[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2362-H2363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLE FAIRNESS ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4386) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
to clarify entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America
the Beautiful interagency pass, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4386
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 ``America the Beautiful
Motorcycle Fairness Act''.
SEC. 2. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES.
Section 805(a)(7) of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(7)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretaries shall issue guidelines''
and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--The Secretaries shall issue
guidelines''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Vehicles.--For purposes of this paragraph, where a
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is used
for access to Federal recreational lands and waters on a per-
vehicle fee basis, such Pass shall cover the entrance fee and
standard amenity recreation fee--
``(i) for the passholder and any passengers accompanying
the passholder in a single private, noncommercial vehicle; or
``(ii) if the passholder is entering by motorcyle--
``(I) the passholder and any passengers on the motorcyle;
and
``(II) one additional motorcycle, including passengers,
accompanying the passholder.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 4386, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
{time} 1640
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Chairman Walberg's
America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, a commonsense bill that
restores fairness and clarity for the millions of Americans who travel
to our national parks and public lands every year by motorcycle.
For years, annual entrance passes to our national parks allowed entry
for one vehicle and its passengers or, for motorcycles, two bikes
traveling together. This arrangement was practical, predictable, and
reflected how riders actually experience our Federal lands.
Yet in 2024, the Biden administration unilaterally reversed that
longstanding policy and restricted coverage to just one motorcycle per
pass. This placed unnecessary financial burdens on riders, discouraging
motorcyclists from recreating on public lands, while offering no
benefit to park operations. This change also hurt gateway communities,
as motorcycle tourism is a key driver of many small, rural economies.
Last year, President Trump and Secretary Burgum overturned this
decision, restoring access to two motorcycles per entrance pass ahead
of our Nation's 250th anniversary celebrations this year. This bill
simply codifies that decision and restores what worked.
By permanently codifying the traditional two-motorcycles-per-pass
standard, the legislation ensures parity for motorcyclists and restores
long-term affordable access to our Nation's most iconic landscapes. In
doing so, this bill directly supports the goals of President Trump's
executive orders on celebrating America's 250th birthday and making
America beautiful again by improving our national parks.
Keeping our parks welcoming and accessible while improving the
visitor experience should be a goal that we all strive for.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Chairman Walberg for his hard work on this
America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act. I urge my colleagues to
join me in supporting the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, December 5, 2025.
Hon. Bruce Westerman,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual
understanding regarding H.R. 4386, ``To amend the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify entrance
privileges for vehicles with respect to the America the
Beautiful interagency pass.'' Thank you for collaborating
with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our
jurisdiction.
The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further
consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing
consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over any subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you
support such a request.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 4386 and request a
copy of our letters on this matter be published in the
Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, December 5, 2025.
Hon. Glenn Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thompson: I write regarding H.R. 4386, ``To
amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify
entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America
the Beautiful interagency pass.'', which was ordered reported
by the Committee on Natural Resources on November 20, 2025.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and
appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of
the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture
will not formally consider H.R. 4386 and agree that the
inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not
waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained
therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name 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 and will include such letters in
the committee report on H.R. 4386. 1 appreciate your
cooperation regarding this legislation.
Sincerely,
Bruce Westerman,
Chairman.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the America the Beautiful pass is an annual interagency
pass that covers entry fees to over 2,000 recreational sites across the
country.
In 2024, an update to the pass program had the unintentional effect
of reducing the number of motorcycle riders covered under a single pass
from two motorcycles to one.
H.R. 4386 reverses that unintended consequence and reestablishes a
fair policy for motorcyclists, allowing one America the Beautiful pass
to cover the entry for a second motorcycle and its guest. This bill
corrects a bureaucratic error and improves public access to Federal
recreation sites.
I do have concerns that this administration is unnecessarily
politicizing the America the Beautiful pass by putting an image of the
President directly on the pass. Federal law requires a competition open
to the public to determine the image used on the pass, which has
traditionally showcased America's landscape or wildlife. These popular
and nonpartisan passes should celebrate our shared natural and cultural
heritage, not prop up political leaders.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan and co-chair of the
Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, Representative Walberg, for his work
on this legislation.
[[Page H2363]]
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4386 and to
support access to recreation on our public lands. I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Walberg), the chairman and lead sponsor of this bill.
Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding me
the time and for his leadership in bringing this legislation to the
floor.
Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong motorcycle rider, it is a privilege to be
here today and to speak in support of my legislation, the America the
Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, which will ensure fair access to our
Nation's national parks and public lands for motorcyclists.
Historically, the America the Beautiful pass has permitted entry for
one noncommercial passenger vehicle with multiple passengers, two
motorcycles, or a group of bicyclists accompanying one passholder.
However, in 2024, the Biden administration changed its policy, I
believe, to unfairly restrict access for motorcycles to one bike per
pass instead of two. Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Burgum
have restored common sense, and in November, they announced the America
the Beautiful pass would once again allow for entry for two bikes per
pass.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we can ensure motorcycle
enthusiasts from across the country have access to our Nation's
national parks. These most magnificent places are testaments to
America's greatness and the majestic landscapes that stretch across our
great Nation.
By restoring parity for motorcycle riders, we will expand access
opportunities, strengthen local economies that depend on tourism as
well, and allow our fellow Americans to explore our historic landmarks
in the best way possible: on two wheels in the open air.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again thank Chairman Walberg for his
leadership on behalf of millions of motorcyclists who will benefit from
the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act. Whether people
choose to access our public lands by car, bicycle, motorcycle, or on
foot, the price you pay at the gate should not be a barrier to entry.
Chairman Walberg's bill makes our national parks and public lands more
affordable, encourages greater motorcycle tourism, and restores
commonsense parity for millions of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4386,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4386, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________