Library / Laws / 113th / hr / H.R. 5204 / Reported in House
I
Calendar No. 537
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5204
[Report No. 113–706, Part I]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2014
Mr. Bishop of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
December 22, 2014
Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources
December 22, 2014 The Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to
be printed
A BILL
To amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to improve recreation opportunities and
increase consistency and accountability in the collection and expenditure
of recreation fees collected on public lands and forests, and for other
purposes.
1.
Short title
(a)
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014.
(b)
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. References to Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Recreation fee authority.
Sec. 5. Public participation.
Sec. 6. Recreation passes.
Sec. 7. Special account.
Sec. 8. Expenditures.
Sec. 9. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 10. Sunset provision.
Sec. 11. Volunteers.
Sec. 12. Enforcement.
Sec. 13. Repeal of superseded admission and use fees.
Sec. 14. Relationship to other laws.
2.
References to Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act
Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed
in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a provision, the reference
shall be considered to be made to a provision of the Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act (title VIII of division J of Public Law
108–447; 16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.).
3.
Definitions
(a)
New fee names
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 802 (16 U.S.C. 6801) are amended to read as follows:
(1)
Day Use Fee
The term day use fee means the recreation fee authorized by section 803(f).
(2)
Amenity Fee
The term amenity fee means the recreation fee authorized by section 803(g).
.
(b)
Federal land management agency
Section 802(4) (16 U.S.C. 6801(4)) is amended by inserting or agency before means the National.
(c)
Recreation fee
Section 802(8) (16 U.S.C. 6801(8)) is amended by striking standard amenity recreation fee, expanded amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee, amenity fee.
(d)
New definitions
Section 802 (16 U.S.C. 6801) is further amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (13) as paragraphs (11) through (14), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new paragraph:
(10)
Recreation service provider
The term recreation service provider means any entity that provides any recreation service on Federal recreational lands and waters for
which the provider charges a fee for the service.
; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(15)
Unit
The term unit means an individual unit of the National Park System, National Forest System, National Wildlife
Refuge System, or similar area.
.
(e)
Technical corrections
Section 802 (16 U.S.C. 6801) is further amended—
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking this Act and inserting this title;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking section 5 and inserting section 805;
(3) in paragraph (9), by striking section 5 and inserting section 805;
(4) in paragraph (13), as redesignated by subsection (d)(1), by striking section 7 and inserting section 807; and
(5) in paragraph (14), as redesignated by subsection (d)(1), by striking section 3(h) and inserting section 803(h).
4.
Recreation fee authority
(a)
Sole authority
Section 803(a) (16 U.S.C. 6802(a)) is amended by inserting only after waters.
(b)
Fee basis
Section 803(b) (16 U.S.C. 6802(b)) is amended by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
(5) The Secretary shall consider access to recreation opportunities.
.
(c)
Limitations
Section 803(d) (16 U.S.C. 6802(d)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking standard amenity recreation fee or expanded amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee or amenity fee;
(B) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (F) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
(A) For any site, area, or activity, except as specifically authorized under this section.
; and
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) through (K) as subparagraphs (B) through (F), respectively; and
(2) in paragraph (3)—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking standard amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking educational purposes by schools or bona fide academic institutions and inserting , non-recreational educational purposes by schools or bona fide academic institutions when the
students are pursuing academic credit and the Secretary has provided prior
approval for a fee waiver.
(d)
Entrance fees
Section 803(e) (16 U.S.C. 6802(e)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs:
(2)
Policies
The Secretary shall—
(A) treat a motorcycle or snowmobile, when used as transportation to enter a unit, as a motor vehicle
for the purposes of collecting entrance fees and shall charge a consistent
per vehicle rate; and
(B) determine, by agency, a nationally consistent entrance fee policy and corresponding rate structure,
including a schedule for general visitors, commercial and noncommercial
recreational tours or groups, and commercial air tours.
(3)
Transportation Services
At a unit of the National Park System where the Secretary provides a transportation service, either
as a Government service or through agreement or contract, the Secretary
may charge transportation users a transportation fee alone (consistent
with section 501 of the National Park Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (16
U.S.C. 5981) and other authorities) or in combination with an entrance
fee. However, the transportation fee or combined transportation and
entrance fee may not exceed the entrance fee charged at other similar
units as identified in the national entrance fee policy under paragraph
(2)(B).
.
(e)
Day use fee
Subsection (f) of section 803 (16 U.S.C. 6802) is amended to read as follows:
(f)
Day Use Fee
(1)
Authorized sites for day use fees
The Secretary may charge a day use fee for Federal recreational lands and waters under the
jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation,
or the Forest Service at the following:
(A) A National Conservation Area.
(B) A National Volcanic Monument.
(C) A destination visitor or interpretive center that provides a broad range of interpretative
services, programs and media.
(D) Sites of concentrated public use that are managed primarily for outdoor recreation purposes where
there has been a substantial Federal investment in facilities and services
that are necessary to accommodate heavy public use, public access to the
site is provided in such a manner that fees can be effectively collected
at one or more centralized locations, the site has regularly serviced and
well maintained toilet facilities and contains at least four of the
following:
(i) Designated developed parking.
(ii) Trash collection.
(iii) Permanent interpretative materials.
(iv) Picnic tables.
(v) Routine presence of agency personnel.
(2)
Single fee for multiple sites
If there are two or more sites of concentrated public use located within one-half mile of each
other, the Secretary may charge a single day use fee for the sites and the
area between the sites.
(3)
Policy
The Secretary shall determine, by agency, a nationally consistent day use fee policy and rate
structure.
(4)
Initial implementation
(A)
Initial list of fee sites
No later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014, the Secretary shall—
(i) publish in the Federal Register and on the agency’s website a list of all sites for which day use
fees are proposed to be collected; and
(ii) provide a 60-day public comment period regarding such list.
(B)
Final list of fee sites
No later than 120 days after the close of the public comment period required by subparagraph
(A)(ii), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register and on the
agency’s website the final list of sites for which day use fees are to be
collected.
(5)
Transition
The Secretary may continue to collect fees in effect on the date of the enactment of Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014 for a period not to exceed 180 days from the date the final list of day use fee sites is published
pursuant to paragraph (4)(B). However, the Secretary may not increase or
impose new fees using this transition authority.
.
(f)
Amenity fee
Section 803(g) (16 U.S.C. 6802(g)) is amended—
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking Expanded Amenity Recreation and inserting Amenity;
(2) by striking paragraph (1);
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1) and in such paragraph—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
(i) by striking expanded amenity recreation fee, either in addition to a standard amenity fee and inserting amenity fee, either in addition to a day use fee or entrance fee; and
(ii) by striking under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Bureau of
Reclamation, but only;
(B) in subparagraph (A)—
(i) by striking Tent and inserting Developed tent; and
(ii) by striking clauses (vii) through (ix) and inserting the following new clauses:
(vii) Trash collection.
(viii) Regularly serviced and well maintained toilet facilities.
;
(C) in subparagraph (E), by inserting before the period the following: when the user has not paid an amenity fee under subparagraph (A) the prior night;
(D) by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
(F) Highly specialized interpretative programs; guided walks, talks, and tours of substantial length;
programs that require specialized equipment; specialized non-public
programs; and other interpretative services for which the Secretary incurs
significant costs. However, before the Secretary may charge a fee for
interpretative programs, the Secretary shall identify basic interpretative
programs and services, including tours required to provide basic visitor
access to a primary resource in a unit, that will be provided free of
charge.
;
(E) in subparagraph (H), by inserting before the period the following: subject to subsection (e)(3); and
(F) in subparagraph (J)—
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting or hot spring after swimming sites;
(ii) in clause (i), by striking flush toilets and inserting regularly serviced and well maintained toilets;
(iii) in clause (ii), by striking Refuse containers and inserting Trash collection; and
(iv) in clause (v), by inserting or swimming instructors after lifeguards; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(2)
National Park Service and United States Fish and Wildlife Service Additional Authority
Except as limited by subsection (d), the Secretary may charge an additional amenity fee at Federal
recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the National Park
Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service when the Secretary
determines that the visitor uses a specific or specialized facility,
equipment, or service not otherwise included under paragraph (1).
.
(g)
Special Recreation Permit and Fee
Subsection (h) of section 803 (16 U.S.C. 6802) is amended to read as follows:
(h)
Special Recreation Permit and Fee
(1)
In General
The Secretary may—
(A) issue a special recreation permit for Federal recreational lands and waters; and
(B) charge a special recreation permit fee in connection with the issuance of the permit.
(2)
Special Recreation Permits
The Secretary may issue special recreation permits in the following circumstances:
(A) For specialized individual and group use of Federal facilities and Federal recreational lands and
waters, such as, but not limited to, use of special areas or areas where
use is allocated, motorized recreational vehicle use, and group activities
or events.
(B) To recreation service providers who conduct outfitting, guiding, and other recreation services on
Federal recreational lands and waters managed by the Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service.
(C) To recreation service providers who conduct recreation or competitive events, which may involve
incidental sales on Federal recreational lands and waters managed by the
Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(3)
Reduction in Federal Costs
To reduce Federal costs in administering this subsection, the issuance of a new special recreation
permit for activities under paragraph (2)(B) that have been considered
under previous analysis or that are similar to existing uses or are not
inconsistent with approved uses and will not substantially increase the
use of an area shall not constitute a major Federal action for the
purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq.).
(4)
Single Permits
The Secretary may issue a single permit, administered by one agency (including the National Park
Service), to authorize a recreation service provider to provide services
or for an event on lands managed by multiple agencies. The authorized
official in the agency issuing the permit under this authority must have a
delegation of authority for the administration of the permit from the
other relevant agencies and must comply with the applicable laws of each
relevant agency. Nothing in this subsection shall alter, expand, or limit
the applicability of any public law or regulation to lands administered by
the participating agencies.
(5)
Guidelines and Permit Fee Calculation
(A)
Guidelines and exclusion of certain revenues
The Secretary shall publish guidelines in the Federal Register for how recreation permit fees shall
be established that will provide appropriate deductions for revenue from
goods, services, or activities provided by the recreation service provider
outside Federal recreational lands and waters and a deduction for fees to
paid for other Federal lands if separate permits are issued for a single
event.
(B)
Revenue exclusions
Revenue exclusions under subparagraph (A) shall include, but not be limited to, revenue from goods
or services provided by the recreation service provider outside the
Federal recreational lands and waters, such as—
(i) costs for transportation, lodging, and other services before or after a trip begins;
(ii) deductions for activities outside public lands or on other Federal lands if separate permits are
issued.
(C)
Fee conditions
The fee charged by the Secretary for a permit issued under paragraph (2)(B) shall not exceed 3
percent of the recreational service provider’s annual gross revenue for
activities authorized by the permit, plus applicable revenue additions,
minus applicable revenue exclusions or a similar flat per person fee. The
fee charged by the Secretary for a permit issued under paragraph (2)(C)
shall include appropriate reductions and additions based on the direct
costs incurred by the Secretary for management of the event.
(6)
Bureau of Land Management
The Secretary may issue a recreation concession permit to authorize a third party to provide
facilities and services to visitors on Federal recreational lands and
waters managed by the Bureau of Land Management in support of outdoor
recreational opportunities in accordance with the applicable land use
plan. Any such permit shall provide for monetary compensation to the
Federal Government for the rights and privileges provided, with collected
funds deposited in the accounts established under section 807 of this Act,
to be available without further appropriation and to remain available
until expended. Facilities and services provided under existing recreation
concessions and recreation lease agreements on Bureau of Land Management
managed public lands may continue pursuant to the terms and conditions of
each agreement.
(7)
Stewardship Program
(A)
Establishment
Within 18 months after the date of the enactment of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014, the Secretary shall establish, at no fewer than 20 sites located on Federal recreational lands
and waters administered by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management, a stewardship program for recreation service providers
involving credit against a required special recreation permit fee in
exchange for otherwise unreimbursed maintenance and resource protection
work performed with the permission of the relevant Federal agency.
(B)
Eligibility
Under the stewardship program required by this paragraph, a recreation service provider shall
submit to the Secretary—
(i) the provider’s qualifications to adequately and safely perform the proposed maintenance and
resource protection work;
(ii) an itemized accounting of labor and material costs associated with such maintenance and resource
protection work;
(iii) a commitment to share the costs of the proposed maintenance and resource protection work; and
(iv) permission from the relevant Federal agency to perform the proposed maintenance and resource
protection work.
(C)
Review and approval
The Secretary shall review promptly a proposal submitted to participate in the stewardship program
and approve any such submission that the Secretary finds adequately meets
the eligibility criteria specified in subparagraph (B).
(D)
Report
Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a status
report on the stewardship program, including the number of participating
sites, total amount of the credits granted, and suggestions for revising
the program.
(8)
Disclosure of fees
A holder of a special recreation permit may inform its customers of the various fees charged by the
Secretary under this title.
.
(h)
Additional provisions
Section 803 (16 U.S.C. 6802) is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
(i)
Notice of recreational fees and recreation passes
The Secretary shall post clear notice of any fee and available recreation passes at appropriate
locations at each site of Federal recreational lands and waters for which
any fee is charged. The Secretary shall include such notice in
publications distributed at the unit and on agency websites.
(j)
Use of technology
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall use technology and automation to increase
accountability, efficiency, and the convenience of paying recreation fees.
(k)
Visitor centers
(1)
In general
Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall not enter into agreements for the operation
of a visitor center with private for-profit or non-profit organizations
that intend to charge a fee for visitors to access a visitor center or a
basic visitor center exhibit.
(2)
Exceptions
Nothing in paragraph (1) prohibits the Secretary from—
(A) charging a recreation fee at a visitor or interpretative center as otherwise provided for in this
title; or
(B) entering into a fee management agreement for the collection of the recreation fee.
(l)
Congressional Approval of Certain New or Increased Fees
(1)
Submission of list of existing fees
Within six months after the date of the enactment of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014, the Secretary shall—
(A) compile a comprehensive list of all fees (except special recreation permit fees) charged at Federal
recreational lands and waters by Federal land management agencies as of
the date of the enactment of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014; and
(B) submit this list to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate.
(2)
Prohibition on new fees or fee increases
Except as provided in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), the Secretaries may not increase or impose any
new entrance fees, day use fees, or amenity fees.
(3)
Submission of proposed fee schedule
By June 1 of each year, the Secretaries shall propose a single schedule of any new or increased
entrance fees, day use fees, or amenity fees and transmit this schedule to
the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate.
(4)
Congressional approval required
No new or increased entrance fee, day use fee, or amenity fee may be imposed unless approved by Act
of Congress.
(5)
Emergency situations
If the Secretaries determine that recreational opportunities on Federal recreational lands and
waters would be severely curtailed or that an emergency affecting human
health or unforeseen events exists, the Secretaries may transmit proposed
selective new or increased entrance fees, day use fees, or amenity fees to
the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate for approval by Act of Congress.
(m)
Grandfathering existing permits
Any special recreation permit issued under this title before the date of the enactment of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014 shall continue—
(1) to be managed pursuant to this section, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of
the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014; and
(2) to be valid and remain in effect, under its terms and notwithstanding section 810, until the permit
expires, is revoked, or is suspended according to the terms of the permit.
(n)
Discounted or free admission days or use
The Secretary may provide free admission or use days of Federal recreational lands and waters. The
Secretary shall not establish any additional discounts except as provided
in this title or by another provision of law.
.
(i)
Technical corrections
Section 803(d) (16 U.S.C. 6802(d)) is further amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking this Act and inserting this title; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by subsection (c)(1)(C), by striking part of the Federal-aid System and inserting Federal-aid highway; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking this Act and inserting this title.
5.
Public participation
Section 804 (16 U.S.C. 6803) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking this Act and inserting this title; and
(2) by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) and inserting the following new subsections:
(b)
Entrance Fees, Day Use Fees, and Amenity Fees
For entrance fees, day use fees and amenity fees, the Secretary may—
(1) publish notice in the Federal Register of any unit newly subject to an entrance fee, day use fee,
or amenity fee;
(2) publish on the website recreation.gov or another similar interagency website, in local newspapers,
on agency websites, at proposed and established collection points, on
social media applications, and in publications distributed near the site
for which the fee would be collected—
(A) any proposed new or increased fee;
(B) the unit and agency proposing the new or increased fee;
(C) the process by which to comment on the proposed new or increased fee; and
(D) subject to paragraph (3), when the opportunity for comment closes;
(3) allow at least 60 days public comment after publication of notice under paragraph (2);
(4) at least 120 days before the implementation of the new or increased fee, publish notice of a
decision to implement a new or increased fee in local newspapers, on the
agency websites, at proposed and established collection points, on social
media applications, and in publications distributed near the site for
which the fee will be collected; and
(5) not less frequently than every other year, solicit public comment for at least 60 days on how fee
revenue should be expended at each unit.
(c)
Special Recreation Permit Fees
For special recreation permit fees authorized by section 803(h)(2)(A), the Secretary shall—
(1) if the fee is for reoccurring recreational uses for which standard fee rates can be established,
follow, to the extent practicable and appropriate, the procedures in
subsection (b); and
(2) if the fee is based on recovering the costs associated with issuing and managing the permit,
establish guidelines for how fees will be established and publish the
guidelines in the Federal Register.
(d)
New Concession Opportunities
The Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public involvement 180 days before a new site or
area, including a campground, is offered as a new concession opportunity
on Federal recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the
Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management by publishing a notice in the
Federal Register and soliciting comments.
.
6.
Recreation passes
(a)
America the Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Section 805(a) (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by inserting be available to United States citizens and permanent residents and before cover; and
(B) by striking standard amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee both places it appears;
(2) in paragraph (2)—
(A) by striking shall hold an annual and inserting may hold a; and
(B) by striking “for an year.” and all that follows through the end of the following sentence and
inserting a period;
(3) in paragraph (5), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The Secretaries shall adjust the price of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
once every three years to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index
for All Urban Consumers (CPI–U) over the same period, rounding figures so
as to increase or decrease the price in even five-dollar increments.;
(4) in paragraph (6)(A), by striking standard amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee;
(5) in paragraph (9), by adding or discount pass after pass; and
(6) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(10)
Pass Use Study
The Secretaries shall conduct a study to evaluate how, where, and the extent to which the National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is used and shall submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report
containing the results of the study.
.
(b)
Discounted passes
Section 805(b) (16 U.S.C. 6804(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting or is a veteran with a service-connected disability, as defined in section 101 of title 38, United
States Code before , if the citizen or person; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
(3)
United states armed forces discount
The Secretary may make an annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available
without charge to any member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marine Corps, and Coast Guard if such person presents a Common Access card
or similar identification as determined by the Secretary.
(4)
Amenity fee discount
The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under paragraphs (1) and (2)
shall include an amenity fee discount as charged under section
803(g)(1)(A).
(5)
Prohibition on other discounted passes
The Secretary may not establish any discounted passes, except as provided in this section.
.
(c)
Site-Specific agency passes
Section 805(c) (16 U.S.C. 6804(c)) is amended by striking standard amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee.
(d)
Discounted or free admission days or use
Section 805 (16 U.S.C. 6804) is amended—
(1) by striking subsection (e); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e).
(e)
Pass and Discount Acceptance by Concessionaires
Section 805 (16 U.S.C. 6804) is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(f)
Pass and Discount Acceptance by Concessionaires
(1)
Acceptance
Subject to valid existing rights, and to the extent reimbursement is practical, the Secretary shall
require concessionaires operating federally owned campgrounds and day use
facilities on Federal recreational lands and waters to accept a
recreational pass issued under this title or section 4 of the Land and
Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l–6a) for discounted or
free use, as applicable.
(2)
Reimbursement
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall reimburse a concessionaire in part or in whole for
acceptance under paragraph (1) of a recreational pass in an amount not to
exceed the total land use or franchise fee due to the Federal Government.
.
(f)
Technical correction
Section 805(a)(6)(B) (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(6)(B)) is amended by striking section 6 and inserting section 6805.
7.
Special account
(a)
Distribution of revenues
Section 807(c)(1) (16 U.S.C. 6806(c)(1)) is amended—
(1) by striking or area each place it appears;
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking 80 percent and inserting 90 percent; and
(3) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The Secretary shall provide notice to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate whenever an allocation is being reduced..
(b)
Technical corrections
Section 807 (16 U.S.C. 6806) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b), by striking this Act and inserting this title;
(2) in subsection (d), by striking section 5(a)(7) and inserting section 6804(a)(7); and
(3) in subsection (e), by striking section 5(d) and inserting section 6804(d).
8.
Expenditures
(a)
Use of fees at specific site or area
Section 808(a) (16 U.S.C. 6807(a)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
(2) shall be used to develop and enhance existing recreation opportunities;
(3) shall directly benefit visitors to Federal recreational lands and waters;
; and
(3) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph (1)—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting visitor before health; and
(B) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
(E) capital construction costs associated with administering the recreation fee program; and
.
(b)
Limitation on use of fees
Section 808(b) (16 U.S.C. 6807(b)) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the
following: , reducing or limiting visitor access, to remove or close facilities except when those facilities
are being replaced or updated, and acquisition of lands and waters..
(c)
Overhead, Administrative, and Collection Costs Cap
Subsection (c) of section 808 (16 U.S.C. 6807) is amended to read as follows:
(c)
Overhead, Administrative, and Collection Costs Cap
(1)
Overhead and administrative costs
The Secretary may not use more than five percent of total revenues collected annually under this
title for overhead and administrative costs.
(2)
Collection costs
The Secretary may not spend more than 20 percent of total revenues collected annually under this
title for all direct fee collection costs.
(3)
Use of certain revenues
Revenues from special recreation permits issued to recreation service providers under subparagraphs
(B) and (C) of section 803(h)(1) shall be used—
(A) to partially offset the Secretary’s direct cost of administering the permits; and
(B) to improve and stream-line the permitting process.
.
(d)
Notice of Fee Projects
Section 808 (16 U.S.C. 6807) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(e)
Notice of Fee Projects
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall post clear notice of locations where work is
performed using recreation fee or recreation pass revenues collected under
this title.
.
(e)
Technical corrections
Section 808 (16 U.S.C. 6807) is further amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(5)(F), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), by striking section 6(a) and inserting section 6805(a); and
(2) in subsection (d)—
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking this Act and inserting this title;
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking section 5(a)(7) and inserting section 6804(a)(7); and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking section 5(d) and inserting section 6804(d).
9.
Reporting requirements
Section 809 (16 U.S.C. 6808) is amended to read as follows:
809.
Reporting requirements
(a)
Cost accounting systems
The Secretaries shall develop and maintain cost accounting systems necessary to accurately track,
manage, and report fee receipts and expenditures at each unit. The
Secretary may extend fee revenue to acquire and develop such systems as
needed, as a direct operating or administration cost allowed under section
808(c).
(b)
Annual reporting
No later than May 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall compile by each agency,
broken down by unit, a separate accounting for the preceding fiscal year
of—
(1) total recreational fee revenue collected by type;
(2) expenditures by project from these accounts;
(3) a description of how expenditure benefitted visitors to the unit;
(4) any new fees established; and
(5) any changes in existing fees.
(c)
Submission
No later than June 1 of each year, the Secretary shall—
(1) display all information required under this section prominently on each agency’s website and on the
website identified in section 804(b)(2); and
(2) provide notice of such information to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate.
(d)
Audits
The Secretary shall develop a program of regular audits at fee collection units to ensure
accountability of funds collected under this title and all expenditures
under this title.
.
10.
Sunset provision
Section 810 (16 U.S.C. 6809) is amended—
(1) by striking this Act and inserting this title; and
(2) by striking 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act and inserting on December 31, 2020.
11.
Volunteers
(a)
Waiver or discount of fees; site-Specific agency pass
Section 811(b) (16 U.S.C. 6810(b)) is amended by striking standard amenity recreation fee, or an expanded amenity recreation fee and inserting day use fee, or amenity fee.
(b)
Technical corrections
Section 811 (16 U.S.C. 6810) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b), by striking section 5(c) and inserting section 6804(c);
(2) in subsection (c), by striking section 5(a)(7) and inserting section 6804(a)(7); and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking section 5(d) and inserting section 6804(d).
12.
Enforcement
(a)
Required payment
Section 812 (16 U.S.C. 6811) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:
(b)
Required payment
(1)
In general
Any person within a site or an area for which an entrance fee or day use fee is charged is required
to pay the entrance fee or day use fee.
(2)
Exception
Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who—
(A) is using a valid National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass; or
(B) is a volunteer with a waiver or discount of fees under section 811(b).
(3)
Receipt
Upon payment of an entrance fee or day use fee by a person, the Secretary shall provide for the
issuance to the person of a nontransferable receipt or other form of proof
of payment, valid for entry and reentry into the same site or area for a
period of no less than one day.
.
(b)
Technical corrections
Section 812 (16 U.S.C. 6811) is further amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking this Act and inserting this title; and
(2) in subsection (e), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), by striking this Act and inserting this title.
13.
Repeal of superseded admission and use fees
(a)
Repeal of additional provisions
Section 813(a) (16 U.S.C. 6812(a)) is amended by striking and (i) (except for paragraph (1)(C)) and inserting (i), (l), (m), and (n) (except for paragraph (5)).
(b)
Transition
Section 813 (16 U.S.C. 6812) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(g)
Transition
The Secretaries may continue to collect recreational fees in existence on the date of the enactment
of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Modernization Act of 2014 for up to 18 months after the date of the enactment of such Act during which time the Secretaries
shall bring their relevant recreation fee structures into compliance with
the amendments made by such Act.
.
(c)
Technical corrections
Section 813 (16 U.S.C. 6812) is further amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking section 5(a)(3) and inserting section 6804(a)(3);
(2) in subsection (d), by striking section 5(a)(3) and inserting section 6804(a)(3);
(3) in subsection (e)—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) by striking this Act both places it appears and inserting this title; and
(ii) by striking section 7 and inserting section 6806;
(B) in paragraph (2)—
(i) by striking this Act and inserting this title; and
(ii) by striking section 5(a)(3) and inserting section 6804(a)(3);
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking this Act both places it appears and inserting this title; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking this Act both places it appears and inserting this title; and
(4) in subsection (f), by striking this Act both places it appears and inserting this title.
14.
Relationship to other laws
(a)
In general
Section 814 (16 U.S.C. 6813) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(g)
Pass acceptance by concessionaires
A concession contract or permit for recreation services that is otherwise within the scope of an
exemption from chapter 67 of title 41, United States Code, shall not be
outside the scope of that exemption because the concessionaire or
recreation service provider accepts a recreation pass or provides a
discount under section 803 of this title.
.
(b)
Technical corrections
Section 814 (16 U.S.C. 6813) is further amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking this Act and inserting this title;
(2) in subsection (b)—
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(i) by striking this Act and inserting this title; and
(ii) by striking section 6(a) and inserting section 6805(a); and
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking August 8, 1937 and inserting August 28, 1937; and
(3) in subsections (c) through (f), by striking this Act each place it appears and inserting this title.
December 22, 2014
Reported from the Committee on Natural ResourcesDecember 22, 2014 The Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to
be printed