108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3283
To improve recreational facilities and visitor opportunities on Federal
recreational lands by reinvesting receipts from fair and consistent recreational
fees and passes, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 8, 2003
Mr. REGULA (for himself, Mr. WAMP, Mr. SHERWOOD, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. PETRI, Mr.
PETERSON of Pennsylvania, and Mr. HOBSON) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee
on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned
A BILL
To improve recreational facilities and visitor opportunities on Federal
recreational lands by reinvesting receipts from fair and consistent recreational
fees and passes, 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 AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
Act'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes and principles.
Sec. 4. General recreation fee authority.
Sec. 5. Basic recreation fee.
Sec. 6. Expanded recreation fee.
Sec. 7. Special recreation permit fee.
Sec. 8. General recreation pass authority.
Sec. 9. America the Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass.
Sec. 10. Other recreation passes.
Sec. 11. Miscellaneous administrative provisions regarding recreation fees
and recreation passes.
Sec. 13. Special accounts and distribution of recreation fees and recreation
pass revenues.
Sec. 14. Expenditures from special accounts.
Sec. 15. Enforcement and protection of receipts.
Sec. 16. Repeal of superseded admission and use fee authorities.
Sec. 17. Relation to other laws and fee collection authorities.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES.
(a) PURPOSES- The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to enhance visitor opportunities regarding Federal public lands by creating
a seamless Federal system of recreation opportunities;
(2) to enhance the visitor experience by investing recreation fees in improving
recreation opportunities regarding Federal public lands;
(3) to reduce the huge deferred maintenance backlog that adversely affects
visitor use and enjoyment of Federal recreational facilities and lands,
by focused use of visitor fee revenues;
(4) to help protect and enhance the natural resource, historic, cultural,
and other special values of Federal public lands and National Parks that
attract hundreds of millions of visitors every year;
(5) to establish a permanent recreation fee program that allows the fees
to be used primarily at the site of collection;
(6) to establish a permanent recreation fee program so that important investments
in technology may be made;
(7) to streamline, simplify, and improve the recreation fee program; and
(8) to streamline, simplify, and improve the interagency national recreation
pass program.
(b) PRINCIPLES- The following principles apply to the recreation fee program
authorized by this Act:
(1) BENEFICIAL TO THE VISITING PUBLIC- A majority of the revenue generated
by recreation fees should be retained and used at the site where the fees
are collected to benefit the visiting public by enhancing the resources,
facilities, activities, services, and programs used by the visiting public.
Recreation fees should be designed to provide the sites with adequate resources
to enhance and supply visitor services, reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance,
and restore and enhance impacted or endangered resources.
(2) FAIR AND EQUITABLE- Recreation fees should also be affordable for the
visiting public and not significantly impact visitation levels. Recreation
fees should be reasonable and based on a consistent and sound rationale.
Recreation fee systems should consider and address the relationship between
who pays the fee and who benefits from the resources, facilities, activities,
services, and programs provided by a recreation program.
(3) EFFICIENT- Recreation fees should be collected and administered in a
cost efficient, enforceable, and business-like manner.
(4) COLLABORATIVE- Recreation fees should be developed with input from local
communities and other interested persons. Wherever possible or appropriate,
Federal land management agencies should coordinate fees with private entities
and local, State, and other Federal agencies so as to minimize overlapping
costs and simplify fees for the visiting public.
(5) CONVENIENT- Recreation fees should be convenient to pay and recreation
passes should be easy to obtain. A variety of payment and purchase location
options (including credit card, internet, automated fee machines, and vendor
sales) should be available as appropriate and feasible.
(6) ACCOUNTABLE- Federal land management agencies should collect data and
publish annually public documentation showing how the recreation fee program
is administered. Agencies should evaluate the recreation fee program to
consider cost of collection, adherence to policy, use of revenues, fiscal
safeguards, and how well the program achieves organizational, site, and
community goals.
