Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5541

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

Last Updated

2026-06-16T16:30:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5541)

Purpose

This bill aims to permanently authorize the Every Kid Outdoors program, which provides free access to federal lands and waters (such as national parks) for eligible children and their families. By amending the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, the legislation updates eligibility criteria, expands outreach efforts, and establishes ongoing funding to ensure the program's long-term sustainability and broader reach.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility Updates: Expands the program to include fifth graders (ages 10 or 11) and home-schooled learners in that age range, replacing the previous focus on fourth graders or 10-year-old home-schooled learners.
• Program Heading Revision: Removes references to "grade four" in the subsection heading to align with the new fifth-grade focus.
• Funding Authorization: Authorizes $25,000,000 annually for the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to support the program. Funds can be used for:
• Operational and staff support, including coordination by the National Park Service.
• Promotion and distribution of program resources to schools, youth organizations, parents, and caregivers.
• Transportation services for schools and youth organizations with the greatest financial needs.
• Targeted outreach to underserved communities and children with disabilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Shifts the target age group from fourth graders to fifth graders (ages 10-11), broadening access for slightly older children.
• Makes the program's funding permanent by authorizing appropriations indefinitely, rather than relying on temporary extensions. Previously, the program had time-limited authorizations.
• Introduces specific allocations for equity-focused activities, such as transportation aid and outreach to underserved groups, which were not explicitly detailed before.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and other federal land management agencies will receive stable funding to administer the program, potentially reducing administrative burdens from recurring reauthorization efforts. This could enhance coordination across agencies for promotion and logistics.
• On Citizens: Families of fifth graders, especially in low-income, underserved, or rural areas, will gain easier access to outdoor recreation on federal lands, promoting environmental education and health benefits. Home-schooled children and those with disabilities may see improved inclusion through targeted outreach.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the program focuses on domestic access to U.S. federal lands.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Children and Families: Primarily fifth graders (ages 10-11), home-schooled learners, and their accompanying adults, who benefit from free entry passes to over 2,000 federal sites.
• Educational and Youth Organizations: Schools, youth-serving groups, and home-school networks, which gain resources for promotion and transportation support.
• Underserved Communities: Low-income families, children with disabilities, and rural or minority groups, targeted for expanded outreach to reduce access barriers.
• Federal Agencies: Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, responsible for program implementation and funding allocation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the statutory framework for public access to federal lands under conservation laws, ensuring compliance with equal access principles by emphasizing outreach to underserved populations. No challenges to existing authority are introduced.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated powers over federal lands (Article IV, Section 3) and promotes general welfare through educational and recreational opportunities, without raising First Amendment or equal protection concerns.
• Political: Bipartisan support is implied through multiple co-sponsors from diverse districts; it reinforces environmental and youth education priorities, potentially influencing future conservation funding debates by setting a precedent for permanent authorizations of popular programs.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
• 2025-09-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
• 2025-09-23: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
• 2025-09-23: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
• 2025-09-23: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
• 2025-09-23: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-09-23 — PDF (3 pages)