[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1547 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 439
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1547
To amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National
Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 1, 2025
Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. King, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Warner, Mr. Sheehy,
Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. McCormick, Mr.
Gallego, Ms. Collins, Mr. Coons, Mr. Justice, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr.
Banks, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. Smith, Mr. Tillis, Mr.
Blumenthal, Mr. Budd, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Young, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Boozman,
Mr. Kaine, Mr. Hoeven, Ms. Rosen, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr.
Cotton, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Graham, Mr. Kim, Mr. Husted, Ms. Baldwin, Mr.
Moreno, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Marshall, Mr.
Schumer, Mr. Mullin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Scott
of South Carolina, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Bennet, Mr.
Hawley, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Risch, Mr. Schiff,
Mr. Crapo, Mr. Welch, Mr. Hagerty, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Armstrong, Mr.
Lankford, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Britt, and Mr. Schatz) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources
June 17, 2026
Reported by Mr. Lee, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National
Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``America the Beautiful
Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. REUAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LAND
LEGACY RESTORATION FUND.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Deposits.--Section 200402(b) of title 54, United
States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2025'' and
inserting ``2033''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (2), by striking
``$1,900,000,000'' and inserting ``$2,000,000,000''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Use of Funds.--Section 200402(e) of title 54, United
States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``in the National Wildlife Refuge
System'' and inserting ``on land administered by the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Project prioritization.--The Secretary and
the Secretary of Agriculture shall prioritize the use of
amounts allocated from the Fund for projects that receive
donations under subsection (j) of not less than 15 percent of
the total costs of the applicable project.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Submission of Annual List of Projects to Congress.--
Section 200402(h) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``and the subsequent fiscal year'' before the period at the
end.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Alternate Allocation.--Section 200402(i) of title 54,
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``for the
applicable fiscal year and subsequent fiscal year'' after
``under this section''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) No full-year appropriations
enacted.--If Congress has not enacted full-year
appropriations for the Department of the Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies for the applicable
fiscal year by the end of the previous fiscal year,
amounts made available under subsection (c) shall be
allocated by the President, if that allocation had
previously been approved under paragraph (1) as an
allocation for the subsequent fiscal year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Public Donations.--Section 200402(j) of title 54,
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Public'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``public'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Solicitation of donations.--The Secretary
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide to the public
information on the ability of the Secretary and the Secretary
of Agriculture to accept donations under paragraph (1),
including through--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) public awareness
campaigns;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) physical or digital donation
locations at project sites; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) during the checkout process for the
purchase of a physical or digital pass to access a
Federal recreational site or an interagency pass, such
as the America the Beautiful--the National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by striking paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)
and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Credits to fund.--Any cash donations
accepted under paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) shall be--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) credited to, and form a part
of, the Fund; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) allocated to the covered
agency for which the donation was made;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) may be allocated to specific
projects included on a list submitted under subsection
(h).''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``paragraph (2)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(3)(A)(ii)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Disposal of Assets; Report to Congress.--Section
200402 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(l) Disposal of Assets.--The Secretary and the Secretary
of Agriculture shall provide for the disposal of constructed assets
included on a deferred maintenance list submitted under subsection (h)
that no longer serve the public interest or advance the mission of the
applicable unit to which the asset belongs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(m) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary and the Secretary
of Agriculture shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) describes actions taken by the covered
agencies without using amounts from the Fund to reduce deferred
maintenance in the System, on land administered by the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, on public land administered
by the Bureau of Land Management, for the Bureau of Indian
Education schools, and in the National Forest System;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) includes a plan from the covered agencies to
increase preventative annual and cyclic maintenance activities
by covered agencies to a level that properly maintains the
assets of the covered agencies and prevents the addition of
assets to a deferred maintenance list under subsection
(h).''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``America the Beautiful Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LAND LEGACY RESTORATION FUND.
(a) Definition of Deferred Maintenance.--Section 200401 of title
54, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Deferred maintenance.--
``(A) In general.--The term `deferred maintenance'
means maintenance or a repair of an asset that--
``(i) was not performed when the
maintenance or repair should have been, or was
scheduled to be, performed; and
``(ii) is put off or delayed for a future
period.