(7) CONSISTENT- The visiting public should expect a similar fee for similar
resources, facilities, activities, services, and programs across Federal
land management agencies or in a given geographic area. The costs and benefits
associated with a recreation fee or recreation pass should be clearly illustrated
and easily understood by the visiting public.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(1) BASIC RECREATION FEE- The term `basic recreation fee' means the fee
authorized by section 5.
(2) EXPANDED RECREATION FEE- The term `expanded recreation fee' means the
fee authorized by section 6.
(3) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY- The term `Federal land management agency'
means the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, or the Forest
Service.
(4) NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS PASS - The term `National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass' means the interagency national
pass authorized by section 9.
(5) PASSHOLDER- The term `passholder' means a person who purchases or otherwise
holds a recreation pass.
(6) RECREATION FEE- The term `recreation fee' means the basic recreation
fee, expanded recreation fee, or special recreation permit fee.
(7) RECREATION PASS- The term `recreation pass' means the National Parks
and Federal Recreational Lands Pass or one of the recreation passes available
as authorized by section 10.
(8) SECRETARY CONCERNED- The term `Secretary concerned' means--
(A) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to the National Park Service,
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management,
and the Bureau of Reclamation; and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the Forest Service.
(9) SECRETARIES- The term `Secretaries' means the Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Agriculture acting jointly.
(10) SPECIAL ACCOUNT- The term `special account' means the special account
established in the Treasury under section 13 for a Federal land management
agency.
(11) SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEE- The term `special recreation permit
fee' means the fee authorized by section 7.
SEC. 4. GENERAL RECREATION FEE AUTHORITY.
(a) AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH- The Secretary concerned shall provide for the
establishment of basic recreation fees, expanded recreation fees, and special
recreation permit fees that are fair and equitable.
(b) ESTABLISHMENT GUIDELINES- The Secretary concerned shall establish guidelines
identifying the process by which a Federal land management agency shall establish
and change the amount charged for a basic recreation fee, expanded recreation
fee, or special recreation permit fee. The guidelines shall contain a provision
requiring that Federal land management agencies coordinate with each other,
to the extent practicable, when establishing and changing such fees.
(c) CONSIDERATIONS- Before establishing and setting a price for a recreation
fee, the Secretary concerned shall take into consideration the following:
(1) The benefits and services provided to visitors paying the recreation
fee.
(2) The public policy or management objectives served.
(3) The effect of multiple fees charged to the public.
(4) The direct and indirect cost to the Government.
(5) The revenue benefits to the Government.
(6) Fees charged at comparable sites or by other public agencies.
(7) The economic and administrative feasibility of fee collection.
(8) The price of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
(d) FEES FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED- The Secretary concerned may not
charge a basic recreation fee, expanded recreation fee, or special recreation
permit fee--
(1) for travel by private, noncommercial vehicles over any national parkway
or any road or highway established as a part of the National Highway System
(as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code) that is commonly
used by the public as a means of travel between two places either or both
of which are outside any unit or area of a Federal land management agency
at which fees are charged under this Act;
(2) for travel by a person using a private, noncommercial vehicle over any
road or highway to any land in which the person has any property right,
if the land is within any unit or area of a Federal land management agency
at which fees are charged under this Act;
(3) for any person who has a right of access for hunting or fishing privileges
under a specific provision of law or treaty; or
(4) for any person who is engaged in the conduct of official Federal, State,
or local government business.
(e) WAIVER OR DISCOUNT OF FEES- The Secretary concerned may waive or discount
a basic recreation fee, expanded recreation fee, or special recreation permit
fee, as considered appropriate by the Secretary concerned.
(f) FEE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS- Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United
States Code (commonly known as the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Act), the Secretary concerned may enter into fee management agreements, including
contracts, that provide for reasonable commissions, discounts, or reimbursements,
with any governmental or nongovernmental entities to provide fee collection
and processing services, including visitor reservation services.
SEC. 5. BASIC RECREATION FEE.
