[House Report 114-576]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
114th Congress } { Rept. 114-576
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { Part 1
======================================================================
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CENTENNIAL ACT
_______
May 19, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Bishop of Utah, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 4680]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 4680) to prepare the National Park Service for
its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of promoting
and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural resources of
our National Parks for the enjoyment of present and future
generations, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend
that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National Park
Service Centennial Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE FUND
Sec. 101. National Park Centennial Challenge Fund.
Sec. 102. Comparable pass cost for seniors.
Sec. 103. Signature projects and programs.
Sec. 104. Donations.
Sec. 105. Summary to Congress.
TITLE II--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Second century endowment for the National Park Service.
TITLE III--NATIONAL PARK NEXT GENERATION STEWARDS
Sec. 301. National Park Service interpretation and education.
Sec. 302. Public Land Corps amendments.
Sec. 303. Volunteers in the parks.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION AUTHORITIES
Sec. 401. Board of directors.
Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 501. National Historic Preservation Act.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act to establish a fund in the Treasury to
finance signature projects and programs to enhance the National Park
System as it approaches its centennial in 2016 and to prepare the parks
for another century of conservation, preservation, and enjoyment.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Challenge fund.--The term ``Challenge Fund'' means the
National Park Centennial Challenge Fund established in title I.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Park Service.
(3) Endowment.--The term ``Endowment'' means the Second
Century Endowment for the National Park Service established by
title II.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(5) Signature project or program.--The term ``signature
project or program'' means any project or program identified by
the Secretary as one that will help prepare the national parks
for another century of conservation, preservation, and
enjoyment.
(6) Qualified donation.--The term ``qualified donation''
means a cash donation, or the binding pledge of a cash donation
that is guaranteed by an irrevocable letter of credit, to the
National Park Service that the Director certifies shall be used
for a signature project or program.
TITLE I--NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE FUND
SEC. 101. NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE FUND.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the Treasury a
fund to be known as the ``National Park Centennial Challenge Fund''.
The Challenge Fund shall consist of--
(1) qualified donations that are transferred from the
National Park Service donation account in accordance with
section 104(a); and
(2) hereafter, an amount equal to the qualified donations
received under section 104(a), not to exceed amounts
accumulated under section 102, including any carryover from
previous fiscal years.
(b) Availability.--All amounts transferred or appropriated to the
Challenge Fund shall be available to the Secretary for signature
projects and programs, without further appropriation, until expended.
SEC. 102. COMPARABLE PASS COST FOR SENIORS.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801, Public
Law 108-447, division J, title VIII) is amended in section 805(b)(1)--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(A) The
Secretary'';
(2) by striking ``, at a cost of $10.00,'';
(3) by striking ``shall be valid for the lifetime of the pass
holder.'' and inserting the following: ``shall be available--
``(i) for a period of 12 months from the date of the
issuance, at a cost of $20; and
``(ii) for the lifetime of the passholder, at a cost
equal to the cost of the National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass purchased under subsection
(a).''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Amounts in excess of $10 that are charged by the
National Park Service for a pass under subparagraph (A)(i)
shall be deposited in the National Park Centennial Challenge
Fund established under section 101(a) of the National Park
Service Centennial Act.''.
SEC. 103. SIGNATURE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS.
(a) List.--The Secretary shall--
(1) develop a list of signature projects and programs
eligible for funding from the Challenge Fund; and
(2) submit the list developed under paragraph (1) (and
updated under subsection (b)) to the Committees on
Appropriations and Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate.
(b) Updates.--The Secretary may, from time to time as the Secretary
finds appropriate, add any signature project or program to the list and
provide notice of such addition as required by subsection (a).
SEC. 104. DONATIONS.
(a) Qualified Donations.--The Secretary may transfer to the Challenge
Fund any qualified donation received by the National Park Service.
(b) Solicitation.--Nothing in this title shall be construed to expand
the authority of the National Park Service and its employees to receive
or solicit donations.
SEC. 105. SUMMARY TO CONGRESS.
The Secretary shall provide with the submission of the President's
budget a summary of the status and funding of the signature projects
and programs.
TITLE II--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Park Foundation Endowment
Act''.
SEC. 202. SECOND CENTURY ENDOWMENT FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
(a) Second Century Endowment.--Chapter 1011 of title 54, United
States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the following:
``Sec. 101121. Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service
``(a) Second Century Endowment.--To further the mission of the
Service, the National Park Foundation shall establish a special account
to be known as the `Second Century Endowment for the National Park
Service'.
``(1) Funds for the endowment.--
``(A) The Endowment shall consist of any gifts,
devises, or bequests that are provided to the National
Park Foundation for such purpose.
``(B) The National Park Foundation shall deposit any
funds received for the Endowment in a federally insured
interest-bearing account or may invest funds in
appropriate security obligations, as directed by the
Board of Directors.