``(B) Inclusion.--The term `deferred maintenance'
includes the reconstruction of an asset that was
demolished or removed during the 10-year period ending
on the date of enactment of the America the Beautiful
Act and during the term of the authorization of the
deposits into the Fund, if--
``(i) the asset was demolished or removed
because its deterioration posed a risk--
``(I) to human health or safety; or
``(II) to natural or cultural
resources;
``(ii) the asset was not intended to be
temporary at the time of its construction;
``(iii) the reconstructed asset is
comparable in function and capacity to the
original asset; and
``(iv) the total cost of the reconstruction
is less than $5,000,000.''.
(b) Deposits.--Section 200402(b)(1) of title 54, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``2027
through 2031''; and
(2) by striking ``Federal land and water'' and inserting
``Federal onshore land''.
(c) Maximum Amount.--Section 200402(b)(2) of title 54, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``total'' before ``amount''; and
(2) by inserting ``, section 803 of the Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802), and section
4(e)(2)(B) of the America the Beautiful Act'' after ``paragraph
(1)''.
(d) Order of Deposits.--Section 200402(b) of title 54, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Order of deposits.--Amounts required to be deposited
in the Fund shall be deposited in the following order of
priority:
``(A) Amounts required to be deposited in the Fund
under paragraph (3)(I) of section 803(e) of the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6802(e)).
``(B) Amounts required to be deposited in the Fund
under section 4(e)(2)(B) of the America the Beautiful
Act.
``(C) Amounts required to be deposited in the Fund
under paragraph (1).''.
(e) Use of Funds.--Section 200402(e) of title 54, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``in the National Wildlife Refuge System'' and
inserting ``on land administered by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Limitations.--
``(A) Nontransportation projects.--Over the term of
the Fund--
``(i) within the Service, not less than 65
percent of amounts from the Fund shall be
allocated for deferred maintenance
nontransportation projects;
``(ii) within the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, not less than 65 percent of
amounts from the Fund shall be allocated for
deferred maintenance nontransportation
projects;
``(iii) within the Forest Service, not less
than 32 percent of amounts from the Fund shall
be allocated for deferred maintenance
nontransportation projects; and
``(iv) within the Bureau of Land
Management, not less than 15 percent of amounts
from the Fund shall be allocated for deferred
maintenance nontransportation projects.
``(B) Transportation projects.--The amounts
remaining in the Fund after the allocations required
under subparagraph (A) may be allocated for deferred
maintenance transportation projects of the covered
agencies, including paved and unpaved roads, bridges,
tunnels, and paved parking areas.
``(C) Plan.--A priority deferred maintenance
project funded under this section shall be consistent
with an applicable transportation, deferred
maintenance, or capital improvement plan developed by
the applicable covered agency.''.
(f) Prohibitions on Use.--Section 200402 of title 54, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsection (f) and inserting the
following:
``(f) Prohibitions on Use.--No amounts in the Fund shall be used--
``(1) for the acquisition of land or any interest in land;
``(2) to supplant discretionary funding made available for
annually recurring facility operations, maintenance, or
construction needs;
``(3) for a bonus for an employee of the Federal
Government; or
``(4) to decommission a road on National Forest System land
or public land administered by the Bureau of Land
Management.''.
(g) Project Selection.--Section 200402 of title 54, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the
following:
``(h) Submission of Annual List of Projects to Congress.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection and subsection (i):
``(A) Applicable fiscal year.--The term `applicable
fiscal year', with respect to a session of Congress,
means the fiscal year of the United States Government
that starts on October 1 of the calendar year in which
that session begins.
``(B) Subsequent fiscal year.--The term `subsequent
fiscal year' means a fiscal year 1 year after the
applicable fiscal year.
``(2) Annual list.--
``(A) In general.--Until the date on which all
amounts in the Fund are allocated, the President shall
annually submit to Congress, together with the annual
budget of the United States, a list of projects to be
funded from the Fund for the applicable fiscal year and
the subsequent fiscal year that includes a detailed
description of each such project, including the
estimated expenditures from the Fund for the project.