(a) FEE AUTHORIZED- Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary concerned
may charge a basic recreation fee for the following locations:
(1) Units of the National Park System.
(2) National Conservation Areas.
(3) National Recreation Areas.
(5) National Volcanic Monuments.
(6) National Scenic Areas.
(7) Areas of substantial investment by a Federal land management agency,
which refers to Federal lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
concerned that are not specified in paragraphs (1) through (6), but that--
(A) are managed for recreation purposes or contain at least one major
visitor attraction; and
(B) have had substantial investments, as determined by the Secretary concerned,
made in their facilities or services, in restoring resource degradation
in areas of concentrated public use, including a visitor or interpretive
center, a trailhead facility, or a developed parking lot, or in requiring
the presence of personnel of a Federal land management agency.
(b) LIMITATIONS ON FEES FOR CERTAIN PERSONS, ACTIVITIES, AND LOCATIONS- The
Secretary concerned may not charge a basic recreation fee with respect to
any of the following:
(1) A person under 16 years of age.
(2) Outings conducted for noncommercial educational purposes by schools
or bonafide academic institutions.
(3) The following National Park System units:
(A) U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.
(B) Independence National Historical Park.
(C) Statue of Liberty National Monument.
(D) National Park System units in the District of Columbia.
(E) The Arlington House-Robert E. Lee National Memorial.
(F) Any National Park System unit covered by section 203 of the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 410hh-2), other than
Denali National Park and Preserve.
(G) Any National Park System unit containing a deed restriction on charging
entrance fees.
(4) For entrance on other routes into the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park, or any part thereof, unless a basic recreation fee is charged for
entrance into that park on main highways and thoroughfares.
(5) For any person who visits a unit or area under the jurisdiction of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service and is the holder of a valid migratory
bird hunting and conservation stamp issued under section 2 of the Act of
March 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 718b; commonly known as the Migratory Bird Hunting
Stamp Act or Duck Stamp Act).
(6) For any person engaged in a nonrecreational activity authorized under
a valid permit issued under any other Act, including a valid grazing permit.
(c) FEE-FREE DAY- At every unit or area of a Federal land management area
that charges a basic recreation fee, that Secretary concerned shall designate
at least one day annually during periods of high visitation as a `Fee-Free
Day' when no basic recreation fee is charged.
SEC. 6. EXPANDED RECREATION FEE.
(a) FEE AUTHORIZED- The Secretary concerned may charge an expanded recreation
fee, either in addition to a basic recreation fee or by itself, at Federal
lands or waters under the jurisdiction of a Federal land management agency
when the Secretary concerned determines that the visitor to those lands or
waters--
(1) receives or is provided a direct service;
(2) uses a specific or specialized facility or equipment in association
with the recreation activity;
(3) requires additional attention by staff, representatives or contractors
of the Federal land management agency; or
(4) participates in an activity that involves more costs to the Federal
land management agency than the costs associated with the basic recreation
fee.
(b) LIMITATIONS ON FEES FOR CERTAIN PERSONS, ACTIVITIES, AND LOCATIONS- The
Secretary concerned may not charge an expanded recreation fee with respect
to any of the following:
(1) For general access to any Federal lands or waters under the jurisdiction
of a Federal land management agency.
(2) For access to any of the following:
(B) A dispersed area with low or no investment.
(D) A basic, core interpretive program.
(I) An undeveloped parking area.
(J) an individual picnic table.
(3) For special attention or extra services necessary to meet the needs
of individuals with disabilities.
(4) For any person engaged in a nonrecreational activity authorized under
a valid permit issued under any other Act, including a valid grazing permit.
(c) FACILITIES AND SERVICES- In accordance with subsection (a), but subject
to subsection (b), an expanded recreation fee may be charged for facilities
and services, including any of the following:
(1) A developed campground.
(2) A developed boat ramp.
(5) An enhanced interpretive program.
(6) A reservation service.
(7) A transportation service.
SEC. 7. SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT FEE.
