117 S949 IS: Protect our Parks Act of 2025 U.S. Senate 2025-03-11 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 949IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 11 (legislative day, March 10), 2025Mr. Kelly (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo ensure that the National Park Service is fully staffed, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protect our Parks Act of 2025.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(2)

Service

The term Service means the National Park Service.

3.

National Park Service staffing and personnel

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, using funds previously appropriated to the Secretary for such purposes, the Secretary shall—(1)take such actions as are necessary—(A)to ensure that the units of the National Park System are fully staffed to ensure visitor safety and enjoyment and natural and cultural resource protection at the units of the National Park System; and(B)to ensure that all maintenance staff positions at the Service are filled; and(2)reinstate any individuals who were involuntarily removed or otherwise terminated from employment with the Service during the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on February 25, 2025.

4.

Continuation of authorized National Park Service projects

The Secretary shall have the authority to continue to carry out any Service project for which funds are authorized or appropriated under—(1)the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.);(2)the Great American Outdoors Act (Public Law 116–152; 134 Stat. 682);(3)the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 429); or(4)Public Law 117–169 (commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) (136 Stat. 1818).