``(B) Project data sheets.--
``(i) In general.--The list of projects
transmitted with the annual budget of the
United States under subparagraph (A) shall be
accompanied by a project data sheet for each
such project in the same format and containing
the same level of detailed information as on
previous project data sheets submitted to
Congress.
``(ii) Inclusions.--Each project data sheet
under clause (i) shall include--
``(I) a list of each asset
addressed;
``(II) a description of the scope
of benefits; and
``(III) a description of the
consequences of failure to act.
``(3) No list, no allocation.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection
(i)(2)(A) and subject to subparagraph (B), if the list
of projects under paragraph (2)(A) and the accompanying
project data sheets under paragraph (2)(B) for an
applicable fiscal year have not been submitted to
Congress by April 30 of the preceding fiscal year, no
allocation under subsection (c) for that applicable
fiscal year may be made until the date on which the Act
making full-year appropriations for the Department of
the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies for the
subsequent fiscal year is enacted into law.
``(B) Applicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall only
apply to the enactment of full-year appropriations for
fiscal year 2028 or any fiscal year thereafter.
``(4) Submission of list of projects and project data
sheets to congress for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028.--
``(A) Deadlines.--The Secretary and the Secretary
of Agriculture shall submit to the Committees on Energy
and Natural Resources and Appropriations of the Senate
and the Committees on Natural Resources and
Appropriations of the House of Representatives--
``(i) by not later than November 15, 2026,
a list of projects under paragraph (2)(A) to be
funded for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year
2028 under that paragraph; and
``(ii) by not later than November 30, 2026,
the accompanying project data sheets under
paragraph (2)(B).
``(B) Failure to submit.--Notwithstanding
subsection (i)(2)(A), if the list of projects for
fiscal year 2027 under subparagraph (2)(A) and
accompanying project data sheets under paragraph (2)(B)
have not been submitted to Congress pursuant to
subparagraph (A), no allocation under subsection (c)
for fiscal year 2027 may be made until the date on
which the Act making full-year appropriations for the
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies for fiscal year 2028 is enacted into law.
``(5) Recommendations.--The Secretary and the Secretary of
Agriculture shall annually solicit from the Governors of all
States, the governors of all territories of the United States,
and Indian Tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304))
recommendations for projects to be funded from the Fund under
paragraph (2).
``(6) Priority.--In selecting projects for the list (other
than projects for the Bureau of Indian Education) to be funded
from the Fund under paragraph (2), the Secretary and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that, for each covered
agency--
``(A) funds are prioritized for projects that--
``(i) address deferred maintenance of
assets the failure of which would result in--
``(I) an imminent threat to public
health or safety; or
``(II) the closure or material
impairment of public access or core
operational functions;
``(ii) are necessary to prevent the further
deterioration of an asset that would result in
a substantially higher future repair or
replacement cost;
``(iii) maximize the reduction of the
deferred maintenance backlog relative to the
amount of funds expended;
``(iv) address mission-critical assets,
including water, wastewater, site maintenance,
employee housing, and public use facilities;
``(v) can be completed in a timely manner
and in accordance with applicable cost and
schedule estimates; or
``(vi) positively impact a visitor-facing
asset; and
``(B) a reasonable balance is achieved between
projects at higher- and lower-visitation units or areas
administered by the covered agency.''.
(h) Alternate Allocation.--Section 200402 of title 54, United
States Code, is amended by striking subsection (i) and inserting the
following:
``(i) Alternate Allocation.--
``(1) In general.--Appropriations Acts may provide for
alternate allocation of amounts made available under this
section for the applicable fiscal year and the subsequent
fiscal year, consistent with the allocations to covered
agencies under subsection (e)(1).
``(2) Allocation by president.--
``(A) No alternate allocations.--If Congress has
not enacted legislation establishing alternate
allocations by the date on which the Act making full-
year appropriations for the Department of the Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies for the applicable
fiscal year is enacted into law, amounts made available
under subsection (c) shall be allocated by the
President.
``(B) Insufficient alternate allocation.--If
Congress enacts legislation establishing alternate
allocations for amounts made available under subsection
(c) that are less than the full amount appropriated
under that subsection, the difference between the
amount appropriated and the alternate allocation shall
be allocated by the President.
