[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6492 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.6492
One Hundred Eighteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-four
An Act
To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access
to, Federal public land, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Public
Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act'' or the ``EXPLORE Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--OUTDOOR RECREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Subtitle A--Outdoor Recreation Policy
Sec. 111. Congressional declaration of policy.
Sec. 112. Identifying opportunities for recreation.
Sec. 113. Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation.
Sec. 114. Recreation budget crosscut.
Subtitle B--Public Recreation on Federal Recreational Lands and Waters
Sec. 121. Biking on long-distance trails.
Sec. 122. Protecting America's rock climbing.
Sec. 123. Range access.
Sec. 124. Restoration of overnight campsites.
Sec. 125. Federal interior land media.
Sec. 126. Cape and antler preservation enhancement.
Sec. 127. Motorized and nonmotorized access.
Sec. 128. Aquatic resource activities assistance.
Subtitle C--Supporting Gateway Communities and Addressing Park
Overcrowding
Sec. 131. Gateway communities.
Sec. 132. Improved recreation visitation data.
Sec. 133. Monitoring for improved recreation decision making.
Subtitle D--Broadband Connectivity on Federal Recreational Lands and
Waters
Sec. 141. Connect Our Parks.
Sec. 142. Broadband internet connectivity at developed recreation sites.
Sec. 143. Public lands telecommunications cooperative agreements.
Subtitle E--Public-Private Parks Partnerships
Sec. 151. Authorization for lease of forest service administrative
sites.
Sec. 152. Partnership agreements creating tangible savings.
Sec. 153. Partnership agreements to modernize federally owned
campgrounds, resorts, cabins, and visitor centers on Federal
recreational lands and waters.
Sec. 154. Parking and Restroom opportunities for Federal recreational
lands and waters.
Sec. 155. Pay-for-performance projects.
Sec. 156. Outdoor recreation legacy partnership program.
Sec. 157. American battlefield protection program enhancement.
TITLE II--ACCESS AMERICA
Sec. 201. Definitions.
Subtitle A--Access for People With Disabilities
Sec. 211. Accessible recreation inventory.
Sec. 212. Trail inventory.
Sec. 213. Trail pilot program.
Sec. 214. Accessible trails.
Sec. 215. Accessible recreation opportunities.
Sec. 216. Assistive technology.
Sec. 217. Savings clause.
Subtitle B--Military and Veterans in Parks
Sec. 221. Promotion of outdoor recreation for military servicemembers
and veterans.
Sec. 222. Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons.
Sec. 223. Partnerships to promote military and veteran recreation.
Sec. 224. National strategy for military and veteran recreation.
Sec. 225. Recreation resource advisory committees.
Sec. 226. Career and volunteer opportunities for veterans.
Subtitle C--Youth Access
Sec. 231. Increasing youth recreation visits to Federal land.
Sec. 232. Every Kid Outdoors Act extension.
TITLE III--SIMPLIFYING OUTDOOR ACCESS FOR RECREATION
Sec. 301. Definitions.
Subtitle A--Modernizing Recreation Permitting
Sec. 311. Special recreation permit and fee.
Sec. 312. Permitting process improvements.
Sec. 313. Permit flexibility.
Sec. 314. Permit administration.
Sec. 315. Service First Initiative; Permits for multijurisdictional
trips.
Sec. 316. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management temporary special
recreation permits for outfitting and guiding.
Sec. 317. Reviews for long-term permits.
Sec. 318. Adjustment of allocated visitor-use days.
Sec. 319. Liability.
Sec. 320. Cost recovery reform.
Sec. 321. Availability of Federal, State, and local recreation passes.
Sec. 322. Online purchases and establishment of a digital version of
America the Beautiful--The National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Passes.
Sec. 323. Savings provision.
Subtitle B--Making Recreation a Priority
Sec. 331. Extension of seasonal recreation opportunities.
Subtitle C--Maintenance of Public Land
Sec. 341. Volunteers in the National Forests and Public Lands Act.
Sec. 342. Reference.
Subtitle D--Recreation Not Red Tape
Sec. 351. Good neighbor authority for recreation.
Sec. 352. Permit relief for picnic areas.
Sec. 353. Interagency report on special recreation permits for
underserved communities.
