Sponsors (7)
The bill increases and redirects fuel‑tax‑linked funding to expand and improve recreational trails and transparency, while risking reduced highway/transit resources and adding administrative complexity.
Millions of recreational users (hikers, bikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, ATV riders, etc.) would gain improved access and safer, better‑maintained trails because RTP funding would increase if tied to nonhighway fuel‑tax receipts.
State and local governments would receive increased and more predictable funding for trail development and maintenance, improving planning and project delivery for trail infrastructure.
State governments, taxpayers, and the public would get better transparency and accountability because FHWA must estimate nonhighway fuel tax receipts, helping ensure federal user fees are returned for recreation purposes.
Taxpayers, highway users, and transportation-dependent communities could experience reduced funding for highway, safety, or transit programs if increased RTP allocations tied to fuel‑tax receipts divert resources from the Highway Trust Fund.
Local governments and some communities could face delays or reduced funding for non‑trail transportation projects because shifting RTP into the Transportation Alternatives program may reallocate competitive funds and complicate project eligibility.
Federal and state agencies would incur increased administrative workload and upfront costs to estimate, report, and reallocate nonhighway fuel‑tax receipts, creating new compliance and tracking burdens.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs FHWA to report total nonhighway recreation fuel-tax receipts and urges that Recreational Trails Program funding be aligned with those user-paid tax contributions, using Transportation Alternatives funds.
Requires the Federal Highway Administration to report estimated total nonhighway recreation fuel-tax receipts and directs that the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) receive funding that reflects those user-paid fuel-tax contributions. It also states that RTP activities should be carried out using funds made available under the Transportation Alternatives program without reducing other Federal highway programs. Explains findings about the RTP: it supports trail development and maintenance for many user groups, is financed by a federal fuel tax on nonhighway recreational fuel, and currently receives less funding than the fuel-tax receipts attributable to nonhighway recreation users. The measure asks for an accurate estimate of those receipts at least one year before key highway/transit funding expirations so Congress can consider appropriate funding levels.
Introduced February 27, 2025 by Amy Klobuchar · Last progress February 27, 2025