Sponsors (8)
The bill keeps National Park Service work and staffing moving by using existing appropriations and reinstating certain federal workers, but does so without new funding and with broad agency discretion—which may force internal budget shifts, reduce oversight, and create administrative or timing risks for projects and personnel decisions.
Visitors and nearby communities will get safer, better-maintained parks and protected natural/cultural resources because the bill requires NPS maintenance positions be filled and allows continuation of funded NPS projects.
Federal employees involuntarily removed or terminated between Jan 20 and Feb 25, 2025 will be reinstated, restoring jobs and incomes for those workers.
Projects funded under IIJA, GAOA, IRA, and FLREA can continue so previously appropriated dollars are used as intended, helping keep momentum on park repairs, conservation, and facility work.
Because the bill directs use of only previously appropriated funds, the Interior may need to reallocate money or delay other programs and some planned projects could remain unfunded.
Mandated reinstatement of employees could create administrative and legal complications—especially if terminations involved misconduct—potentially delaying personnel actions and increasing litigation risk.
Broad authority granted to 'the Secretary' to continue and prioritize projects may reduce specific Congressional oversight and make agency decision‑making on timing and priorities less transparent.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to use previously appropriated funds to ensure National Park Service units are fully staffed for visitor safety, enjoyment, and resource protection, to fill all NPS maintenance positions, and to reinstate any employees involuntarily removed or terminated from the NPS between January 20, 2025 and February 25, 2025. Authorizes the Secretary to continue carrying out existing NPS projects funded or authorized under four specified federal laws, without creating new funding or changing those laws. Actions must be taken "as soon as practicable" after enactment and must rely on funds already appropriated to the Secretary for these purposes.
Introduced March 11, 2025 by Mark Edward Kelly · Last progress March 11, 2025