[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6694-H6695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BIKING ON LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS ACT

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6337) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Secretary of Agriculture to develop long-distance bike trails on 
Federal land, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6337

       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 ``Biking on Long-Distance 
     Trails Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Federal recreational lands.--The term ``Federal 
     recreational lands'' has the meaning given the term ``Federal 
     recreational lands and waters'' in section 802(5) of the 
     Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801(5)).
       (2) Long-distance bike trail.--The term ``long-distance 
     bike trail'' means a continuous route, consisting of 1 or 
     more trails or rights-of-way, that--
       (A) is not less than 80 miles in length;
       (B) primarily makes use of dirt or natural surface trails;
       (C) may require connections along paved or other improved 
     roads;
       (D) does not include Federal recreational lands where 
     mountain biking or related activities are not consistent with 
     management requirements for those Federal recreational lands; 
     and
       (E) to the maximum extent practicable, makes use of trails 
     and roads that were on Federal recreational lands on or 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (3) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the 
     Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     acting jointly.
       (4) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' 
     means the following:
       (A) The Secretary of the Interior, with respect to Federal 
     recreational lands under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.
       (B) The Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to Federal 
     recreational lands under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.

     SEC. 3. LONG-DISTANCE BIKE TRAILS ON FEDERAL RECREATIONAL 
                   LANDS.

       (a) Identification of Long-distance Trails.--Not later than 
     18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretaries shall identify--
       (1) not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make 
     use of trails and roads in existence on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (2) not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an 
     opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify 
     as a long-distance bike trail.
       (b) Public Comment.--The Secretaries shall--
       (1) develop a process to allow members of the public to 
     comment regarding the identification of trails and areas 
     under subsection (a); and
       (2) consider the identification, development, and 
     completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically 
     equitable manner.
       (c) Maps, Signage, and Promotional Materials.--For any 
     long-distance bike trail identified under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary concerned may--
       (1) publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue 
     promotional materials; and
       (2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-
     Federal resources necessary for the stewardship, development, 
     or completion of trails.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in partnership with 
     interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a report 
     that lists the trails identified under subsection (a), 
     including a summary of public comments received in accordance 
     with the process developed under subsection (b).
       (e) Conflict Avoidance With Other Uses.--The Secretary 
     concerned shall ensure that each long-distance bike trail or 
     area identified under subsection (a)--
       (1) does not conflict with--
       (A) the uses, before the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike 
     trail;
       (B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback 
     riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act;
       (C) the purposes for which any trail was or is established 
     under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et 
     seq.); and
       (D) any area managed under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1131 et seq.); and
       (2) complies with land use and management plans of the 
     Federal recreational lands that are part of that long-
     distance bike trail.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. 
Herrell) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 6337, the Biking on Long-Distance 
Trails Act.
  This bill would expand outdoor recreational opportunities by 
developing and completing long-distance bike trails and expanding 
mapping resources

[[Page H6695]]

for long-distance biking on Federal land.
  The legislation would expand outdoor recreation opportunities 
throughout the country and boost local economies that rely on tourism 
and the outdoor industry.
  Additionally, ensuring Americans have access to public lands is 
critical to the development of multiple-use management, which includes 
outdoor recreation, resource development, and grazing. This bill 
identifies long-distance bike trails on Federal lands, making them 
easier for the public to explore and use for personal enjoyment.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Neguse, for introducing this 
important legislation and championing it on behalf of his constituents.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my 
time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                    Washington, DC, July 15, 2022.
     Hon. David Scott,
     Chair, Committee on Agriculture,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chair Scott: I write to you concerning H.R. 6337 the 
     ``Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act.''
       I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this 
     legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions 
     that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Agriculture. I acknowledge that your Committee will not 
     formally consider H.R. 6337 and agree that the inaction of 
     your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any 
     future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the 
     bill that fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction.
       Additionally, the Committee on Natural Resources confirms 
     our mutual understanding that the Committee on Agriculture 
     will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or 
     similar legislation moves forward so that you may address any 
     remaining issues within your jurisdiction. I am pleased to 
     support the appointment of members of the Committee on 
     Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such 
     provisions.
       I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in 
     the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the 
     bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you 
     as this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Raul M. Grijalva,
     Chair, House Natural Resources Committee.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                     Committee on Agriculture,

                                    Washington, DC, July 15, 2022.
     Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Grijalva: This letter confirms our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 6337, the Biking on Long-
     Distance Trails Act. Thank you for collaborating with the 
     Committee on Agriculture.
       Our Committee will forgo consideration of this bill so that 
     it can proceed expeditiously to the House floor. However, the 
     Committee on Agriculture reserves the right to seek the 
     appointment of conferees to any House-Senate conference and 
     requests consultation on any remaining matters within our 
     jurisdiction.
       We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 6337, and request 
     that a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the 
     Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                      David Scott,
                                                         Chairman.

  Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6337, a bipartisan bill 
sponsored by Representative   Joe Neguse.
  The Biking on Long-Distance Trails, or BOLT Act, is intended to meet 
the needs of biking enthusiasts by increasing the number of long-
distance biking trails on Federal lands.
  The BOLT Act would require the Secretaries of the Interior and 
Agriculture to identify at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails 
and identify at least 10 areas where there is opportunity to develop or 
complete such trails.
  Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sectors in the outdoor 
recreation economy, and I support identifying new opportunities for the 
public to recreate on Federal lands. The BOLT Act will make long-
distance bike trails safer and more accessible to riders throughout the 
country.
  I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill and yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation and yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6337, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question 
are postponed.

                          ____________________