``(C)(i) The Secretary shall, either directly or
through a concessions contract, lease, or similar
instrument, impose a fee in a System unit in addition
to the daily cost of lodging in facilities in that
System unit. Amounts collected under this clause shall
be deposited into the Endowment.
``(ii) The Secretary shall ensure that a fee imposed
under this subparagraph in a System unit does not raise
the aggregate amount of fees imposed by local, State,
and Federal governments to more than 5 percent of the
base daily cost of lodging in facilities in that System
unit.
``(iii) No fees may be charged under this
subparagraph within a unit of the National Park System
for--
``(I) employees of the National Park System,
including seasonal employees or employees of
concessioners, who live in housing provided in
a national park due to their employment and
house guests of such employees;
``(II) persons engaged in residential
educational and interpretive programs who are
lodged in national park facilities while
participating in these programs; and
``(III) lodging on private property within a
unit of the National Park System.
``(D) Any accrued interest or dividends earned on
funds received for the Endowment shall be added to the
principal and form a part of the Endowment.
``(2) Use of funds.--
``(A) The National Park Foundation shall use funds
deposited in the Endowment for projects and activities
approved by the Secretary that further the mission and
purposes of the Service.
``(B) In administering the Endowment each fiscal
year, the National Park Foundation shall be guided by
the District of Columbia Uniform Prudent Management of
Institutional Funds Act of 2007 (D.C. Code Sec. 44-
1631 et seq.), including section 44-1633 on
expenditures.
``(C) No funds received for the Endowment shall be
used by the National Park Foundation for administrative
expenses of the Foundation, including for salaries,
travel and transportation expenses, and other overhead
expenses.
``(b) Summary.--Beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this section, the National Park Foundation shall include with its
annual report a summary of the status of the Endowment. The summary
shall include--
``(1) a statement of the amounts deposited in the Endowment
during the fiscal year;
``(2) the amount of the balance remaining in the Endowment at
the end of the fiscal year; and
``(3) a description of the sums and purposes of the
expenditures made from the Endowment for the fiscal year.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1011 of
title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the
following:
``101121. Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service.''.
TITLE III--NATIONAL PARK NEXT GENERATION STEWARDS
SEC. 301. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--Title 54, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after chapter 1007 the following:
``CHAPTER 1008--EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION
``Sec.
``100801. Purposes.
``100802. Definitions.
``100803. Interpretation and education authority.
``100804. Interpretation and education evaluation and quality
improvement.
``100805. Improved use of partners and volunteers in interpretation and
education.
``Sec. 100801. Purposes
``The purposes of this chapter are--
``(1) to more effectively achieve the mission of the Service
by providing clear authority and direction for interpretation
and education programs that are carried out by the Service
under separate authorities;
``(2) to ensure that the public encounters a variety of
interpretive and educational opportunities and services during
their visits to our System units;
``(3) to recognize that the Service provides lifelong
learning opportunities and contributes to interdisciplinary
learning in traditional and non-traditional educational
settings; and
``(4) to provide opportunities for all people to find
relevance in the System and to strengthen public understanding
of our natural and cultural heritage.
``Sec. 100802. Definitions
``As used in this chapter:
``(1) Interpretation.--The term `interpretation'--
``(A) means providing opportunities for people to
form intellectual and emotional connections to gain
awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the
resources of the System; and
``(B) may refer to the professional career field of
Service employees, volunteers, and partners who
interpret the resources of the System.
``(2) Education.--The term `education' means enhancing public
awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the resources of
the System through learner-centered, place-based materials,
programs, and activities that achieve specific learning
objectives as identified in a curriculum.
``(3) Related areas.--The term `related areas' means--
``(A) national wild and scenic rivers and national
trails;
``(B) national heritage areas; and
``(C) affiliated areas administered in connection
with the System.
``Sec. 100803. Interpretation and education authority
``The Secretary shall ensure that management of System units and
related areas is enhanced by the availability and use of a broad
program of the highest quality interpretation and education.
``Sec. 100804. Interpretation and education evaluation and quality
improvement
``The Secretary may undertake a program of regular evaluation of
interpretation and education programs to ensure that they--
``(1) adjust to how people learn and engage with the natural
world and shared heritage as embodied in the System;
``(2) reflect different cultural backgrounds, ages,
education, gender, abilities, ethnicity, and needs;
``(3) demonstrate innovative approaches to management and
appropriately incorporate emerging learning and communications
technology; and
``(4) reflect current scientific and academic research,
content, methods, and audience analysis.
