Sponsors (7)
The bill aims to increase transparency and potentially boost funding for recreational trails, especially benefiting trail users and recreation-dependent local economies, but does so at the risk of diverting limited federal transportation funds and adding administrative complexity that could spark disputes.
Trail users (hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, snowmobilers, OHV riders, etc.) and local recreation-based economies would likely see more reliable and potentially increased funding for trail development and maintenance, improving access and tourism-related economic activity.
State governments would receive clearer, standardized data on nonhighway fuel tax receipts to support reclaiming contributions for the Recreational Trails Program, enabling more accurate funding allocations and oversight.
Directing or earmarking additional Highway Trust Fund or Transportation Alternatives resources toward the Recreational Trails Program could reduce funding available for other federal highway, safety, transit, or TA-eligible projects, increasing competition and potentially delaying or cutting other transportation investments.
Requiring FHWA to estimate and report nonhighway fuel tax receipts may impose administrative burdens and create contentious or disputed estimates that prompt disagreements among states and stakeholders.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced February 27, 2025 by Amy Klobuchar · Last progress February 27, 2025
Declares findings about the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), notes that the program is funded at roughly $84 million per year while nonhighway recreational fuel taxes contribute an estimated $281 million annually to the Highway Trust Fund, and calls for funding to match those tax contributions. It requests that the Federal Highway Administration provide Congress an accurate estimate of total nonhighway fuel-tax collections at least one year before expiration of funding for Federal‑aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and states that RTP should be carried out through the Transportation Alternatives program funding stream without reducing other Federal highway programs. Also establishes an official short title for the Act. The measure is declaratory and directive in nature and does not itself appropriate funds, change tax law, or amend program authorizations.