,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ahcd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #f1 #bjac ,mr4 ,grijalva introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to establish a bipartisan #bast ,century ,great ,outdoors ,commission to assess the use1 value1 job creation1 and economic opportunities associated with the outdoor resources of the public lands and other land and water areas of the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the #bast ,century ,great ,outdoors ,commission ,act4 #b4 ,establishment of commission ,there is established in the legislative branch a bipartisan #bast ,century ,great ,outdoors ,commission to assess the use1 value1 job creation1 and economic opportunities associated with the outdoor resources of the public lands and other land and water areas of the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 ,the outdoor resources of the public lands and other land and water areas of the ,united ,states confer enormous benefits on the people of the ,united ,states including providing clean water as well as economic benefits4 #c4 ,findings ,the ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,current research indicates that changing demographics1 impacts of climate change1 lack of public access1 and funding shortfalls create challenges for land and recreation managers4 ,the research also affirms that outdoor resources present opportunities for job creation and economic development4 7#b7 ,outdoor recreation is responsible for more than #fdf1jjj1jjj1jjj in direct consumer spending1 generates more than #hj1jjj1jjj1jjj in ,federal1 ,state1 and local taxes and supports more than #f1ajj1jjj ,american jobs4 7#c7 ,outdoor recreation opportunities are critical to the ,nation's #df1hjj1jjj hunters and anglers who generate at least #cc1gjj1jjj1jjj in economic activity nationwide4 7#d7 ,outdoor recreation promotes better mental and physical health for children4 ,research shows that spending time outside enhances fitness and improves academic achievement4 7#e7 ,therapeutic and adaptive recreation programs provide invaluable benefits to disabled and injured veterans4 ,these programs not only aid in physical recovery but also help to address mental health issues1 such as post-traumatic stress disorder1 and other afflictions suffered by wounded warriors4 7#f7 ,it has been increasingly clear that land and water available for outdoor recreation also has other benefits to society including the protection of water resources1 the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat1 protection of communities from natural hazards such as flooding and storms1 reduction in air pollution and sustaining rural land uses such ranching1 farming1 and forest management4 7#g7 ,the #bjaj ,census reports that four out of five ,americans now live in urban or metropolitan areas1 making the need for safe and accessible close-to-home outdoor recreation opportunities more important than ever4 7#h7 ,the ,american people have benefitted from two federally initiated national reviews of outdoor recreation resources in the latter half of the twentieth century4 ,the ,outdoor ,recreation ,resources ,review ,commission1 established by legislation and signed by ,president ,eisenhower in #aieh1 issued its report in #aifb1 which led to the passage of several landmark conservation and outdoor recreation laws4 ,the ,president's ,commission on ,outdoor ,recreation1 established by ,executive order by ,president ,reagan and ,chaired by then ,governor ,lamar ,alexander1 issued its report in #aihg1 the findings of which solidified the importance of our ,nation's outdoor recreation laws and further recognized the value of partnerships and cooperation in ensuring outdoor recreation opportunities for all ,americans4 ,the #bast ,century ,great ,outdoors ,commission established in this ,act will build upon this foundation of existing conservation and recreation programs that were created from the previous commissions and will address recreation and conservation needs in #bast century ,america4 ,further1 it will help guide policies to help meet the demands for outdoor recreation and conservation throughout the ,nation4 7#i7 ,the bipartisan ,outdoor ,resources ,review ,group1 through ,resources for the ,future1 reported on the ,state of the ,great ,outdoors in #bjji identifying issues with the supply and financing of outdoor recreation opportunities4 7#aj7 ,the ,obama ,administration launched the ,america's ,great ,outdoors ,initiative to develop a #bast century conservation and recreation agenda4 ,the ,america's ,great ,outdoors ,initiative led to the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,outdoor ,recreation1 which strives to support and enhance outdoor recreation access and opportunities on ,federal public lands1 waters1 and shores4 7#aa7 ,the bipartisan ,western ,governors' ,association released a report in #bjab identifying challenges and recommending strategies for providing outdoor recreation experiences in the ,western ,united ,states4 7#ab7 ,it has been over #be years since the last presidentially directed review of ,america's conservation and outdoor recreation needs4 ,the people of the ,united ,states would benefit from a new federally initiated bipartisan review of ,american outdoor resources and from policy recommendations including how to maximize the economic opportunities associated with changing use patterns1 how differing regions can access ,american outdoor resources1 and how ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and private interests can address existing challenges4 #d4 ,definitions ,for the purposes of this ,act3 7#a7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the #bast ,century ,great ,outdoors ,commission4 7#b7 ,outdoor resources ,the term outdoor resources means the land and water areas and associated resources of such areas in the ,united ,states and its territories and possessions1 which provide or may in the future provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoyment4 7#c7 ,outdoor recreation ,the term outdoor recreation means use of outdoor resources1 both developed and undeveloped1 in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas1 including backcountry and dispersed recreation on public lands4 #e4 ,composition of ,commission 7a7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall be composed of #aa members1 appointed not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 as follows3 7,a7 ,two members who shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,b7 ,one member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,c7 ,two members who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate4 7,d7 ,one member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate4 7,e7 ,five members who shall be appointed by the ,president from among persons who are broadly representative of the people of the ,united ,states1 only two of which shall be from the ,president's political party4 7#b7 ,term ,each member shall be appointed for the life of the ,commission4 7#c7 ,vacancy ,a vacancy in the ,commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made4 7b7 ,compensation 7#a7 ,per diem ,each member of the ,commission may be compensated at an amount not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecae of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,expenses ,while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the ,commission1 members of the ,commission shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the ,government service are allowed expenses under section #egjc7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7c7 ,meetings2 ,quorum2 ,rules of ,procedure 7#a7 ,initial meeting ,not later than #cj days after the date on which all members of the ,commission have been appointed1 the ,commission shall hold its first meeting4 ,at the first meeting1 the ,commission shall designate a chair4 7#b7 ,subsequent ,meetings ,subsequent meetings shall be held at the call of the ,chair4 7#c7 ,quorum ,five members of the ,commission shall constitute a quorum1 but a lesser number may hold hearings4 7#d7 ,rules ,the ,commission may establish rules of procedure for the conduct of the ,commission's business1 if such rules are not inconsistent with this ,act or other applicable law4 7d7 ,advisory ,council ,the ,commission shall establish an advisory council to assist the ,commission in carrying out its duties4 ,the ,advisory ,council shall consist of the liaison officers involved with the ,federal ,interagency ,council on ,outdoor ,recreation1 together with #bj additional members appointed by the ,commission4 ,the ,commission shall consider broad-based geographical and interest representation1 including citizens involved with local parks and recreation centers1 outdoor recreation at the local1 ,state1 and ,federal levels1 public health1 local recreation businesses1 hunting and fishing activities1 other wildlife interests1 land conservation1 historic1 and cultural preservation1 and other natural resource-based activities4 #f4 ,duties 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission1 in its inquiries1 findings1 and recommendations1 shall recognize that-- 7#a7 present and future solutions to problems of outdoor resources and opportunities are responsibilities at all levels of government1 from local to ,federal1 and of individuals and private organizations2 7#b7 lands1 waters1 forest1 rangelands1 wetlands1 wildlife1 and such other natural resources serve multiple purposes2 and 7#c7 sound planning of resource use for the full future welfare of the ,nation must include coordination and integration of multiple uses such as economic development1 energy development1 recreation1 historic preservation1 and conservation4 7b7 ,specific duties ,the duties of the ,commission are as follows3 7#a7 ,review and augment existing contemporary research on outdoor resources1 including numerous economic studies1 and identify areas that have not been thoroughly researched4 7#b7 ,use existing research to better determine use patterns1 expectations1 and resource needs4 7#c7 ,conduct detailed case studies of use1 challenges1 and successes associated with outdoor resources in every region of the ,united ,states to better understand regional opportunities and challenges in urban1 suburban1 and rural areas4 ,the ,commission1 working with the ,advisory ,council1 shall determine regional boundaries and case study locations4 7#d7 ,evaluate existing ,federal funding programs to determine how well they can work better to accomplish more conservation and recreation objectives4 7#e7 ,evaluate the role that the ,federal ,government plays in preserving and enhancing recreational opportunities and associated regional economies vis--vis ,states1 localities1 and the private sector4 7#f7 ,evaluate and identify opportunities1 practices1 and investment strategies where the conservation of land for outdoor recreation can also serve other needs such as-- 7,a7 the responsible and effective reuse of relinquished military property for public benefit2 7,b7 protection of water resources2 7,c7 the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat2 7,d7 providing buffers from natural hazards such as storms and floods2 and 7,e7 sustaining traditional uses of rural land such farming1 ranching1 and forest management4 7#g7 ,provide policy recommendations1 including recommendations on how to-- 7,a7 address key challenges such as climate change2 7,b7 use outdoor resources to improve health2 7,c7 account for the effects of increasing urbanization on outdoor resources and recreation2 7,d7 maximize access to recreation for underserved communities1 including outdoor programs for youth2 7,e7 maximize access to adaptive and therapeutic recreation programs for disabled and injured veterans2 7,f7 use recreation to strengthen regional economies2 7,g7 preserve regional recreation economies2 and 7,h7 improve the use of existing funding and programs for conservation and recreation4 7c7 ,reports 7#a7 ,interim and progress reports ,the ,commission1 on its own initiative or on request of the ,president or the ,congress1 shall prepare interim or progress reports on particular phases of its review4 7#b7 ,final report ,not later than #ah months after the date on which all members of the ,commission have been appointed1 the ,commission shall present a report of its review and its recommendations to the ,president1 ,congress1 and ,state ,governors4 ,the report and recommendations shall-- 7,a7 be presented in such form as to make them of maximum value to ,state1 local1 and regional entities2 7,b7 include recommendations as to means whereby the review may effectively be kept current in the future2 and 7,c7 include recommendations for the near future and for further action in #bjbj and #bjdj4 #g4 ,powers of the ,commission 7a7 ,contracting ,the ,commission may1 to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in ,acts of appropriation1 enter into contracts to enable the ,commission to discharge its duties under this ,act4 7b7 ,information from ,federal agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission is authorized to secure directly from any executive department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government1 information1 suggestions1 estimates1 and statistics for the purposes of this ,act4 ,each department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality shall1 to the extent authorized by law1 furnish such information1 suggestions1 estimates1 and statistics directly to the ,commission1 upon request made by the chairman1 the chairman of any subcommittee created by a majority of the ,commission1 or any member designated by a majority of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,receipt1 handling1 storage1 and dissemination ,information shall only be received1 handled1 stored1 and disseminated by members of the ,commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes1 regulations1 and ,executive orders4 7c7 ,assistance from ,federal agencies 7#a7 ,general services administration ,the ,administrator of ,general ,services shall provide to the ,commission1 on a reimbursable basis1 administrative support and other services for the performance of the ,commission's functions4 7#b7 ,other departments and agencies ,in addition to assistance under paragraph 7#a71 departments and agencies of the ,united ,states may provide to the ,commission such services1 funds1 facilities1 staff1 and other support services as they determine advisable and as may be authorized by law4 7d7 ,gifts ,the ,commission may accept1 use1 and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property4 7e7 ,postal services ,the ,commission may use the ,united ,states mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments and agencies of the ,united ,states4 #h4 ,staff 7a7 ,in ,general 7#a7 ,compensation ,the chairman1 in accordance with rules agreed upon by the ,commission1 may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the ,commission to carry out its functions1 without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of such title relating to classification and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecaf of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,personnel as ,federal employees 7,a7 ,in general ,the executive director and any personnel of the ,commission who are employees shall be employees under section #baje of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for purposes of chapters #fc1 #ha1 #hc1 #hd1 #he1 #hg1 #hi1 and #ij of that title4 7,b7 ,members of commission ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not be construed to apply to members of the ,commission4 7b7 ,detailees ,any ,federal ,government employee may be detailed to the ,commission without reimbursement from the ,commission1 and such detailee shall retain the rights1 status1 and privileges of his or her regular employment without interruption4 7c7 ,expert and consultant services ,the ,commission is authorized to procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section #caji of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecae of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,volunteer services ,notwithstanding section #acdb of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,commission may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the ,commission determines necessary4 #i4 ,nonapplicability of ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall not apply to the ,commission4 7b7 ,public meetings and release of public versions of reports ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate2 and 7#b7 release public versions of the reports required under section #f7;c74 7c7 ,public hearings ,any public hearings of the ,commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the ,commission as required by any applicable statute1 regulation1 or ,executive order4 #aj4 ,termination of commission 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission1 and all the authorities of this ,act1 shall terminate #fj days after the date on which the final report is submitted under section #f7;c74 7b7 ,administrative activities before termination ,the ,commission may use the #fj-;day period referred to in subsection 7a7 for the purpose of concluding its activities1 including providing testimony to committees of ,congress concerning its reports and disseminating the final report4