``Sec. 100805. Improved use of partners and volunteers in
interpretation and education
``The Secretary may--
``(1) coordinate with park partners and volunteers in the
delivery of quality programs and services to supplement those
provided by the Service as part of a park's Long Range
Interpretive Plan;
``(2) support interpretive partners by providing
opportunities to participate in interpretive training; and
``(3) collaborate with other Federal and non-Federal public
or private agencies, organizations, or institutions for the
purposes of developing, promoting, and making available
educational opportunities related to resources of the System
and programs.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters at the beginning of
title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to chapter 1007 the following new item:
``1008. Education and Interpretation........................ 100801''.
SEC. 302. PUBLIC LAND CORPS AMENDMENTS.
The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-82; 16 U.S.C.
1721) is amended--
(1) in section 203(10)(A), by striking ``25'' and inserting
``30'';
(2) in section 204(b), by striking ``25'' and inserting
``30''; and
(3) in section 207(c)(2), by striking ``120 days'' and
inserting ``2 years''.
SEC. 303. VOLUNTEERS IN THE PARKS.
Section 102301(d) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``not more than $7,000,000'' and inserting ``not more than
$10,000,000''.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION AUTHORITIES
SEC. 401. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Chapter 1011 of title 54, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 101112--
(A) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Membership.--The National Park Foundation shall consist of a
Board having as members no fewer than 6 private citizens of the United
States appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary and the Director shall
be non-voting members of the Board, ex officio.''; and
(B) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
``(c) Chairman.--The Chairman shall be elected by the Board from its
members for a two-year term.''; and
(2) in section 101113(a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Coordination with service.--Activities of the National
Park Foundation under paragraph (1) shall be undertaken after
consultation with the Director to ensure that those activities
are consistent with the programs and policies of the
Service.''.
SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Chapter 1011 of title 54,
United States Code, is further amended by adding after section 101121
the following:
``Sec. 101122. Authorization of appropriations
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this subchapter $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through
2023.
``(b) Requirement of Advance Payment.--The amount made available for
a fiscal year under subsection (a) shall be provided to the National
Park Foundation in an advance payment of the entire amount on October 1
of the fiscal year, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
``(c) Use of Appropriated Funds.--Amounts made available under
subsection (a) shall be provided to the National Park Foundation for
use for matching, on a 1-to-1 basis, contributions (whether in
currency, services, or property) made to the Foundation.
``(d) Prohibition Use for Administrative Expenses.--No Federal funds
made available under subsection (a) shall be used by the National Park
Foundation for administrative expenses of the Foundation, including for
salaries, travel and transportation expenses, and other overhead
expenses.
``(e) Prohibition Use for Investment.--The National Park Foundation
shall not place Federal funds made available under subsection (a) into
any fund that will be invested or earn interest in any way.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1011 of
title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the
following:
``101122. Authorization of appropriations.''.
TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 501. NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT.
(a) Additional Member.--Section 304101(a) of title 54, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), (10), and (11) as
paragraphs (9), (10), (11), and (12), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) The General Chairman of the National Association of
Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.''.
(b) Full-Time Chairman.--Section 304101 of title 54, United States
Code, is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Chairman.--(1) After January 20, 2017, the Chairman shall--
``(A) be appointed by the President;
``(B) serve at the will of the President;
``(C) serve full time; and
``(D) be compensated at the rate provided for Level V of the
Executive Schedule Pay Rates (5 U.S.C. 5316).
``(2) The Chairman shall serve for a term of 4 years and may be
reappointed once, for a total of not more than 8 years of service as
Chairman, except that a Chairman whose appointment has expired under
this paragraph shall serve until his or her successor has been
appointed. The term of a Chairman shall start (regardless of actual
appointment date) on January 20 after each general Presidential
election. The first Chairman appointed after the date of enactment of
this paragraph shall have a first term commencing on January 20, 2017,
and ending on January 19, 2021.
``(3) The Chairmen before the first appointment of a Chairman in
accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive $100 per
diem when engaged in the performance of the duties of the Council, and
shall receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and subsistence
expenses incurred by them in the performance of the duties of the
Council.''; and
(3) in subsection (f) (as redesignated), by striking ``may
act in place'' and inserting ``shall perform the functions''.
(c) Conforming Changes.--
(1) Section 304101 of title 54, United States Code, is
further amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``, (7), and (8)''
and inserting ``and (7) through (9)'';
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) by striking ``under paragraphs (1) and
(9) to (11)'' and inserting ``under paragraphs
(10) through (12)''; and
(ii) by striking ``An appointed member may
not serve more than 2 terms'' and inserting
``An appointed member, other than the Chairman
of the Council, may not serve more than 2
terms'';
(C) in subsection (f) (as redesignated), by striking
``paragraph (5), (6), (9), or (10)'' and inserting
``paragraph (5), (6), (10), or (11)''; and
(D) in subsection (g) (as redesignated), by striking
``Twelve members'' and inserting ``Thirteen members''.