(a) FEE AUTHORIZED- The Secretary concerned may require a special recreation
permit, and charge a special recreation permit fee, for a recreation use,
including any of the following:
(2) A commercial tour, including commercial aircraft tour.
(4) Use of a motorized recreation vehicle.
(6) An outfitting and guiding activity.
(7) An activity requiring an allocation of use.
(8) An activity for which a permit is required to ensure public safety.
(b) PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES- If the Secretary concerned requires a special
recreation permit for a recreation use, or charges a special recreation permit
fee, the Secretary concerned shall establish procedures or guidelines to address
the application and approval process for the special recreation permit and
the special recreation permit fee levels.
SEC. 8. GENERAL RECREATION PASS AUTHORITY.
(a) EFFECT AND USE OF RECREATION PASSES- A recreation pass shall cover the
basic recreation fee at any unit or area of a Federal land management agency
that charges a basic recreation fee for the passholder and--
(1) all persons traveling with the passholder in a noncommercial motorized
vehicle;
(2) up to three persons accompanying the passholder and traveling by means
other than a motorized vehicle; or
(3) up to three persons accompanying the passholder at walk-up units or
areas of a Federal land management agency.
(b) NONTRANSFERABLE- A recreation pass is nontransferable.
(c) CONSIDERATIONS- Before establishing and setting a price for a recreation
pass, the Secretary concerned shall take into consideration the following:
(1) The considerations specified in section 4(c).
(2) The visitor services and recreation opportunities to be covered by the
recreation pass.
(3) The price of, and impact on, other recreation passes.
(4) Visitor confusion with respect to other recreation passes.
(5) The impact on the incentive of a Federal land management agency to sell
the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
(6) The impact on the overall collection of recreation fees authorized by
this Act.
(7) The basic recreation fees charged at units or areas of the Federal land
management agencies covered by the recreation pass and the impact of the
recreation pass on those fees.
(d) PUBLIC NOTICE- The Secretaries shall jointly take such steps as may be
necessary to provide to the public information on the National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass and other available recreation passes.
SEC. 9. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL--THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL
LANDS PASS.
(a) RECREATION PASS AUTHORIZED-
(1) AVAILABILITY AND USE- The Secretaries shall jointly establish, and may
charge a fee for, an interagency national pass to be known as the `America
the Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass',
which shall cover the basic recreation fee at all units and areas of the
Federal land management agencies for which a basic recreation fee is charged.
(2) IMAGE COMPETITION FOR RECREATION PASS- The Secretaries shall jointly
hold an annual competition to select the image to be used on the National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for a year. The competition shall
be--
(A) open to the public; and
(B) used as a means to educate the American people about units and areas
of the Federal land management agencies.
(3) NOTICE OF ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretaries shall jointly publish a notice
in the Federal Register when the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass is first established and available for purchase.
(b) DURATION- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass shall
be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the issuance of the recreation
pass to a passholder.
(c) PRICE- The Secretaries shall jointly establish the price at which the
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass will be sold to the public.
(d) SALES LOCATIONS AND MARKETING-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary concerned shall sell the National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass at all units or areas of the Federal land
management agencies at which a basic recreation fee is charged and at such
other locations as the Secretaries consider appropriate and feasible.
(2) USE OF VENDORS- The Secretary concerned may enter into cooperative agreements
or contracts with private vendors to sell the National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass.
(3) MARKETING- The Secretaries shall jointly take such actions as are appropriate
to provide for the active marketing of the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass.
(1) AGE DISCOUNT- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
shall be available, at a 50 percent discount, to any citizen of, or person
domiciled in, the United States who is 62 years of age or older, provides
adequate proof of age, and provides adequate proof of citizenship or residency.
(2) DISABILITY DISCOUNT- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands
Pass shall be available, without charge, to any citizen of, or person domiciled
in, the United States who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially
limits one or more of the person's major life activities, as required by
section 7(20)(B)(i) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701(20)(B)(i)),
provides adequate documentation of the such disability, and provides adequate
proof of citizenship or residency.
