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118-hr-6492118th CongressWALLET

EXPLORE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]

Became Law

Summary

Expanding and modernizing public recreation on federal lands. This law sets up an interagency council and reporting, builds and maps trails and ranges, upgrades accessibility, brings broadband to parks, tightens filming rules, and streamlines permits to make outdoor visits easier and safer.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

23 provisions identified: 18 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

More accessible outdoor recreation

Each agency must select sites within 1 year to create at least two new accessible recreation opportunities per region. Projects must follow accessibility laws where practical. Agencies publish an interim report in 3 years and a final report in 7 years. They can partner to offer assistive technology on public lands.

More camping in Ouachita Forest

Within 6 months, the Forest Service must identify 54 areas for overnight camping. Within 2 years, it must set up at least 27 campsites, with at least 8 having electric and water hookups. Qualifying existing campsites must reopen within 30 days, and specific day‑use areas must be fixed within 1 year. All campsites must be outside the 1% annual flood elevation.

Help for gateway community businesses

USDA, with Interior and Commerce, provides training, technical help, low‑interest loans, and loan guarantees to businesses in gateway communities. Support can help hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and other visitor services manage sustainable visitation. Agencies can form public‑private partnerships to deliver this help.

Better visitor data and maps

Agencies must publish consistent visitor totals for each recreation unit starting one year after the law. A real‑time visitation pilot must begin within 5 years. Agencies will inventory recreation resources, map motorized access within 5 years, and map over‑snow use within 10 years, with reviews every 20 years. The law also updates access language so duties are mandatory and apply across agencies.

Broader broadband and cell in parks

Agencies must plan for broadband at developed recreation sites and work with Commerce. The Park Service must assess needs in 1 year and make a 3‑year plan for broadband (aiming for at least 100/20 Mbps where addressed) and cellular, while protecting views and resources. Interior also gains authority for cooperative agreements to manage and expand communications sites and must study rental fee retention within 1 year. Work depends on available funding.

Grants for parks in underserved areas

The law funds park and outdoor projects in qualifying low‑income areas. Grant recipients must match at least 100% of the grant, and no more than 7% can cover admin costs. Funds cannot pay for indoor facilities or certain land closing costs. States that receive these grants must file annual reports within 30 days after each period and a final report within 90 days after the project ends.

More parking and cleaner restrooms

Agencies must seek to add or improve parking at recreation sites and can partner with states, Tribes, locals, or private groups. They must avoid harming key wildlife habitat and follow land plans. Agencies must also improve the function and cleanliness of restrooms and report to Congress within 2 years on problems and fixes.

State, Tribal, and local partnerships

Agencies can partner with Governors, Tribes, counties, and nonprofits to repair trails, campgrounds, visitor centers, and access roads. Timber sale funds kept by partners under these agreements can pay for restoration and recreation work; this revenue rule ends October 1, 2028. The Park Service can also share services and co‑locate with nearby eligible entities on a reimbursable basis. NEPA decisions stay with the federal agency.

Easier permits for outfitters and guides

The law streamlines special recreation permits. Agencies must acknowledge a complete application within 60 days and give a final or projected decision date. A temporary two‑year permit program starts within 180 days, and a multijurisdiction pilot launches within 2 years (at least 10 sets of permits issued within 4 years). Permit holders can do substantially similar activities under one permit, and agencies cannot require a needs assessment (except where the Wilderness Act demands it). Small outfitters (fewer than 40 customers) do not need a permit just to access a picnic area if the public does not need one. After use reviews, yearly visitor‑use days reset: up to 125% of your busiest year (not above the original cap) for satisfactory performance, or up to 100% if not. Agencies may charge reasonable admin fees with an hourly de minimis threshold and must use NEPA tiering; within 2 years they must review and update categorical exclusions.

Liability and insurance rules for permits

Agencies can require permit holders to carry liability insurance that fits the activity’s risk and name the U.S. as an additional insured. Low‑risk activities are exempt. States that cannot indemnify the U.S. by law are not forced to if they carry minimum insurance. Agencies cannot ban exculpatory agreements that follow state law and federal limits, and must align those policies within 2 years.