(2) Section 304104 of title 54, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after the first sentence the following:
``The Chairman of the Council shall be compensated as provided
in subsection (e) of section 304101.''.
(3) Section 304105(a) of title 54, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``report directly to the Council''
and inserting ``report directly to the Chairman''; and
(B) by striking ``duties as the Council may
prescribe'' and inserting ``duties as the Chairman may
prescribe''.
(4) Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new item: ``Chairman of the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.''.
(d) Clarification.--Subsection (b) and subsection (d) of section
311103 of title 54, United States Code, are amended by striking
``Council'' each place it appears and inserting ``Chairman of the
Council''.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 4680 is to prepare the National Park
Service for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of
promoting and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural
resources of our National Parks for the enjoyment of present
and future generations.
Background and Need for Legislation
August 25, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the signing
of the National Park Service Organic Act. This Act created the
National Park Service (NPS), a new federal bureau within the
Department of the Interior responsible for promoting and
protecting 35 national parks and monuments. The National Park
System has grown significantly since 1916 and now comprises
more than 400 units covering over 84 million acres in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,
Guam, Saipan, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In preparing the parks for the next century of public use
and enjoyment, NPS faces a number of challenges, chief among
them being the $11.9 billion deferred maintenance backlog. As
NPS gradually took on new responsibilities and Congress voted
to add new units, NPS fell behind on necessary projects. These
projects include maintaining trails, fixing wastewater systems,
and repairing deteriorating roads and bridges. In addition to
deferred maintenance, NPS also faces challenges with fee
collection, technological upgrades, and management of
concessions contracts for visitor services.
H.R. 4680, the National Park Service Centennial Act,
celebrates the NPS centennial by providing NPS with additional
tools and authorities it can use to enhance visitor experience
and better promote and protect the parks. One important tool
created by H.R. 4680 is a Centennial Challenge Fund, which NPS
can use to leverage philanthropic investments for signature
projects through a 1:1 federal to private dollar match. In 2015
and 2016, NPS selected more than 150 projects to leverage $25
million in Congressional appropriations with more than $45
million matching funds from partner organizations across the
country. Additionally, H.R. 4680 creates a Second Century
Endowment at the National Park Foundation which will grow over
time from gifts, devises, bequests, and other funding provided
to the Foundation. Other provisions will allow NPS to expand
its Volunteers in Parks and Public Lands Corps programs.
The Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative
hearing on a discussion draft of the ``National Park Service
Centennial Act'' on December 2, 2015.
Committee Action
H.R. 4680 was introduced on March 3, 2016, by Congressman
Rob Bishop (R-UT). The bill was referred to the Committee on
Natural Resources, and within the Committee, to the
Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The bill was additionally
referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on
Education and the Workforce. On March 15, 2016, the Natural
Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee
was discharged by unanimous consent. Congressman Bishop offered
an amendment designated #1; it was adopted by voice vote.
Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) offered and withdrew
amendments designated 001 and 009. Congressman Jared Huffman
(D-CA) offered and withdrew amendments designated 004 and 145.
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA) offered and withdrew an
amendment designated 034. Congressman Huffman offered an
amendment designated 143; it was not adopted by a roll call
vote of 13 yeas to 15 nays, as follows:
Congressman Grijalva offered an amendment designated 010;
it was not adopted by a bipartisan roll call vote of 14 yeas to
23 nays, as follows:
Congressman Alan S. Lowenthal (D-CA) offered an amendment
designated 008; it was not adopted by a roll call vote of 15
yeas to 22 nays, as follows:
No other amendments were offered, and the bill, as amended,
was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives
by voice vote on March 16, 2016.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(2)(B)
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Under clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the following cost estimate for this bill from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 17, 2016.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4680, the National
Park Service Centennial Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Marin
Burnett.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall.
Enclosure.
H.R. 4680--National Park Service Centennial Act
Summary: H.R. 4680 would authorize appropriations for
certain programs of the National Park Service (NPS) and the
National Park Foundation (NPF). In addition the bill would
increase the amount NPS collects (and is authorized to spend)
from the sale of passes to enter national parks and from fees
on lodging in national parks.
CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $140
million over the 2017-2021 period and an additional $65 million
after 2021, assuming appropriation of the specified amounts.
CBO estimates that enacting the legislation would increase
both offsetting receipts from the sale of NPS passes and
lodging fees and direct spending of the proceeds. In addition,
the bill would establish the Centennial Challenge Fund to
accept donations to the NPS. The NPS could spend any donated
amounts without further appropriations. CBO estimates that
enacting the legislation would result in a small net increase
in receipts of about $2 million over the 2017-2026 period,
because spending of the proceeds would lag behind collections
over the next 10 years. Because H.R. 4680 would affect direct
spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the
legislation would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4680 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
H.R. 4680 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 4680 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017-2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION\a\
Authorization Level 28 28 28 28 28 140
Estimated Outlays 28 28 28 28 28 140
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\In addition, CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4680 would reduce direct spending by $2 million over the 2017-
2026 period.