``(C) No full-year appropriations enacted by end of
previous fiscal year.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
if an allocation has been made by Congress for
a subsequent fiscal year under paragraph (1)
and Congress has not enacted full-year
appropriations for the Department of the
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies by
October 1 of the year in which that subsequent
fiscal year becomes the applicable fiscal year,
amounts made available under subsection (c) may
be implemented by the President on October 1 of
such applicable fiscal year, in accordance with
the congressional allocation.
``(ii) Applicability.--Clause (i) shall
only apply to the enactment of full-year
appropriations for fiscal year 2028 or any
fiscal year thereafter.''.
(i) Public Donations.--Section 200402(j) of title 54, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Public'';
(2) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``public'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
(4) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Solicitation of donations.--The Secretary and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall provide to the public
information on the ability of the Secretary and the Secretary
of Agriculture to accept donations under paragraph (1),
including through--
``(A) public awareness campaigns;
``(B) physical or digital donation locations at
project sites; and
``(C) during the checkout process for the purchase
of a physical or digital pass to access a Federal
recreational site or an interagency pass.
``(3) Credits to fund.--
``(A) In general.--100 percent of any cash
donations accepted under paragraph (1) shall be
credited to, and form a part of, the Fund.
``(B) Allocation.--Amounts credited to the Fund
under subparagraph (A) shall be allocated to the
covered agency for which the donation was made.
``(C) Exclusion from maximum amount.--Amounts
credited to the Fund under subparagraph (A) shall not
be considered for purposes of the limitation on amounts
deposited under subsection (b)(2).''; and
(5) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking
``paragraph (2)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)(B)''.
(j) Additional Provisions.--Section 200402 of title 54, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Streamlining.--
``(1) Categorical exclusions.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out a project using
funds authorized by this section, the Secretary shall,
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)--
``(i) adopt any applicable categorical
exclusion (as defined in section 111 of that
Act (42 U.S.C. 4336e)) established by another
Federal agency under section 109 of that Act
(42 U.S.C. 4336c);
``(ii) use all other available procedures
to expedite environmental review of the
project, including--
``(I) determinations of NEPA
adequacy; and
``(II) reliance on previously
completed environmental reviews; and
``(iii) establish additional categorical
exclusions (as so defined) as determined
necessary to expedite the completion of
deferred maintenance projects using funds
authorized by this section.
``(B) Administration.--In adopting, developing, and
administering a categorical exclusion described in
clause (i) or (iii) of subparagraph (A), the Secretary
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall apply the
extraordinary circumstances procedures under section
46.215 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or a
successor regulation).
``(2) Program comment and exempted categories.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection,
the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, in consultation
with the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall
develop and issue a consolidated program comment (as described
in subsection (e) of section 800.14 of title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations (as in effect on that date of enactment))
and develop an approved applicable exempted categories of
undertakings (as described in subsection (c) of that section
(as so in effect)) for projects using funds authorized by this
section to eliminate or reduce deferred maintenance on land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary or the Secretary of
Agriculture.
``(m) Timeline.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which
the final design of a project funded under this section has been
approved for which 1 or more responsive bids from a responsible bidder
have been received, the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, as
applicable, shall award a construction contract for the project unless
the Secretary or Secretary of Agriculture determines, in writing, that
there is a compelling reason to reject all bids received.
``(n) State, Local, Tribal, Nonprofit Organization, and
Concessioner Noncompetitive Contracts.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title 41,
or any other provision of law relating to the use of
competitive procedures for the procurement of services,
supplies, or construction materials and services, on making a
determination described in paragraph (2), the Secretary or the
Secretary of Agriculture may enter into 1 or more contracts, on
a noncompetitive basis, for any priority deferred maintenance
project with--
``(A) a State, local government, or Indian Tribe
(as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304)), including any Native village, Village
Corporation, or Regional Corporation, as those terms
are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602);
``(B) a congressionally chartered nonprofit
organization;
``(C) a nonprofit organization affiliated with a
specific unit or area of a covered agency for a project
within that unit or area; or
``(D) a lessee or concessioner currently holding a
valid lease or concession contract with the specific
unit of a covered agency where the priority deferred
maintenance project is located.
