[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1572 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1572

 To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse States that use 
  State funds to operate National Parks during the Federal Government 
                   shutdown, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 15, 2013

  Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mr. Hatch) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                           Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse States that use 
  State funds to operate National Parks during the Federal Government 
                   shutdown, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting States, Opening National 
Parks Act''.

SEC. 2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS TO STATES TO OPEN NATIONAL PARKS TO THE 
              PUBLIC.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after funds are made 
available, the Secretary of the Treasury, using funds in the Treasury 
not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other 
revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several departments, agencies, 
corporations, and other organizational units of government for the 
fiscal year 2014, shall reimburse any State for activities described in 
subsection (b).
    (b) Activities Eligible for Reimbursement.--The Secretary of the 
Treasury shall reimburse States under subsection (a) for State funds 
expended for activities that meet all of the following criteria:
            (1) The activity was conducted in fiscal year 2014 during a 
        time when the Federal Government was not conducting that 
        activity due to the partial shutdown of the Federal Government.
            (2) The activity was necessary to operate and open to the 
        public a National Park located, in whole or in part, within the 
        State.
            (3) The activity was authorized under Federal law.
            (4) The activity was conducted in a manner and at a level 
        not substantially greater in scope or cost than how the 
        activity would have been conducted by the Federal Government.
            (5) The activity is not a settlement of or defense against 
        a claim of liability on the part of the State.
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