Sponsor
Gregory Francis Murphy
Representative · R-NC
Representative · R-NC
The bill makes it easier and faster for existing lessees (and the NPS) to extend park leases and reduces regulatory uncertainty, but does so by increasing administrative discretion and potentially reducing procedural safeguards and environmental/public-interest review.
Small-business owners and current lessees can remain operating in National Park Service units because they may obtain lease extensions administratively without undergoing §§18.7/18.8 procedures.
State and local governments and NPS leaseholders face reduced administrative burden and faster decision timelines because the NPS Director can authorize extensions administratively when found in a unit's 'best interest.'
Small-business owners and local governments gain greater regulatory clarity because the Secretary is required to update part 18 of title 36 CFR within 90 days, reducing legal uncertainty for lessees and managers.
Small-business owners and the public may lose procedural protections (such as competitive processes, notice, and comment) when extensions are granted under the administrative authority instead of §§18.7/18.8.
Small-business owners and local/state governments face a risk of favoritism or inconsistent application because the NPS Director is given broad discretion to extend leases based on an undefined 'best interests' standard.
Rural communities, state governments, and park visitors may see uses extended that conflict with conservation or public-access goals if environmental or public-interest reviews in §§18.7/18.8 are bypassed.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Gives the Interior Secretary (via NPS) authority to extend qualifying long-standing National Park Service leases without following two specific regulatory extension procedures, and requires updating the regulations within 90 days.
Official title: To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend certain leases within units of the National Park System without opening the lease to bidding.
Introduced August 8, 2025 by Gregory Francis Murphy · Last progress August 8, 2025
Allows the Interior Secretary, via the National Park Service Director, to extend certain existing National Park Service leases under 36 C.F.R. part 18 without following two specific regulatory renewal/extension procedures if the lease began at least five years before the extension date, the lessee is complying with lease terms, and the Director finds the extension is in the administration’s best interests. Requires the Department of the Interior to amend the part 18 regulations to reflect this authority within 90 days of enactment.