Sec. 354. Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act amendments.
Sec. 355. Savings provision.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Federal land management agency.--The term ``Federal land
management agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 802
of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801).
(2) Federal recreational lands and waters.--The term ``Federal
recreational lands and waters'' has the meaning given the term in
section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16
U.S.C. 6801).
(3) Gateway community.--The term ``gateway community'' means a
community that serves as an entry point, or is adjacent, to a
recreation destination on Federal recreational lands and waters or
non-Federal land at which there is consistently high, in the
determination of the Secretaries, seasonal or year-round
visitation.
(4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning
given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(5) Land use plan.--The term ``land use plan'' means--
(A) a land use plan prepared by the Secretary pursuant to
section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712); and
(B) a land management plan prepared by the Forest Service
for a unit of the National Forest Service pursuant to section 6
of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
(6) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means each of--
(A) the Secretary; and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(8) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
means--
(A) the Secretary, with respect to land under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary; or
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land
managed by the Forest Service.
(9) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United
States.
TITLE I--OUTDOOR RECREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Subtitle A--Outdoor Recreation Policy
SEC. 111. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY.
Congress declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government
to foster and encourage recreation on Federal recreational lands and
waters, to the extent consistent with the laws applicable to specific
areas of Federal recreational lands and waters, including multiple-use
mandates and land management planning requirements.
SEC. 112. IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION.
(a) Inventory and Assessments.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned shall--
(A) conduct an inventory and assessment of recreation
resources for Federal recreational lands and waters;
(B) develop the inventory and assessment with support from
public comment; and
(C) update the inventory and assessment as the Secretary
concerned determines appropriate.
(2) Unique recreation values.--An inventory and assessment
conducted under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) recognize--
(i) any unique recreation values and recreation
opportunities; and
(ii) areas of concentrated recreational use; and
(B) identify, list, and map recreation resources by--
(i) type of recreation opportunity and type of natural
or artificial recreation infrastructure;
(ii) to the extent available, the level of use of the
recreation resource as of the date of the inventory; and
(iii) identifying, to the extent practicable, any trend
relating to recreation opportunities or use at a recreation
resource identified under subparagraph (A).
(3) Assessments.--For any recreation resource inventoried under
paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall assess--
(A) the maintenance needs of, and expenses necessary to
administer, the recreation resource;
(B) the suitability for developing, expanding, or enhancing
the recreation resource; and
(C) the adequacy of the current management of the
recreation resource.
(b) Existing Efforts.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary
concerned shall use or incorporate existing applicable research and
planning decisions and processes in carrying out this section.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 200103 of title 54, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) as
subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively.
SEC. 113. FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON OUTDOOR RECREATION.
(a) Definitions.--Section 200102 of title 54, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (4)
and (5) respectively; and
(2) by inserting before paragraph (4), as so redesignated, the
following:
``(1) Council.--The term `Council' means the Federal
Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation established under section
200104.
``(2) Federal land and water management agency.--The term
`Federal land and water management agency' means the National Park
Service, Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest
Service, Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
``(3) Federal recreational lands and waters.--The term `Federal
recreational lands and waters' has the meaning given the term in
section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16
U.S.C. 6801) and also includes Federal lands and waters managed by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Corps of Engineers, or National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.''.
(b) Establishment of Council.--Section 200104 of title 54, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 200104. Federal interagency council on outdoor recreation
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an interagency
council, to be known as the `Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor
Recreation'.
``(b) Composition.--
``(1) In general.--The Council shall be composed of
representatives of each of the following agencies, to be appointed
by the head of the respective agency:
``(A) The National Park Service.
``(B) The Bureau of Land Management.
``(C) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
``(D) The Bureau of Indian Affairs.
``(E) The Bureau of Reclamation.
``(F) The Forest Service.
``(G) The Army Corps of Engineers.
``(H) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
``(2) Additional participants.--In addition to the members of
the Council appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary may invite
participation in the Council's meetings or other activities from
representatives of the following:
``(A) The Council on Environmental Quality.
``(B) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
``(C) Rural development programs of the Department of
Agriculture.
``(D) The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion.
``(E) The Environmental Protection Agency.
