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119-s-2498119th CongressWALLET

National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act

Sponsored By: Senator Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

Passed Senate

Summary

This bill would create two lease tools to unlock private capital for park projects, most notably by allowing long-term redevelopment leases (up to 99 years) for projects costing more than $100 million. It also lets the Park Service extend certain existing concessions leases under a controlled, competitive review to encourage longer-term investments in park infrastructure.

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  • Park visitors and infrastructure — Makes it easier to attract private capital for major redevelopment by permitting leases up to 99 years for projects over $100 million.
  • Existing concessionaires and operators — Operators who signed leases at least five years earlier could receive extensions without full rebidding, but only after a minimum 60-day public notice and a competitive review that compares rival proposals, planned capital investment, and service quality.
  • Oversight and compliance — Extensions longer than 10 years and leases longer than 60 years trigger Congressional notification and waiting periods. Each extension requires a mid-term compliance review and can be terminated and re-leased if the operator fails to meet lease terms.

*Does not authorize new spending or new taxes and relies on existing regulatory authorities.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Longer park leases for businesses

If enacted, businesses that lease National Park Service property could get extensions without the usual rebidding. An extension would only be allowed if the lease was signed at least 5 years earlier and the lessee is following all terms. The Secretary would also need to find that the extension is in the park unit’s best interest. For major redevelopment, the Secretary would be able to offer new leases up to 99 years when project costs are expected to exceed $100,000,000. These authorities would start upon enactment.

More competition and oversight on park leases

If enacted, before extending a lease the Secretary would post at least 60 days of notice inviting letters of interest. The Secretary would compare replies to the incumbent’s terms, planned investment, and visitor services. If a better offer exists, the Secretary would deny the extension and run a competitive bid. For extensions longer than 10 years, the Secretary would wait at least 30 days after sending the plan to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee. For new leases longer than 60 years, the Secretary would wait at least 60 days after sending that notice to those committees. At the midpoint of any extended term, NPS would file a report on rent, maintenance, insurance, and allowed uses. The Secretary would decide within 60 days and could end the extension for cause and re-lease the property.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/29/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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