STARS Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2896
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-08T11:53:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 2896: Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act (STARS Act)
Purpose
The legislation aims to celebrate the 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) of the United States by providing free access to certain public recreational sites on September 17, 2026. It directs federal agencies to waive specific fees at national parks, wildlife refuges, and other managed lands to encourage tourism and public participation in the anniversary events.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Entrance fee" refers to the cost charged for entering certain federal lands, as defined in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (a 2004 law that governs recreation fees on public lands).
- "Standard amenity recreation fee" covers charges for basic facilities like campgrounds or picnic areas at federal sites, also defined under the same act.
- Fee Waivers on September 17, 2026:
- The Secretary of the Interior must waive entrance fees at all units of the National Park System (NPS) and National Wildlife Refuge System that normally charge them, allowing free admission for all visitors.
- The Secretary of the Interior must also waive standard amenity recreation fees at sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Bureau of Reclamation that charge such fees.
- The Secretary of Agriculture must waive standard amenity recreation fees at Forest Service sites that charge them.
- These waivers apply only to the specified date and are intended to honor the U.S. semiquincentennial.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a one-time exception to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act by mandating fee waivers on a specific date. It does not permanently alter fee structures but requires federal agencies to forgo revenue from these sites for that day, overriding standard collection practices without amending the underlying law.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Department of the Interior (managing NPS, wildlife refuges, BLM, and Reclamation) and the Department of Agriculture (managing the Forest Service) may experience a temporary revenue loss from fees but could see increased visitor numbers, requiring additional staffing or resources for crowd management. It promotes broader public use of federal lands.
- On Citizens: U.S. residents and tourists gain free access to popular outdoor sites on the anniversary date, potentially boosting family outings, education about national history, and recreational opportunities, especially for those who might otherwise avoid fee-based visits.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could enhance the U.S. image as a welcoming nation during a major historical celebration, indirectly attracting international visitors to anniversary events.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Agencies: Department of the Interior (NPS, National Wildlife Refuge System, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation) and Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), responsible for implementing the waivers.
- Public Users: American citizens, families, educators, and tourists who visit these sites, benefiting from free access.
- Local Communities and Businesses: Areas near national parks or forests may see economic boosts from increased tourism, such as higher spending on lodging, food, and services.
- Bipartisan Sponsors: Senators Boozman, Padilla, Daines, Hickenlooper, and Shaheen, who introduced the bill, representing diverse regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is straightforward and aligns with Congress's authority to direct federal land management under Article IV of the Constitution (governing federal territories). It poses no conflicts with existing environmental or fee-collection laws, as the waiver is limited to one day.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it supports public access to federal lands without infringing on private rights or states' powers.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support for national unity and heritage preservation. It ties into broader semiquincentennial planning (America 250 initiatives), potentially setting a precedent for future anniversary-related policies, but its narrow scope limits controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (3 pages)