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES- The Secretaries shall jointly issue guidelines
on administration of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass,
which shall include agreement on price, the distribution of revenues between
the Federal land management agencies, the sharing of costs, benefits provided,
marketing and design, adequate documentation for age and disability discounts,
and the issuance of that recreation pass to volunteers. The Secretaries shall
take into consideration all relevant visitor and sales data available in establishing
the guidelines.
(g) DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENTS- The Secretaries may jointly
enter into cooperative agreements with governmental and nongovernmental entities
for the development and implementation of the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass Program.
(h) PROHIBITION ON OTHER NATIONAL RECREATION PASSES- The Secretary concerned
may not establish any national recreation pass, except as provided in this
section.
SEC. 10. OTHER RECREATION PASSES.
(a) SITE-SPECIFIC AGENCY PASSES- The Secretary concerned may establish and
charge a fee for a site-specific pass that will cover the basic recreation
fee for a particular unit or area of a Federal land management agency for
a specified period not to exceed 12 months.
(b) REGIONAL MULTIENTITY PASSES-
(1) PASSES AUTHORIZED- The Secretary concerned may establish and charge
a fee for a regional multientity pass that will be accepted by one or more
Federal land management agencies or by one or more governmental or nongovernmental
entities for a specified period not to exceed 12 months. To include a Federal
land management agency or governmental or nongovernmental entity over which
the Secretary concerned does not have jurisdiction, the Secretary concerned
shall obtain the consent of the head of such agency or entity.
(2) REGIONAL MULTIENTITY PASS AGREEMENT- In order to establish a regional
multientity pass under this subsection, the Secretary concerned shall enter
into a regional multientity pass agreement with all the participating agencies
or entities on price, the distribution of revenues between participating
agencies or entities, the sharing of costs, benefits provided, marketing
and design, and the issuance of the pass to volunteers. The Secretary concerned
shall take into consideration all relevant visitor and sales data available
when entering into this agreement.
SEC. 11. MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS REGARDING RECREATION FEES
AND RECREATION PASSES.
(a) NOTICE OF BASIC RECREATION FEES AND PASSES- The Secretary concerned shall
post clear notice of the basic recreation fee and available recreation passes
at appropriate locations in each unit or area of a Federal land management
agency where a basic recreation fee is charged. The Secretary concerned shall
include such notice in publications distributed at the unit or area.
(b) NOTICE OF RECREATION FEE PROJECTS- To the extent practicable, the Secretary
concerned shall post clear notice of locations where work is performed using
recreation fee or recreation pass revenues collected under this Act.
SEC. 12. VOLUNTEERS.
(a) AUTHORITY TO USE VOLUNTEERS- The Secretary concerned may use volunteers,
as appropriate, to collect recreation fees and sell recreation passes.
(b) WAIVER OR DISCOUNT OF FEES; SITE-SPECIFIC AGENCY PASS- In exchange for
volunteer services, the Secretary concerned may waive or discount a recreation
fee that would otherwise apply to the volunteer or issue to the volunteer
a site-specific agency pass authorized under section 10(a).
(c) NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS PASS- In accordance with
the guidelines issued under section 9(f), the Secretaries may jointly issue
a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to a volunteer in exchange
for significant volunteer services performed by the volunteer.
(d) REGIONAL MULTIENTITY PASSES- The Secretary concerned may issue a regional
multientity pass authorized under section 10(b) to a volunteer in exchange
for significant volunteer services performed by the volunteer, if the regional
multientity pass agreement under which the regional multientity pass was established
provides for the issuance of the pass to volunteers.
SEC. 13. SPECIAL ACCOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATION FEES AND RECREATION
PASS REVENUES.
(a) SPECIAL ACCOUNT- The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a special
account in the Treasury for each Federal land management agency.
(b) DEPOSITS- Subject to subsections (c), (d), and (e), revenues collected
by each Federal land management agency under this Act shall--
(1) be deposited in its special account; and
(2) remain available for expenditure, without further appropriation, until
expended.
