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Adds a new paragraph (3) to 16 U.S.C. 6802(e) creating an entrance fee surcharge specifically for defined "international visitors," authorizing superintendents (with Secretary authorization) to establish and collect the surcharge, prescribing methods of collection (including third-party vendors), permitting suspension/modification and increases, specifying that the surcharge is separate from visa fees and not administered by the Secretary of State or Secretary of Homeland Security, and directing that proceeds be retained at and used for the applicable unit of the National Park System for maintenance, visitor services, staffing, and related needs.
Adds paragraph (11) to 16 U.S.C. 6804(a) requiring the Secretary to establish by regulation a surcharge on the sale of any National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to an international visitor (as defined in the added 6802(e)(3)(A)), authorizing percentage and timeframe increases by the Secretary, and directing that amounts collected be deposited in the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (54 U.S.C. 200402(a)).
Creates a new surcharge that park superintendents (with the Secretary’s approval) can add to entrance fees and to National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes when those fees or passes are sold to international visitors. The Secretary may set, change, or suspend the surcharge and must direct the surcharge revenue for maintenance and restoration work by depositing pass-surcharge proceeds into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
Defines "international visitor" as a nonimmigrant individual admitted under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(B)) or under section 217 of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1187).
For any National Park unit that charges an entrance fee, the Secretary may (or must, on the superintendent’s request) authorize the superintendent to establish a surcharge for international visitors; the superintendent sets the amount by regulation and the Secretary collects it under this paragraph.
When setting a surcharge amount, the superintendent must ensure the amount maximizes revenue for the unit while retaining international visitation to that unit.
If the unit’s entrance fee is a per-vehicle charge, the Secretary must create, by regulation, a process that lets the superintendent proportionately levy and collect the surcharge from international visitors in those cases.
A surcharge shall be collected either by the Secretary using standard entrance-fee collection methods or, if the Secretary contracts with a third-party travel vendor, by that vendor in accordance with the agreement.
Who is affected and how:
International visitors to federal parks and recreation lands: They would pay an added surcharge on entrance fees or when buying National Parks/Federal Recreational Lands Passes. The surcharge raises the out-of-pocket cost for affected visitors and could slightly change travel decisions for a small subset of travelers.
National Park Service and other federal land managers (park superintendents and administrative staff): They must implement new fee-collection procedures, verify purchaser status as an international visitor, remit surcharge receipts, and coordinate with Treasury/accounting to deposit pass-surcharge revenues to the Legacy Restoration Fund. This creates modest administrative work (systems updates, staff training, accounting).
Tourism and outdoor-recreation businesses (tour operators, concessioners, local tourism economies): May see minor indirect effects if the surcharge changes visitor behavior; likely small in most places but could be more visible at parks with high international visitation.
National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and maintenance programs: Will benefit from an additional dedicated revenue stream for backlog maintenance and restoration work, improving park infrastructure funding capacity over time as surcharge receipts accrue.
Federal budget and fund flows: The bill does not appropriate funds directly but channels surcharge receipts into a designated restoration fund; funding outcomes depend on actual surcharge collections. The Secretary’s authority to suspend or alter the surcharge provides flexibility to mitigate adverse effects on visitation or revenue shortfalls.
Overall effect: The measure is primarily a targeted user-charge policy that shifts a share of maintenance funding onto qualifying international visitors while providing agencies a controlled, earmarked revenue stream to address infrastructure needs. Administrative costs to implement and collect the surcharge are likely modest but nonzero; benefits accrue to park maintenance and restoration if collections are substantial.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced July 16, 2025 by James E. Banks · Last progress July 16, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced in Senate