``(2) Determination.--A determination referred to in
paragraph (1) is a determination by the Secretary or the
Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, in writing, that the
applicable entity described in that paragraph is uniquely
positioned to execute 1 or more procurement contracts described
in that paragraph.
``(3) Notice to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the initial contract is entered into by the
Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to paragraph
(1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary and the Secretary
of Agriculture shall notify the appropriate committees of
Congress regarding all contracts entered into pursuant to that
paragraph during the preceding year.
``(4) Matching contributions for certain nonprofit
organizations.--
``(A) In general.--A contract under paragraph (1)
with an entity described in subparagraph (B) of that
paragraph shall require the entity to provide, from
non-Federal sources, funds equal to not less than the
amount provided from the Fund for the project.
``(B) Obligation limitation.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the Secretary or the Secretary of
Agriculture may not obligate, pursuant to a
contract described in subparagraph (A), amounts
from the Fund equal to more than the amount of
non-Federal funds contributed or irrevocably
committed to the applicable project by an
entity described in that subparagraph.
``(ii) Exceptions.--Subject to clause
(iii), if an entity described in subparagraph
(A) fails to provide the matching contribution
described in clause (i), the Secretary or the
Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, may
reduce the scope, extend the time to provide
funding for, or waive or reduce the matching
funds requirement applicable to, the relevant
project, as the Secretary or the Secretary of
Agriculture, as applicable, determines to be
necessary--
``(I) to complete a commenced
project; or
``(II) to protect--
``(aa) public health or
safety;
``(bb) System resources; or
``(cc) essential services.
``(iii) Notice to congress.--Not later than
30 days after the date on which the Secretary
or the Secretary of Agriculture waives or
reduces a matching funds requirement pursuant
to clause (ii), the applicable Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a notice of that waiver or reduction.
``(5) Relationship to existing concession contracts.--A
procurement action conducted or contract awarded under this
subsection shall be considered to be separate from, and shall
not modify, amend, or extend the duration of, or provide any
leasehold surrender interest or other benefit under, a
concession contract issued under section 101913 (or a related
authority).
``(6) Effect of subsection.--Nothing in this subsection--
``(A) authorizes the award of any concession
contract or lease without full compliance with
applicable concession contracting law; or
``(B) prevents the Secretary or the Secretary of
Agriculture from using competitive procedures, if the
applicable Secretary determines those procedures to be
in the best interest of the United States.
``(o) Micro-purchase Threshold.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to adjustment under paragraph
(2), the micro-purchase threshold for goods, services, and
construction for any project funded under this section shall be
the following:
``(A) $35,000 for the standard micro-purchase
threshold.
``(B) $25,000 for the acquisition of construction
subject to subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40.
``(C) $30,000 for the acquisition of services
subject to chapter 67 of title 41.
``(2) Adjustment.--Each of the amounts described in
subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1) shall be
adjusted by the Secretary beginning on January 1, 2027, and
annually thereafter, to reflect the percentage changes in the
Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers published by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor over the
previous year.
``(p) Disposal of Constructed Assets.--The Secretary and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for the disposal of constructed
assets included on a deferred maintenance list submitted under
subsection (h) that no longer--
``(1) serve the public interest; or
``(2) advance the mission of the applicable unit to which
the asset belongs.
``(q) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary and the Secretary of
Agriculture shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report that--
``(1) describes actions taken by the covered agencies
without using amounts from the Fund to reduce deferred
maintenance in the System, on land administered by the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, on public land administered
by the Bureau of Land Management, for Bureau of Indian
Education schools, and in the National Forest System; and
``(2) includes a plan from the covered agencies to increase
preventative annual and cyclic maintenance activities by
covered agencies to a level that properly maintains the assets
of the covered agencies and prevents the addition of assets to
a deferred maintenance list under subsection (h).
