Sponsors (71)
Official title: Amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 1, 2025 by Steve Daines · Last progress May 1, 2025
The bill directs more predictable, prioritized funding and new local revenue tools to repair parks faster and address safety risks, but does so by narrowing revenue sources, accelerating reviews and contracting (reducing some oversight), and shifting costs or administrative burdens onto certain visitors, partners, and businesses.
Visitors, local communities, and park managers will get more predictable, prioritized funding to fix deferred maintenance and restore facilities, reducing closures and safety risks at parks and public lands.
Certain agencies (Fish & Wildlife Service, Forest Service, BLM) and their state/local partners gain more predictable shares of Fund allocations (specified minimum percentages), helping them plan and address backlogs.
Projects that pose imminent threats to public health or safety will be prioritized, lowering immediate risk for visitors, employees, and nearby communities.
Residents, taxpayers, and local governments may receive less total funding for restoration because the bill narrows deposit sources to 'Federal onshore land' and shifts the deposit window, potentially reducing revenues compared with prior broader receipts.
Broad use of categorical exclusions and expedited NEPA increases the risk that environmental, cultural, or long‑term landscape impacts will be overlooked, affecting rural and indigenous communities and sensitive habitats.
Allowing noncompetitive contracts to States, Tribes, nonprofits, and concessioners risks reduced competition, higher costs, or favoritism if oversight is weak, which can increase costs for taxpayers and disadvantage small businesses.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Revises Legacy Restoration Fund deposit rules and allocations, defines deferred maintenance with a limited reconstruction allowance, authorizes a nonresident park surcharge through 2031, and permits Interior IP licensing with fee retention.
Makes targeted changes to how federal recreation fees and certain Interior Department revenues are collected and used, and gives the Interior Secretary new authority to license Department intellectual property. It extends and narrows deposits into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, defines what counts as deferred maintenance (including limited reconstruction of recently removed assets), and authorizes a time-limited surcharge on nonresident park visitors. It also allows the Department to charge and retain fees for licensing its intellectual property, with proceeds first covering IP costs and then flowing to the Legacy Restoration Fund unless the Fund’s statutory cap is reached.