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
4680 will be enacted near the end of 2016, and that the
specified amounts will be appropriated each year. Estimated
outlays are based on historical spending patterns.
Changes in spending subject to appropriation
The legislation would increase the annual amount authorized
to be appropriated for the Volunteers in Parks program by $3
million, from $7 million to $10 million. It also would
authorize an annual appropriation of $25 million for the
National Park Foundation for fiscal years 2017 through 2023.
CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost of $140
million over the 2017-2021 period, and an additional $65
million after 2021, assuming appropriation of the specified
amounts.
Changes in direct spending
H.R. 4680 would establish the Centennial Challenge Fund and
allow NPS to collect and spend any donations to that fund to
preserve or enhance the national parks. Additionally, the bill
would authorize the NPS to collect new fees for lodging
facilities in the national parks and would increase the fees
for certain NPS entrance passes. Those additional receipts can
be spent without further appropriation. CBO estimates that
enacting the legislation would result in a small net increase
in receipts of about $2 million over the 2017-2026 period,
because spending would lag behind collections over the next 10
years.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or
revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those
pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in the following table.
CBO ESTIMATE OF PAY-AS-YOU-GO EFFECTS FOR H.R. 4680, AS ORDERED REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES ON MARCH 16, 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2016-2021 2016-2026
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET DECREASE (-) IN THE DEFICIT
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Impact............. 0 -2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -2 -2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 4680
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state,
local, or tribal governments.
Increase in long term direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 4680 would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2027.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Marin Burnett; Impact
on state, local, and tribal governments: Jon Sperl; Impact on
the private sector: Logan Smith.
Estimated approved by: H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
2. Section 308(a) of Congressional Budget Act. As required
by clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, this bill does not contain any new budget
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures. The Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) estimates that implementing the bill would cost $140
million over 2017-2021 and $65 million after 2021, subject to
appropriation of those amounts. In addition, the bill would
affect direct spending by increasing offsetting receipts and
the direct spending of those receipts. This ``would result in a
small net increase of receipts of about $2 million over the
2017-2026 period''.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to prepare the National Park Service
for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of
promoting and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural
resources for our National Parks for the enjoyment of present
and future generations.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Compliance With Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Compliance With H. Res. 5
Directed Rule Making. The Chairman does not believe that
this bill directs any executive branch official to conduct any
specific rule-making proceedings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT
* * * * * * *
DIVISION J--OTHER MATTERS
* * * * * * *
TITLE VIII--FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 805. RECREATION PASSES.
(a) America the Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass.--
(1) Availability and use.--The Secretaries shall
establish, and may charge a fee for, an interagency
national pass to be known as the ``America the
Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass'', which shall cover the entrance fee and
standard amenity recreation fee for all Federal
recreational lands and waters for which an entrance fee
or a standard amenity recreation fee is charged.
(2) Image competition for recreation pass.--The
Secretaries shall hold an annual competition to select
the image to be used on the National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass for a year. The competition
shall be open to the public and used as a means to
educate the American people about Federal recreational
lands and waters.
(3) Notice of establishment.--The Secretaries shall
publish a notice in the Federal Register when the
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is
first established and available for purchase.
(4) Duration.--The National Parks and Federal
Recreational Lands Pass shall be valid for a period of
12 months from the date of the issuance of the
recreation pass to a passholder, except in the case of
the age and disability discounted passes issued under
subsection (b).
(5) Price.--The Secretaries shall establish the price
at which the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass will be sold to the public.
(6) Sales locations and marketing.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall sell the
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands
Pass at all Federal recreational lands and
waters at which an entrance fee or a standard
amenity recreation fee is charged and at such
other locations as the Secretaries consider
appropriate and feasible.
(B) Use of vendors.--The Secretary may enter
into fee management agreements as provided in
section 6.
(C) Marketing.--The Secretaries shall take
such actions as are appropriate to provide for
the active marketing of the National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
(7) Administrative guidelines.--The Secretaries shall
issue guidelines on administration of the National
Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which shall
include agreement on price, the distribution of
revenues between the Federal land management agencies,
the sharing of costs, benefits provided, marketing and
design, adequate documentation for age and disability
discounts under subsection (b), and the issuance of
that recreation pass to volunteers. The Secretaries
shall take into consideration all relevant visitor and
sales data available in establishing the guidelines.
(8) Development and implementation agreements.--The
Secretaries may enter into cooperative agreements with
governmental and nongovernmental entities for the
development and implementation of the National Parks
and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program.
(9) Prohibition on other national recreation
passes.--The Secretary may not establish any national
recreation pass, except as provided in this section.
(b) Discounted Passes.--
(1) Age discount.--[The Secretary] (A) The Secretary
shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational
Lands Pass available[, at a cost of $10.00,] to any
United States citizen or person domiciled in the United
States who is 62 years of age or older, if the citizen
or person provides adequate proof of such age and such
citizenship or residency. The National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under
this subsection [shall be valid for the lifetime of the
pass holder.] shall be available--
(i) for a period of 12 months from the date
of the issuance, at a cost of $20; and
(ii) for the lifetime of the passholder, at a
cost equal to the cost of the National Parks
and Federal Recreational Lands Pass purchased
under subsection (a).
(B) Amounts in excess of $10 that are charged by the
National Park Service for a pass under subparagraph
(A)(i) shall be deposited in the National Park
Centennial Challenge Fund established under section
101(a) of the National Park Service Centennial Act.
(2) Disability discount.--The Secretary shall make
the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
available, without charge, to any United States citizen
or person domiciled in the United States who has been
medically determined to be permanently disabled for
purposes of section 7(20)(B)(i) of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705(20)(B)(i)), if the citizen
or person provides adequate proof of the disability and
such citizenship or residency. The National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under
this subsection shall be valid for the lifetime of the
passholder.
(c) Site-Specific Agency Passes.--The Secretary may establish
and charge a fee for a site-specific pass that will cover the
entrance fee or standard amenity recreation fee for particular
Federal recreational lands and waters for a specified period
not to exceed 12 months.
(d) Regional Multientity Passes.--
(1) Passes authorized.--The Secretary may establish
and charge a fee for a regional multientity pass that
will be accepted by one or more Federal land management
agencies or by one or more governmental or
nongovernmental entities for a specified period not to
exceed 12 months. To include a Federal land management
agency or governmental or nongovernmental entity over
which the Secretary does not have jurisdiction, the
Secretary shall obtain the consent of the head of such
agency or entity.
(2) Regional multientity pass agreement.--In order to
establish a regional multientity pass under this
subsection, the Secretary shall enter into a regional
multientity pass agreement with all the participating
agencies or entities on price, the distribution of
revenues between participating agencies or entities,
the sharing of costs, benefits provided, marketing and
design, and the issuance of the pass to volunteers. The
Secretary shall take into consideration all relevant
visitor and sales data available when entering into
this agreement.
(e) Discounted or Free Admission Days or Use.--The Secretary
may provide for a discounted or free admission day or use of
Federal recreational lands and waters.
(f) Effect on Existing Passports and Permits.--
(1) Existing passports.--A passport issued under
section 4 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
of 1965 or title VI of the National Parks Omnibus
Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-391), such as
the Golden Eagle Passport, the Golden Age Passport, the
Golden Access Passport, and the National Parks
Passport, that was valid on the day before the
publication of the Federal Register notice required
under subsection (a)(3) shall be valid in accordance
with the terms agreed to at the time of issuance of the
passport, to the extent practicable, and remain in
effect until expired, lost, or stolen.
(2) Permits.--A permit issued under section 4 of the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 that was
valid on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act shall be valid and remain in effect until
expired, revoked, or suspended.
* * * * * * *
----------
TITLE 54, UNITED STATES CODE
Subtitle I--National Park System
DIVISION A--ESTABLISHMENT AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Chap. Sec.
General Provisions..........................................100101
* * * * * * *
Education and Interpretation................................100801
* * * * * * *
SUBTITLE I--NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
DIVISION A--ESTABLISHMENT AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 1008--EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION
Sec.
100801. Purposes.
100802. Definitions.
100803. Interpretation and education authority.
100804. Interpretation and education evaluation and quality improvement.
100805. Improved use of partners and volunteers in interpretation and
education.
Sec. 100801. Purposes
The purposes of this chapter are--
(1) to more effectively achieve the mission of the
Service by providing clear authority and direction for
interpretation and education programs that are carried
out by the Service under separate authorities;
(2) to ensure that the public encounters a variety of
interpretive and educational opportunities and services
during their visits to our System units;
(3) to recognize that the Service provides lifelong
learning opportunities and contributes to
interdisciplinary learning in traditional and non-
traditional educational settings; and
(4) to provide opportunities for all people to find
relevance in the System and to strengthen public
understanding of our natural and cultural heritage.
Sec. 100802. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) Interpretation.--The term ``interpretation''--
(A) means providing opportunities for people
to form intellectual and emotional connections
to gain awareness, appreciation, and
understanding of the resources of the System;
and
(B) may refer to the professional career
field of Service employees, volunteers, and
partners who interpret the resources of the
System.
(2) Education.--The term ``education'' means
enhancing public awareness, understanding, and
appreciation of the resources of the System through
learner-centered, place-based materials, programs, and
activities that achieve specific learning objectives as
identified in a curriculum.
(3) Related areas.--The term ``related areas''
means--
(A) national wild and scenic rivers and
national trails;
(B) national heritage areas; and
(C) affiliated areas administered in
connection with the System.
Sec. 100803. Interpretation and education authority
The Secretary shall ensure that management of System units
and related areas is enhanced by the availability and use of a
broad program of the highest quality interpretation and
education.
Sec. 100804. Interpretation and education evaluation and quality
improvement
The Secretary may undertake a program of regular evaluation
of interpretation and education programs to ensure that they--
(1) adjust to how people learn and engage with the
natural world and shared heritage as embodied in the
System;
(2) reflect different cultural backgrounds, ages,
education, gender, abilities, ethnicity, and needs;
(3) demonstrate innovative approaches to management
and appropriately incorporate emerging learning and
communications technology; and
(4) reflect current scientific and academic research,
content, methods, and audience analysis.
Sec. 100805. Improved use of partners and volunteers in interpretation
and education
The Secretary may--
(1) coordinate with park partners and volunteers in
the delivery of quality programs and services to
supplement those provided by the Service as part of a
park's Long Range Interpretive Plan;
(2) support interpretive partners by providing
opportunities to participate in interpretive training;
and
(3) collaborate with other Federal and non-Federal
public or private agencies, organizations, or
institutions for the purposes of developing, promoting,
and making available educational opportunities related
to resources of the System and programs.
CHAPTER 1011--DONATIONS
SUBCHAPTER I--AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY
Sec.
101101. Authority to accept land, rights-of-way, buildings, other
property, and money.
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
* * * * * * *
101121. Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service.
101122. Authorization of appropriations.
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
* * * * * * *
Sec. 101112. Board
[(a) Membership.--The National Park Foundation shall consist
of a Board having as members the Secretary, the Director, and
no fewer than 6 private citizens of the United States appointed
by the Secretary.]
(a) Membership.--The National Park Foundation shall consist
of a Board having as members no fewer than 6 private citizens
of the United States appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary
and the Director shall be non-voting members of the Board, ex
officio.
(b) Term of Office and Vacancies.--The term of the private
citizen members of the Board is 6 years. If a successor is
chosen to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a
term, the successor shall be chosen only for the remainder of
that term.
[(c) Chairman and Secretary.--The Secretary shall be the
Chairman of the Board and the Director shall be the Secretary
of the Board.]
(c) Chairman.--The Chairman shall be elected by the Board
from its members for a two-year term.
(d) Board Membership Not an Office.--Membership on the Board
shall not be an office within the meaning of the statutes of
the United States.
(e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board serving
at any time shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business.
(f) Seal.--The National Park Foundation shall have an
official seal, which shall be judicially noticed.
(g) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the
Chairman and there shall be at least one meeting each year.
(h) Compensation and Reimbursement.--No compensation shall be
paid to the members of the Board for their services as members,
but they shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary traveling
and subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of
their duties as members out of National Park Foundation funds
available to the Board for those purposes.
Sec. 101113. Gifts, devises, or bequests
(a) Authority To Accept Gifts, Devises, or Bequests.--
(1) In general.--The National Park Foundation may
accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use any
gifts, devises, or bequests, either absolutely or in
trust of real or personal property, or any income from,
or other interest in, the gift, devise, or bequest, for
the benefit of, or in connection with, the Service, its
activities, or its services.
(2) Coordination with service.--Activities of the
National Park Foundation under paragraph (1) shall be
undertaken after consultation with the Director to
ensure that those activities are consistent with the
programs and policies of the Service.
[(2)] (3) Gift, devise, or bequest that is
encumbered, restricted, or subject to beneficial
interests.--A gift, devise, or bequest may be accepted
by the National Park Foundation even though it is
encumbered, restricted, or subject to beneficial
interests of private persons if any current or future
interest in the gift, devise, or bequest is for the
benefit of the Service, its activities, or its
services.
(b) When Gift, Devise, or Bequest May Not Be Accepted.--The
National Park Foundation may not accept any gift, devise, or
bequest that entails any expenditure other than from the
resources of the Foundation.
(c) Interest in Real Property.--For purposes of this section,
an interest in real property includes easements or other rights
for preservation, conservation, protection, or enhancement by
and for the public of natural, scenic, historic, scientific,
educational, inspirational, or recreational resources.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 101121. Second Century Endowment for the National Park Service
(a) Second Century Endowment.--To further the mission of the
Service, the National Park Foundation shall establish a special
account to be known as the ``Second Century Endowment for the
National Park Service''.
(1) Funds for the endowment.--
(A) The Endowment shall consist of any gifts,
devises, or bequests that are provided to the
National Park Foundation for such purpose.