Campground upgrades and pay‑for‑performance

Eligible partners can enter up to 30‑year agreements to improve and run existing federal campgrounds and similar sites. Within 3 years, the partner must deposit, escrow, or spend at least $500,000 of anticipated receipts for the term; structures become U.S. property and decommissioning costs fall on the partner. A pay‑for‑performance pilot funds recreation projects on National Forest land, with each project capped at $15,000,000; USDA can cover up to 50% if it speeds or saves the project. Funds are kept in a special Treasury account for these projects.

Veterans: info on outdoor access

Within 2 years, agencies must create materials for servicemembers and veterans. The materials cover free access, accessible trails, assistive technology, volunteer and wellness programs, health benefits of time outdoors, guided trip resources, and national service jobs.

Volunteer support and legal protections

Agencies can recruit and train unpaid volunteers for trails, visitor services, and conservation. Volunteers can get travel, uniforms, lodging, training, equipment, and meals covered as incidental expenses. Volunteers are not federal employees, but they have protections for tort claims, some injury compensation, and certain property claims. Agencies cannot require volunteer liability insurance.

Digital recreation passes by 2026

You can buy a digital National Parks and Federal Lands Pass by January 1, 2026. Free and discounted passes must be available digitally and work on your phone right after purchase. Agencies can take online payments for entrance, amenity, and permit fees. They are encouraged to let you buy federal, state, and local passes in one checkout, with funds sent to the right agency by fiscal year end.

More outdoor access and jobs for veterans

Interior, Agriculture, and VA each name a veterans outdoor recreation liaison within one year. The interagency council publishes a strategy with goals, cost estimates, and a chance for public comment in one year, with updates every five years. Agencies can partner to host events and help with assistive technology. Interior runs a pilot to hire veterans in conservation jobs. Interior must brief Congress 60 days after enactment, again within one year of the pilot start, and file a final report within 30 days after the pilot ends; the pilot authority ends two years after it starts.

Up to 100-year Forest Service housing leases

The Forest Service can lease administrative sites for homes, including multiunit housing, for up to 100 years. A lease can be reauthorized if the use stays authorized, matches the land plan, and the tenant follows the lease. Reauthorization may include new terms set by the Chief. Statutory sunset dates move from 2023 to 2028.

Agency coordination and spending transparency

Starting in FY2024, land agencies can jointly plan, permit, lease, and share staff and funds under a Service First program. They must report to Congress each year. Starting in FY2025, OMB must post a yearly report within 30 days after each fiscal year ends showing how much Interior and Agriculture obligated for outdoor recreation.

Battlefield restoration and updates

The law expands who can receive battlefield preservation help. It creates restoration grants for Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War sites listed in the Battlefield Reports and outside national parks. The Secretary must update the Battlefield Reports within 2 years and every 10 years after.

Stronger boat inspection and grants

Agencies can inspect and clean boats on federal waters to stop invasive species while minimizing delays for clean boats. The law creates a grant program for inspection stations at Reclamation projects if Congress funds it. The federal share of a project’s cost, including staff, cannot be more than 75%. Agencies cannot deny access just because there is no inspection station.

Veterans added to fee committees

The law changes who sits on recreation fee advisory committees and adds veterans organizations. Member counts are adjusted to give veterans a clear voice.

Recreation site fees stay and get used locally

Fees collected at a federal recreation site now stay with that same site. The money can be spent on recreation needs there without a new appropriation.

Expanded rules on animal parts

The law expands wording so it covers meat and any other part of an animal removed under authority. This broadens what is regulated for hunters and recreational users.

Simpler rules for small film crews

Filming or photos with fewer than 6 people that meet the rules do not need a permit. Groups of 6 to 8 get a free, automatic de minimis OK. Larger or riskier shoots can require a permit and reasonable fees based on days, crew, and gear. Agencies recover review costs and can spend collected fees.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]

AR • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

    GU • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Peltola, Mary Sattler [D-AK-At Large]

    AK • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Carl, Jerry L. [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

    AS • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-47]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]

    MP • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 11/29/2023

  • Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Resident Commissioner González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]

    PR • R

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Rep. Duarte, John S. [R-CA-13]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/4/2023

  • Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/6/2023

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/14/2023

  • Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2024

  • Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/10/2024

  • Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 1/18/2024

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2024

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2024

  • Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2024

  • Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2024

  • Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 2/13/2024

  • Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 2/14/2024

  • Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 2/23/2024

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2024

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2024

  • Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 3/19/2024

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2024

  • Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 3/29/2024

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/29/2024

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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