Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act
Sponsored By: Representative Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a dedicated Ski Area Fee Retention Account that would collect Forest Service ski-area permit rental charges and let the agency spend them without further appropriation. The bill targets local ski-area maintenance and visitor services while allowing a smaller share for broader, agency-wide recreation support and administration.
Show full summary
- Local forest units and nearby communities would keep most fees to fix and maintain trails, parking, signage, avalanche information, search and rescue, and other visitor-focused work. About 80% of charges from a covered unit go local, but that share can fall to no less than 60% if broader needs arise.
- The Forest Service would get a stable, separate funding stream for program administration, permit processing, staff training, and agency-wide recreation projects. Up to 20% of charges are available for those national activities and can be reallocated if local shares are reduced.
- Ski-area operators and visitors would likely see faster repairs and more on-the-ground services because deposited fees are available to use for four fiscal years after collection without needing new appropriations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More local funding for ski areas
If enacted, the Treasury would create a Ski Area Fee Retention Account for Forest Service permit fees. The Agriculture Secretary could spend the money without new approval, and it would stay available for four fiscal years. Generally, 80% of a unit’s fees would be spent at that unit (the Secretary could lower this to no less than 60% if local needs are already met); the other 20% could be used across the National Forest System. The local share would be split 75% for program admin, permits, staff training, visitor info, fee collection, and wildfire planning or risk reduction near recreation sites (but not stand-alone hazardous fuels reduction), and 25% for facility and trail repairs, habitat tied to recreation, law enforcement, parking, recreation permits, avalanche info, search and rescue, and certain lease administration. Any redistributed funds would follow the same 75%/25% split. This section would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Limits and safeguards on ski funds
If enacted, ski-fee money could not be used to fight wildfires or to buy land for the National Forest System. Retained fees would have to add to, not replace, regular funding for each forest unit. Existing rules that let the Forest Service recover costs for processing and monitoring permits would still apply.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
UT • R
Sponsored 2/6/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 2/6/2025
LaMalfa
CA • R
Sponsored 2/13/2025
Kiley (CA)
CA • I
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]
CO • R
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 8/8/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov