[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14108-14110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        OUTDOOR RECREATION JOBS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT ACT OF 2016

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4665) to require the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an 
assessment and analysis of the outdoor recreation economy of the United 
States, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4665

       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 ``Outdoor Recreation Jobs and 
     Economic Impact Act of 2016''.

[[Page 14109]]



     SEC. 2. ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY 
                   OF THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Assessment and Analysis.--The Secretary of Commerce 
     shall enter into a joint memorandum with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct, 
     acting through the Director of the Bureau of Economic 
     Analysis, an assessment and analysis of the outdoor 
     recreation economy of the United States and the effects 
     attributable to such economy on the overall economy of the 
     United States.
       (b) Considerations.--In conducting the assessment required 
     by subsection (a), the Secretary of Commerce may consider 
     employment, sales, and contributions to travel and tourism, 
     and such other contributing components of the outdoor 
     recreation economy of the United States as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       (c) Consultation.--In carrying out the assessment required 
     by subsection (a), the Secretary of Commerce shall consult 
     with--
       (1) the heads of such agencies and offices of the Federal 
     Government as the Secretary considers appropriate, including 
     the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, 
     the Federal Recreation Council, the Director of the Bureau of 
     the Census, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor 
     Statistics; and
       (2) representatives of businesses, including small business 
     concerns, that engage in commerce in the outdoor recreation 
     economy of the United States.
       (d) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
     submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
     the findings of the Secretary with respect to the assessment 
     conducted under subsection (a).
       (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the 
     Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate;
       (D) the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of 
     the Senate;
       (E) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (F) the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (e) Small Business Concern Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``small business concern'' has the meaning given such 
     term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     632).
       (f) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No additional funds 
     are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act. 
     Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts 
     otherwise authorized.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include any extraneous material in the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4665, the Outdoor 
Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016. The outdoor recreation 
industry encompasses activities and sports such as bicycling, camping, 
hunting, fishing, off-roading, and wildlife viewing, and is enjoyed by 
consumers of all ages, all ethnicities, all income levels.
  This industry has become a significant engine for economic growth and 
job creation in the United States. Despite the growing contributions 
made by the outdoor recreation industry to the United States economy, 
the industry's full economic impact has not been measured and not 
accounted for like other economic sectors.
  H.R. 4665 would ensure that the outdoor recreation economy is 
measured and is accounted for by the Federal Government as part of the 
country's gross domestic product, as it has done for many other 
economic sectors.
  The work that is directed to be done by the Department of Commerce, 
in consultation with other Federal agencies, would not require new 
employees and would use existing funds within that agency.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4665.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 4665, the Outdoor REC Act, recognizes the important 
contributions of outdoor recreation to our economy. Outdoor recreation 
provides an estimated 6 million direct jobs, including an estimated 
200,000 jobs in my home State of Illinois. It promotes travel and 
tourism. Ultimately, getting Americans outside to enjoy our Nation's 
natural wonders promotes an appreciation for our environment.
  This bill would build on efforts at the Department of Commerce to 
understand the economic impact of outdoor recreation by directing a 
report to Congress, helping inform policy and industry.
  I want to thank Representatives Beyer, Reichert, Welch, and McMorris 
Rodgers for their work to advance this bipartisan legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
4665, the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016.
  The REC Act would allow for the first ever economic analysis of the 
outdoor recreation industry. Over 140 million Americans participate in 
outdoor activities each year, such as biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, 
and boating, to name just a few.
  Studies have shown that outdoor recreation is a driving force in our 
economy and that the industry is continuing to grow. I have seen this 
firsthand in my district, which is home to 100 miles of coastline and 
beaches, a large tourism sector, and endless opportunities to go 
outside and enjoy our beautiful landscape.
  Yet, despite the estimated billions in annual consumer spending on 
outdoor recreation and millions of jobs created, there is a lack of 
data on the full economic impact of the industry. For instance, there 
is a large manufacturing component that goes hand in hand with the 
outdoor recreation industry. Much of the gear and apparel used in 
outdoor activities is made and sold right here in the United States to 
the tune of millions of dollars.
  The REC Act would ensure that this data and the entire outdoor 
recreation industry is fully studied so that we can make informed 
policy and business decisions.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4665.