``(F) The Department of Transportation, including the
Federal Highway Administration.
``(G) The Tennessee Valley Authority.
``(H) The Department of Commerce, including--
``(i) the Bureau of Economic Analysis;
``(ii) the National Travel and Tourism Office; and
``(iii) the Economic Development Administration.
``(I) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
``(J) An applicable State agency or office.
``(K) An applicable agency or office of a local government.
``(L) Other organizations or interests, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(3) State coordination.--In determining additional
participants under this subsection, the Secretary shall seek to
ensure that States are invited and represented in the Council's
meetings or other activities.
``(4) Leadership.--The leadership of the Council shall rotate
every 2 years among the Council members appointed under paragraph
(1), or as otherwise determined by the Secretary in consultation
with the Secretaries of Agriculture, Defense, and Commerce.
``(5) Funding.--Notwithstanding section 708 of title VII of
division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law
117-328), the Council members appointed under paragraph (1) may
enter into agreements to share the management and operational costs
of the Council.
``(c) Coordination.--The Council shall meet as frequently as
appropriate for the purposes of coordinating on issues related to
outdoor recreation, including--
``(1) recreation programs and management policies across
Federal land and water management agencies, including activities
associated with the implementation of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.), as appropriate;
``(2) the response by Federal land and water management
agencies to public health emergencies or other emergencies,
including those that result in disruptions to, or closures of,
Federal recreational lands and waters;
``(3) investments relating to outdoor recreation on Federal
recreational lands and waters, including funds made available under
section 40804(b)(7) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
(16 U.S.C. 6592a(b)(7));
``(4) management of emerging technologies on Federal
recreational lands and waters;
``(5) research activities, including quantifying the economic
impacts of recreation;
``(6) dissemination to the public of recreation-related
information, in a manner that ensures the recreation-related
information is easily accessible with modern communication devices;
``(7) the improvement of access to Federal recreational lands
and waters; and
``(8) the identification and engagement of partners outside the
Federal Government--
``(A) to promote outdoor recreation;
``(B) to facilitate collaborative management of outdoor
recreation; and
``(C) to provide additional resources relating to enhancing
outdoor recreation opportunities; and
``(9) any other outdoor recreation-related issues that the
Council determines necessary.
``(d) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects the authorities,
regulations, or policies of any Federal agency described in paragraph
(1) or (2) of subsection (b).''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 2001 of
title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating
to section 200104 and inserting the following:
``200104. Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation''.
SEC. 114. RECREATION BUDGET CROSSCUT.
Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning
with fiscal year 2025, the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget shall submit to Congress and make public online a report that
describes and itemizes the total amount of funding relating to outdoor
recreation that was obligated in the preceding fiscal year in accounts
in the Treasury for the Department of the Interior and the Department
of Agriculture.
Subtitle B--Public Recreation on Federal Recreational Lands and Waters
SEC. 121. BIKING ON LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS.
(a) Identification of Long-Distance Trails.--Not later than 18
months after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretaries
shall identify--
(1) not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make use
of trails and roads in existence on the date of the enactment of
this title; and
(2) not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to
develop or complete a trail that would qualify as a long-distance
bike trail.
(b) Public Comment.--The Secretaries shall--
(1) develop a process to allow members of the public to comment
regarding the identification of trails and areas under subsection
(a); and
(2) consider the identification, development, and completion of
long-distance bike trails in a geographically equitable manner.
(c) Maps, Signage, and Promotional Materials.--For any long-
distance bike trail identified under subsection (a), the Secretary
concerned may--
(1) publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue
promotional materials; and
(2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-Federal
resources necessary for the stewardship, development, or completion
of trails.
(d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this title, the Secretaries, in partnership with interested
organizations, shall prepare and publish a report that lists the trails
identified under subsection (a), including a summary of public comments
received in accordance with the process developed under subsection (b).
(e) Conflict Avoidance With Other Uses.--Before identifying a long-
distance bike trail under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall
ensure the long-distance bike trail--
(1) minimizes conflict with--
(A) the uses, before the date of the enactment of this
title, of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance
bike trail;
(B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback
riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on
the date of the enactment of this title;
(C) the purposes for which any trail was or is established
under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.);
and
(D)