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATION FEES AND SINGLE-SITE AGENCY PASS REVENUES-
(1) LOCAL DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS-
(A) RETENTION OF REVENUES- Not less than 80 percent of the recreation
fees and site-specific agency pass revenues collected at a specific unit
or area of a Federal land management agency shall remain available for
expenditure, without further appropriation, until expended at that unit
or area.
(B) REDUCTION- The Secretary concerned may reduce the percentage allocation
otherwise applicable under subparagraph (A) to a unit or area of a Federal
land management agency, but not below 60 percent, for a fiscal year if
the Secretary concerned determines that the revenues collected at the
unit or area exceed the reasonable needs of the unit or area for which
expenditures may be made under section 14 for that fiscal year.
(2) AGENCY-WIDE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS- The balance of the recreation fees
and site-specific agency pass revenues collected at a specific unit or area
of a Federal land management and not distributed in accordance with paragraph
(1) shall remain available to that Federal land management agency for expenditure
on an agency-wide basis, without further appropriation, until expended.
(d) DISTRIBUTION OF NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS PASS REVENUES-
Revenues collected from the sale of the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass shall be deposited in the special accounts established for the
Federal land management agencies in accordance with the guidelines issued
under section 9(f).
(e) DISTRIBUTION OF REGIONAL MULTIENTITY PASS REVENUES- Revenues collected
from the sale of a regional multientity pass authorized under section 10(b)
shall be deposited in each participating Federal land management agency's
special account in accordance with the terms of the multientity agreement
for the regional multientity pass.
SEC. 14. EXPENDITURES FROM SPECIAL ACCOUNTS.
(a) TRANSFER AND USE OF FUNDS- On request of the Secretary concerned, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary concerned from the
special account for a Federal land management agency such amounts as the Secretary
concerned considers necessary and appropriate. The Secretary concerned shall
accept and use the transferred amounts in accordance with this section.
(b) USE OF FEES AT SPECIFIC UNIT OR AREA-
(1) AUTHORIZED USES- Amounts available under section 13(c)(1) for expenditure
at a specific unit or area of a Federal land management agency may be used
for the following purposes:
(A) Backlogged repair and maintenance projects, including projects relating
to health and safety, and other maintenance.
(B) Interpretation and signage.
(C) Habitat or facility enhancement.
(D) Resource preservation.
(E) Law enforcement related to public use.
(F) Bonding of volunteers.
(G) Direct operating or capital costs associated with the imposition and
collection of recreation fees and the issuance of recreation passes.
(2) SEPARATE ACCOUNTING- Amounts available under section 13(c)(1) for expenditure
at a specific unit or area of a Federal land management agency shall be
accounted for separately from amounts available under section 13(c)(2).
(c) USE OF FEES AGENCY-WIDE- Amounts available under section 13(c)(2) to a
Federal land management agency for expenditure agency-wide may be used for
the purposes described in subsection (b)(1) at units or areas selected by
the Federal land management agency.
(d) USE OF FEES FOR RECREATION PASS PROGRAMS-
(1) ADMINISTRATION AND MARKETING COSTS- Not more than 15 percent of the
revenues collected from the sale of a recreation pass may be used to fund
administration and marketing costs associated with that recreation pass.
(2) TRANSITIONAL EXCEPTION- Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Act, the Secretary concerned may use amounts available in the special account
of a Federal land management agency to supplement administration and marketing
costs associated with--
(A) the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass during the
five-year period beginning on the date the joint guidelines are issued
under section 9(f); and
(B) a regional multientity pass authorized under section 10(b) during
the five-year period beginning on the date the regional multientity pass
agreement for that recreation pass takes effect.
SEC. 15. ENFORCEMENT AND PROTECTION OF RECEIPTS.
(a) ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY- The Secretary concerned shall enforce payment of
the fees authorized by this Act.
