Senate BillS 2308User charges and feesParks, recreation areas, trails
PATRIOT Parks Act
INTRO JUL 16· LAST ACTION DEC 9
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the ongoing funding needs of America's national parks. Many parks struggle with deferred maintenance and require significant resources to maintain their natural beauty and visitor infrastructure. If this bill becomes law, it could provide a substantial new stream of income, reducing reliance on taxpayer dollars or other federal appropriations for park upkeep.
Without this bill, parks would continue to rely on existing funding methods, which may not be enough to cover all their needs. If it passes, international visitors would contribute more directly to the preservation of these sites. This could mean better-maintained trails, cleaner facilities, and more staff to help visitors, enhancing the experience for everyone while ensuring these national treasures are preserved for future generations.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Allows individual national park units that charge an entrance fee to add an extra charge specifically for international visitors.
Provides a new, direct revenue source for individual park units to address local needs.
PROVISION 02
Requires an extra charge to be added to the price of annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes when sold to international visitors.
Creates a new, nationwide revenue stream for a broader fund dedicated to park restoration and maintenance.
PROVISION 03
Defines "international visitor" as non-immigrant individuals on tourist/business visas or through the Visa Waiver Program.
Clearly identifies who will be subject to the new surcharges, avoiding ambiguity.
PROVISION 04
Ensures that the extra money collected from park entrance fees stays directly with the specific national park unit where it was collected.
Allows parks to directly benefit from the fees they collect from international visitors for their immediate needs.
PROVISION 05
Directs the extra money collected from annual pass sales to the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
Contributes to a larger, dedicated fund for significant maintenance and restoration projects across the National Park System.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the ongoing funding needs of America's national parks. Many parks struggle with deferred maintenance and require significant resources to maintain their natural beauty and visitor infrastructure. If this bill becomes law, it could provide a substantial new stream of income, reducing reliance on taxpayer dollars or other federal appropriations for park upkeep.
Without this bill, parks would continue to rely on existing funding methods, which may not be enough to cover all their needs. If it passes, international visitors would contribute more directly to the preservation of these sites. This could mean better-maintained trails, cleaner facilities, and more staff to help visitors, enhancing the experience for everyone while ensuring these national treasures are preserved for future generations.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Allows individual national park units that charge an entrance fee to add an extra charge specifically for international visitors.
Provides a new, direct revenue source for individual park units to address local needs.
high
Requires an extra charge to be added to the price of annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes when sold to international visitors.
Creates a new, nationwide revenue stream for a broader fund dedicated to park restoration and maintenance.
med
Defines "international visitor" as non-immigrant individuals on tourist/business visas or through the Visa Waiver Program.
Clearly identifies who will be subject to the new surcharges, avoiding ambiguity.
high
Ensures that the extra money collected from park entrance fees stays directly with the specific national park unit where it was collected.
Allows parks to directly benefit from the fees they collect from international visitors for their immediate needs.
med
Directs the extra money collected from annual pass sales to the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
Contributes to a larger, dedicated fund for significant maintenance and restoration projects across the National Park System.
GLOSSARY
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International Visitor
A person visiting the United States from another country for tourism or business, who is not intending to permanently live in the country. This includes individuals on tourist visas or those participating in visa waiver programs.
National Park System
A collection of protected areas in the United States managed by the National Park Service, including national parks, monuments, preserves, and historic sites.
Surcharge
An extra fee added to the usual cost of a service or product.
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
A current law that allows federal agencies, like the National Park Service, to charge fees for people to use certain recreation sites and services on public lands.
Nonimmigrant individual
Someone who comes to the U.S. for a specific, temporary purpose (like tourism, study, or work) and does not intend to permanently live in the country.
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
An annual pass that provides entry to national parks and other federal recreation sites for a year from the month of purchase.
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
DEC 9, 25
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
COMMITTEE
JUL 16, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 16, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.