                              {time}  1515

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4665 is indeed a bipartisan bill, which 
my colleagues Congressman Dave Reichert, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris 
Rodgers, Congressman Peter Welch, and I introduced.
  The bill would direct the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic 
Analysis to measure, analyze, and report on the full economic impact 
attributable to the outdoor recreation economy. In the United States, 
this economy is a major driver of job creation and growth. Hiking, 
biking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, climbing, BASE jumping, you name 
the outdoor sport, it is generating revenue for our country.
  In northern Virginia, we are blessed with great outdoor opportunities 
like the W&OD Trail and the Mount Vernon Trail, and we are very excited 
by the recent development of the Capital Trails Coalition, which is 
looking at how to foster increased interconnectedness of all the trails 
in the national capital region.
  Mr. Speaker, as an avid hiker, this is very personal to me. I am now 
at 1,435 miles out of the 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and 
over those 1,435 miles, I often experience the outdoor economy 
firsthand with the number of backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, water 
filters, diners, small motels, the many, many ways we find to spend 
money while on the trail.

[[Page 14110]]

  Beyond the recharge of just being outside, I love getting to know the 
small towns and the forest communities along my hikes from Georgia to 
Maine. I know that my time spent there puts a lot more tax dollars back 
into these communities and into the local businesses, boosting the 
economy.
  According to an estimate by the Outdoor Industry Association, the 
outdoor recreation economy generates more than $646 billion in consumer 
spending and, we have already heard, more than 6 million jobs. Unlike 
other major sections of the U.S. economy, however, the Federal 
Government, until this year, did not track the contributions of the 
outdoor recreation sector to economic growth, and that left 
policymakers and business leaders in the dark. This data is going to 
help quantify the economic importance of outdoor recreation and help 
inform the decisions that affect the businesses and the 142 million 
Americans who play and work outside each year.
  We deeply believe that no child should be left inside, and H.R. 4665 
will ensure that our policymakers, our decisionmakers have the data to 
understand how we can best make this part of our economy flourish. I 
encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) for his over 1,000 miles traveled on the 
trail, so he is clearly an expert on this topic.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on the legislation, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4665, the 
``Outdoor Recreation's Economic Contributions (REC) Act of 2016.''
  H.R. 4665 will direct the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the 
Department of Commerce to collect, analyze and report information 
relating to the outdoor recreation economy of the United States and its 
economic impact on the nation's overall economy.
  Outdoor recreation generates $646 billion each year in consumer 
spending and creates 6.1 million American jobs.
  Outdoor recreation has a significant impact on the economy, 
generating three times as many jobs as the oil and gas industries.
  The state of Texas offers many amazing outdoor recreation services at 
treasured attractions such as Big Bend National Park and Garner State 
Park.
  Studies show that at least 51 percent of Texans participate in 
outdoor recreation each year.
  This activity generates approximately $28.7 billion in consumer 
spending.
  In addition, the outdoor recreation industry in Texas, generates $1.9 
billion in state and local tax revenue each year, and provides 277,000 
direct jobs resulting in approximately $8.9 billion in wages and 
salaries.
  The passage of this bill will generate objective, federal data and 
statistics that policymakers, at either the local, state or federal 
level, can use to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the 
outdoor recreation industry.
  Protecting and securing public lands and space for outdoor recreation 
is crucial for the future success of the American economy and the 
environment.
  Outdoor recreational activities contribute significantly to the 
physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellness of individuals.
  Federal lands contribute significantly to the preservation of nature-
based outdoor recreational opportunities.
  Federal recreation resources generate vast amounts of economic 
enterprise from tourist activity, recreation visitors, and the 
increased property value and business attraction gained from natural 
amenities.
  The preservation and growth of the Outdoor Recreation Industry 
depends on the informed decision of lawmakers, and the Outdoor REC Act 
of 2016 will be pivotal in providing this vital information.
  For these reasons I support H.R. 4665 the ``Outdoor Recreation's 
Economic Contribution Act of 2016.''
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4665, 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.

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