(b) EVIDENCE OF NONPAYMENT- If the display of proof of payment of a recreation
fee, or the payment of a recreation fee within a certain time period is required,
failure to display such proof as required or to pay the recreation fee within
the time period specified shall be considered prima facia evidence of nonpayment.
(c) JOINT LIABILITY- The registered owner and any occupant of a vehicle charged
with a nonpayment violation involving the vehicle shall be jointly liable
for penalties imposed under this section, unless the registered owner can
show that the vehicle was used without the registered owner's express or implied
permission.
(d) PENALTIES- Failure to pay a required recreation fee shall be punishable
as a Class B misdemeanor.
(1) IN GENERAL- It is unlawful to break into forcibly, to attempt to break
into forcibly, or to tamper with any device used to collect or store recreation
fees, or any structure used in whole or in part to collect or store fees,
with intent to commit larceny.
(2) PENALTIES- Any violation under paragraph (1) involving a loss to the
United States of less than $1,000 shall be punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.
Any violation under paragraph (1) involving a loss to the United States
of $1,000 or more, but less than $5,000, shall be punishable as a Class
A misdemeanor. Any violation under paragraph (1) involving a loss to the
United States of $5,000 or more shall be punishable as a Class D felony.
SEC. 16. REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED ADMISSION AND USE FEE AUTHORITIES.
(a) LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND ACT- Section 4 of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a) is repealed, except
that the Secretary concerned may continue to issue Golden Eagle Passports,
Golden Age Passports, and Golden Access Passports under such section until
the date the notice required by section 9(a)(3) is published in the Federal
Register regarding the establishment of the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass.
(b) RECREATIONAL FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM- Section 315 of the Department
of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (as contained
in section 101(c) of Public Law 104-134; 16 U.S.C. 460l-6a), is repealed.
(c) ADMISSION PERMITS FOR REFUGE UNITS- Section 201 of the Emergency Wetlands
Resources Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 3911) is repealed.
(d) NATIONAL PARK PASSPORT, GOLDEN EAGLE PASSPORT, GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT, AND
GOLDEN ACCESS PASSPORT- Effective on the date the notice required by section
9(a)(3) is published in the Federal Register, the following provisions of
law authorizing the establishment of a national park passport program or the
establishment and sale of a national park passport, Golden Eagle Passport,
Golden Age Passport, or Golden Access Passport are repealed:
(1) Section 502 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public
Law 105-391; 16 U.S.C. 5982).
(2) Title VI of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public
Law 105-391; 16 U.S.C. 5991-5995).
(e) EFFECT ON EXISTING PASSPORTS AND PERMITS-
(1) EXISTING PASSPORTS- A passport issued under section 4 of the Land and
Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a) or title
VI of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-391;
16 U.S.C. 5991-5995) that was valid on the day before the publication of
the Federal Register notice required under section 9(a)(3) shall be valid
in accordance with the terms agreed to at the time of issuance of the passport,
to the extent practicable, and remain in effect until expired, lost, or
stolen.
(2) PERMITS- A permit issued under section 4 of the Land and Water Conservation
Fund Act of 1965 that was valid on the day before the date of the enactment
of this Act shall be valid and remain in effect until expired, revoked,
or suspended.
(f) TREATMENT OF UNOBLIGATED FUNDS-
(1) LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND SPECIAL ACCOUNTS- Amounts in the special
accounts established under section 4(i)(1) of the Land and Water Conservation
Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a(i)(1)) for Federal land management
agencies that are unobligated on the date of the enactment of this Act shall
be transferred to the appropriate special account established under section
13 and shall be available to the Secretary concerned in accordance with
this Act. A special account established under section 4(i)(1) of the Land
and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 for a Federal agency that is not
a Federal land management area, and the use of such special account, is
not affected by the repeal of section 4 of the Land and Water Conservation
Fund Act of 1965 by subsection (a).
