Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6778
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T18:17:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 6778) aims to improve road safety on highways within the National Park System by authorizing the use of automated speed safety cameras. It allows revenues from fines collected via these cameras to be directly reinvested into maintaining and constructing park infrastructure, rather than being redirected to other federal funds.
Key Provisions
- Citation and Penalty Authority: The Secretary of the Interior can issue citations and impose civil penalties for vehicles caught speeding on "covered highways" (highways managed by the National Park Service within national parks). Violators receive notice and an opportunity for a hearing before penalties are assessed.
- Revenue Use: Fines from these citations can be collected and spent without needing additional congressional approval. Funds must support:
- Construction and maintenance of the affected highways and parking facilities.
- Installation, repair, and maintenance of the speed safety cameras.
- Agreements for Camera Operations: The Secretary may partner with private entities through contracts to handle the installation, repair, maintenance, or replacement of cameras.
- Compliance with State Law: Camera use must follow the traffic laws of the state where the highway is located.
- Definitions:
- Covered highway: A road managed by the Secretary within a national park unit.
- Speed safety camera: An automated device that records vehicle images for enforcement purposes (excluding handheld radar or on-scene officer tools).
- Speed safety camera citation: A ticket issued automatically by the National Park Service for violations on these highways.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill overrides a provision in the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (34 U.S.C. 20101), which typically directs certain federal fines (including traffic penalties) to a victims' compensation fund. Instead, it permits direct reinvestment of speed camera revenues into National Park System infrastructure, bypassing the need for further appropriations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The National Park Service gains a new funding stream for road and camera maintenance, potentially reducing reliance on general federal budgets and improving efficiency in park operations.
- Citizens: Drivers in national parks may face increased automated enforcement for speeding, leading to more citations and fines. This could enhance safety by deterring violations but might raise concerns about fairness or added costs for visitors.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic park management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service and Secretary of the Interior: Primary beneficiaries, with expanded authority and funding for infrastructure.
- Drivers and Visitors to National Parks: Subject to new enforcement measures and potential fines.
- States: Their traffic laws govern camera operations, ensuring local alignment.
- Private Contractors: Eligible to bid on camera-related services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal authority over park roads while requiring state law compliance, potentially reducing conflicts between federal and state enforcement. The hearing requirement upholds due process rights for cited individuals.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to manage federal lands (under the Property Clause of the Constitution), but automated cameras could spark debates on privacy (e.g., vehicle imaging) or Fourth Amendment searches, though the bill limits use to traffic enforcement.
- Political: Promotes self-sustaining park maintenance, appealing to fiscal conservatives, while emphasizing safety could garner bipartisan support. It may influence broader discussions on automated traffic enforcement in federal areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (4 pages)