardless of changes in presidential policy.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Agencies managing public lands (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service) must integrate diversity and inclusion into operations, potentially requiring budget reallocations for training, outreach, and accessibility improvements.
• On Citizens: Could improve equitable access to recreational opportunities on public lands, benefiting underserved communities by reducing barriers like transportation costs or lack of awareness, while fostering a more inclusive national heritage experience.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. public land policies could serve as a model for global conservation efforts emphasizing equity.

Main Stakeholders

• Federal Agencies: Primarily the Department of the Interior (National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management) and Department of Agriculture (U.S. Forest Service), which oversee public lands.
• Underserved Communities: Racial and ethnic minorities, low-income families, people with disabilities, and urban residents who may gain better access to outdoor spaces.
• Environmental and Civil Rights Groups: Organizations advocating for conservation, equity, and inclusion, such as the Sierra Club or NAACP affiliates.
• Land Users: Tourists, recreation enthusiasts, and local businesses near public lands that could see increased visitation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Elevates executive guidance to binding law, potentially strengthening enforcement through courts if agencies fail to comply; aligns with existing laws like the National Park Service Organic Act but adds an equity focus.
• Constitutional: Supports equal protection principles under the 14th Amendment by promoting non-discriminatory access to public resources, without infringing on property rights or federalism.
• Political: Could face partisan debate, as it preserves an Obama-era policy amid shifting administrations; referral to multiple committees (Natural Resources, Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology) indicates broad jurisdictional review, possibly delaying passage.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-08: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-08-08: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-08-08: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-08-08: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-08-08: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Expanding Quality and Universal Access to Lands and Parks Act — issued 2025-08-08 — PDF (2 pages)