``(r) Administrative Expenses.--Not more than 3 percent of the
amounts deposited in the Fund under subsection (b) for a fiscal year,
and none of the amounts credited to the Fund under subsection (d)(3)
for a fiscal year, may be used for administrative expenses to carry out
this section.
``(s) Transparency and Accountability.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall establish clear, quantifiable, and
standardized metrics across each covered agency for--
``(1) calculating and determining deferred maintenance,
ensuring that the metrics--
``(A) adhere to established standards for
transportation assets and nontransportation assets; and
``(B) rely on standardized condition assessment
methodologies;
``(2) delineating between cyclic maintenance and deferred
maintenance; and
``(3) providing for the timely addition or removal of an
asset from the deferred maintenance list.''.
SEC. 3. SURCHARGE FOR NONRESIDENT VISITORS TO UNITS OF NATIONAL PARK
SYSTEM.
Section 803(e) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16
U.S.C. 6802(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Entrance fee surcharge for nonresident visitors.--
``(A) Definition of nonresident visitor.--In this
paragraph, the term `nonresident visitor' means an
individual who is not--
``(i) a citizen or national of the United
States; or
``(ii) an individual lawfully admitted for
permanent residence in the United States.
``(B) Establishment.--For any unit of the National
Park System for which an entrance fee is charged, the
Secretary shall establish a surcharge for any
nonresident visitors.
``(C) Determination of surcharge amount; public
participation.--In establishing the amount of a
surcharge under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall--
``(i) ensure that the amount maximizes
revenue for the applicable unit of the National
Park System while retaining nonresident
visitation at the applicable unit of the
National Park System; and
``(ii) provide opportunities for public
participation for gateway communities and local
stakeholders in accordance with subsections (a)
through (c) of section 804.
``(D) Per-vehicle fee.--In a case in which an
entrance fee to a unit of the National Park System
subject to a surcharge under subparagraph (B) is a per-
vehicle charge, the Secretary shall establish a process
for the superintendent of the applicable unit of the
National Park System to proportionately levy and
collect the surcharge from nonresident visitors under
that subparagraph.
``(E) Methods of collection.--A surcharge
established under subparagraph (B) shall be collected--
``(i) by the Secretary, using the standard
methods by which entrance fees may be collected
for a unit of the National Park System under
this section; and
``(ii) if the Secretary enters into an
agreement with a third-party travel vendor to
provide for the collection of the surcharge, by
the applicable third-party travel vendor, in
accordance with the agreement.
``(F) Suspension or modification; increase.--
``(i) Suspension or modification.--The
Secretary may suspend the collection of, or
otherwise modify, the surcharge for the
applicable unit of the National Park System,
including providing for tiered pricing of the
surcharge based on visitation levels at the
unit of the National Park System, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(ii) Increase.--The Secretary may
establish a minimum percentage increase that
shall apply to a surcharge within an applicable
timeframe established by the Secretary.
``(iii) Public participation.--In
determining any modifications to the surcharge
under clauses (i) and (ii), the Secretary shall
provide opportunities for public participation
for gateway communities and local stakeholders
in accordance with subsections (a) through (c)
of section 804.
``(G) Visa fees; administration.--A surcharge
established under subparagraph (B)--
``(i) shall be in addition to, and separate
from, any statutory immigrant visa fee charged
to a nonresident visitor; and
``(ii) shall not be subject to
administration by the Secretary of State or the
Secretary of Homeland Security.
``(H) Exemption for international peace parks.--In
the case of a unit of the National Park System that has
been designated as an international peace park by an
Act of Congress and is subject to a memorandum of
understanding with the government of a foreign country
relating to management or stewardship of the unit of
the National Park System, no surcharge may be applied
to the entrance fee of a national of that foreign
country for entry to that unit of the National Park
System from an entry point within the United States.
``(I) Disposition of proceeds.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
any proceeds from a surcharge on nonresident
visitors collected under this paragraph for
each fiscal year shall be deposited in the
National Parks and Public Land Legacy
Restoration Fund established by section
200402(a) of title 54, United States Code.