(2) NATIONAL PARKS PASSPORT- Any funds collected under title VI of the National
Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-391; 16 U.S.C. 5991-5995)
that are unobligated on the day before the publication of the Federal Register
notice required under section 9(a)(3) shall be transferred to the special
account of the National Park Service for use in accordance with this Act.
The Secretary of the Interior may use amounts available in that special
account to pay any outstanding administration, marketing, or close-out costs
associated with the national parks passport.
(3) RECREATIONAL FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM- Any funds collected in accordance
with section 315 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996 (as contained in section 101(c) of Public Law 104-134;
16 U.S.C. 460l-6a), that are unobligated on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act shall be transferred to the appropriate
special account and shall be available to the Secretary concerned in accordance
with this Act.
(4) ADMISSION PERMITS FOR REFUGE UNITS- Any funds collected in accordance
with section 201 of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C.
3911) that are available as provided in subsection (c)(A) of such section
and are unobligated on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act shall be transferred to the special account of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service for use in accordance with this Act.
(g) EFFECT OF REGULATIONS- A regulation or policy issued under a provision
of law repealed by this section shall remain in effect to the extent such
a regulation or policy is consistent with the provisions of this Act until
the Secretary concerned issues a regulation, guideline, or policy under this
Act that supersedes the earlier regulation.
SEC. 17. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS AND FEE COLLECTION AUTHORITIES.
(a) FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS UNAFFECTED- Nothing in this Act shall authorize
Federal hunting or fishing licenses or fees or charges for commercial or other
activities not related to recreation, affect any rights or authority of the
States with respect to fish and wildlife, or repeal or modify any provision
of law that permits States or political subdivisions of States to share in
the revenues from Federal lands or, except as provided in section 16, any
provision of law that provides that any fees or charges collected at particular
Federal areas be used for or credited to specific purposes or special funds
as authorized by that provision of law.
(b) RELATION TO REVENUE ALLOCATION LAWS- Amounts collected under this Act
may not be taken into account for the purposes of any of the following laws:
(1) The sixth paragraph under the heading `FOREST SERVICE' in the Act of
May 23, 1908 (16 U.S.C. 500).
(2) Section 13 of the Act of March 1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 500; commonly known
as the Weeks Act).
(3) The fourteenth paragraph under the heading `FOREST SERVICE' in the Act
of March 4, 1913 (16 U.S.C. 501).
(4) Section 33 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1012).
(5) Title II of the Act of August 8, 1937, and the Act of May 24, 1939 (43
U.S.C. 1181f et seq.).
(6) Section 6 of the Act of June 14, 1926 (43 U.S.C. 869-4).
(7) Chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code.
(8) Section 401 of the Act of June 15, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 715s; commonly known
as the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act).
(9) The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000
(Public Law 106-393; 16 U.S.C. 500 note).
(10) Section 2 of the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act (43 U.S.C. 618a).
(11) The Federal Water Project Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460l-12
et seq.).
(12) The first section of the Act of June 17, 1902, as amended or supplemented
(43 U.S.C. 391).
(13) The Act of February 25, 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.; commonly known
as the Mineral Leasing Act).
(14) Section 4(e) of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998
(Public Law 105-263; 31 U.S.C. 6901 note).
(15) Section 5(a) of the Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-298;
114 Stat. 1047).
(16) Any other provision of law relating to revenue allocation.
(c) CONSIDERATION OF OTHER FUNDS COLLECTED- Amounts collected under any other
law may not be disbursed under this Act.
(d) SOLE RECREATION FEE AUTHORITY- Recreation fees charged under this Act
shall be in lieu of fees charged for the same purposes under any other provision
of law.
(e) FEES CHARGED BY THIRD PARTIES- Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act, a third party may charge a fee for providing a good or service to
a visitor of a unit or area of the Federal land management agencies in accordance
with any other applicable law or regulation.
(f) MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING STAMP ACT- Revenues from the stamp established
under the Act of March 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 718 et seq.; commonly known as
the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act or Duck Stamp Act ), shall not be covered
by this Act.
END