``(ii) Limitation.--If the Secretary
determines that the maximum amount described in
section 200402(b)(2) of that title has been
deposited in the National Parks and Public Land
Legacy Restoration Fund for the applicable
fiscal year, any proceeds from a surcharge on
nonresident visitors collected under this
paragraph for the remainder of the fiscal year
shall be retained by the unit of the National
Park System at which the surcharge was
collected.
``(J) Administrative costs.--Amounts collected as
recreation fees under other provisions of this title
may be used to pay the administrative costs of carrying
out this paragraph.
``(K) Effect.--
``(i) In general.--A surcharge established
under subparagraph (B) shall be in addition to
the applicable entrance fee charged at the unit
of the National Park System.
``(ii) Requirement.--Any nonresident
visitor charged a surcharge under subparagraph
(B) shall also be charged the applicable
entrance fee charged at the unit of the
National Park System.
``(L) Expiration.--Any surcharge established under
subparagraph (B) shall expire on September 30, 2031.''.
SEC. 4. LICENSING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of the Interior, including any bureau, office, and
agency of the Department of the Interior.
(2) Intellectual property.--The term ``intellectual
property'' means--
(A) any trademark, service mark, certification
mark, or collective mark (as those terms are defined in
section 45 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for
the registration and protection of trademarks used in
commerce, to carry out the provisions of certain
international conventions, and for other purposes'',
approved July 5, 1946 (commonly known as the
``Trademark Act of 1946'') (15 U.S.C. 1127));
(B) any work of authorship in which copyright
subsists, as described in section 102 of title 17,
United States Code;
(C) any trade secret (as defined in section 1839 of
title 18, United States Code); and
(D) any other similar intellectual property rights
owned or controlled by the Secretary.
(3) Qualifying entity.--The term ``qualifying entity''
means any Federal agency, State, local government, or Indian
Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), public or
private agency, organization, institution, corporation,
individual, or other entity that is determined by the Secretary
to be qualified in accordance with criteria developed by the
Secretary.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(b) Authority.--The Secretary may--
(1) enter into an agreement to license to any qualifying
entity any intellectual property owned or controlled by the
Secretary; and
(2) retain and expend fees received from licensing under
paragraph (1) in accordance with this section.
(c) Designated Marks.--The Secretary shall designate any
trademarks, service marks, certification marks, or collective marks
with respect to which the Secretary shall exercise the authority under
this section.
(d) Licenses for Qualifying Entities.--
(1) Fees.--The fee for a license subject to an agreement
entered into under this section, as determined by the
Secretary, shall be not less than the amount needed to recover
all costs incurred by the Secretary in processing and issuing
the license.
(2) Limitation.--A license subject to an agreement with a
qualifying entity entered into under this section shall provide
that the license may not be transferred, sold, or relicensed by
the qualifying entity, unless otherwise authorized by the
Secretary.
(e) Use of Fees.--
(1) Availability.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary shall use fees retained through an agreement
under this section without further appropriation for a fiscal
year.
(2) Use; deposit.--The proceeds collected under this
section for each fiscal year shall be used in the following
order of priority:
(A) For the payment of the following costs incurred
by the Secretary:
(i) The costs associated with the
development, protection, enforcement,
licensing, marketing, and management of
intellectual property registrations under this
section.
(ii) The costs of operating activities and
programs under this section.
(B) For deposit in the National Parks and Public
Land Legacy Restoration Fund established by section
200402(a) of title 54, United States Code, subject to
paragraph (3).
(3) Limitation.--If the Secretary determines that the
maximum amount described in section 200402(b)(2) of title 54,
United States Code, has been deposited in the National Parks
and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for the applicable
fiscal year, the amounts that would otherwise be deposited in
the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund
under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall be used for the
purposes described in subparagraph (A) of that paragraph for
the remainder of that fiscal year.
(f) Effect on Other Agreements.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this section restricts the
Secretary from incorporating licenses of intellectual property
into agreements (including contracts, concessions, or
cooperative arrangements) not covered by this section, as
appropriate and consistent with applicable laws.
(2) Licenses and fee structures.--The requirements of this
section shall not apply to licenses or fee structures included
in an agreement referred to in paragraph (1).
Calendar No. 439
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1547
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National
Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 17, 2026
Reported with an amendment