(B) The National Park Foundation shall
deposit any funds received for the Endowment in
a federally insured interest-bearing account or
may invest funds in appropriate security
obligations, as directed by the Board of
Directors.
(C)(i) The Secretary shall, either directly
or through a concessions contract, lease, or
similar instrument, impose a fee in a System
unit in addition to the daily cost of lodging
in facilities in that System unit. Amounts
collected under this clause shall be deposited
into the Endowment.
(ii) The Secretary shall ensure that a fee
imposed under this subparagraph in a System
unit does not raise the aggregate amount of
fees imposed by local, State, and Federal
governments to more than 5 percent of the base
daily cost of lodging in facilities in that
System unit.
(iii) No fees may be charged under this
subparagraph within a unit of the National Park
System for--
(I) employees of the National Park
System, including seasonal employees or
employees of concessioners, who live in
housing provided in a national park due
to their employment and house guests of
such employees;
(II) persons engaged in residential
educational and interpretive programs
who are lodged in national park
facilities while participating in these
programs; and
(III) lodging on private property
within a unit of the National Park
System.
(D) Any accrued interest or dividends earned
on funds received for the Endowment shall be
added to the principal and form a part of the
Endowment.
(2) Use of funds.--
(A) The National Park Foundation shall use
funds deposited in the Endowment for projects
and activities approved by the Secretary that
further the mission and purposes of the
Service.
(B) In administering the Endowment each
fiscal year, the National Park Foundation shall
be guided by the District of Columbia Uniform
Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act
of 2007 (D.C. Code Sec. 44-1631 et seq.),
including section 44-1633 on expenditures.
(C) No funds received for the Endowment shall
be used by the National Park Foundation for
administrative expenses of the Foundation,
including for salaries, travel and
transportation expenses, and other overhead
expenses.
(b) Summary.--Beginning 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this section, the National Park Foundation shall
include with its annual report a summary of the status of the
Endowment. The summary shall include--
(1) a statement of the amounts deposited in the
Endowment during the fiscal year;
(2) the amount of the balance remaining in the
Endowment at the end of the fiscal year; and
(3) a description of the sums and purposes of the
expenditures made from the Endowment for the fiscal
year.
Sec. 101122. Authorization of appropriations
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this subchapter $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2017 through 2023.
(b) Requirement of Advance Payment.--The amount made
available for a fiscal year under subsection (a) shall be
provided to the National Park Foundation in an advance payment
of the entire amount on October 1 of the fiscal year, or as
soon as practicable thereafter.
(c) Use of Appropriated Funds.--Amounts made available under
subsection (a) shall be provided to the National Park
Foundation for use for matching, on a 1-to-1 basis,
contributions (whether in currency, services, or property) made
to the Foundation.
(d) Prohibition Use for Administrative Expenses.--No Federal
funds made available under subsection (a) shall be used by the
National Park Foundation for administrative expenses of the
Foundation, including for salaries, travel and transportation
expenses, and other overhead expenses.
(e) Prohibition Use for Investment.--The National Park
Foundation shall not place Federal funds made available under
subsection (a) into any fund that will be invested or earn
interest in any way.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 1023--PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 102301. Volunteers in parks program
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary may recruit, train, and
accept, without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of
chapter 53 of title 5 or regulations prescribed under that
chapter or subchapter, the services of individuals without
compensation as volunteers for or in aid of interpretive
functions or other visitor services or activities in and
related to System units and related areas. In accepting those
services, the Secretary shall not permit the use of volunteers
in hazardous duty or law enforcement work or in policymaking
processes, or to displace any employee. The services of
individuals whom the Secretary determines are skilled in
performing hazardous activities may be accepted.
(b) Incidental Expenses.--The Secretary may provide for
incidental expenses of volunteers, such as transportation,
uniforms, lodging, and subsistence.
(c) Federal Employee Status for Volunteers.--
(1) Employment status of volunteers.--Except as
otherwise provided in this section, a volunteer shall
not be deemed a Federal employee and shall not be
subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal
employment, including those relating to hours of work,
rates of compensation, leave, unemployment
compensation, and Federal employee benefits.
(2) Tort claims.--For the purpose of sections 1346(b)
and 2401(b) and chapter 171 of title 28, a volunteer
under this chapter shall be deemed a Federal employee.
(3) Volunteers deemed civil employees.--For the
purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5,
volunteers under this chapter shall be deemed civil
employees of the United States within the meaning of
the term ``employee'' as defined in section 8101 of
title 5, and subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5
shall apply.
(4) Compensation for losses and damages.--For the
purpose of claims relating to damage to, or loss of,
personal property of a volunteer incident to volunteer
service, a volunteer under this chapter shall be deemed
a Federal employee, and section 3721 of title 31 shall
apply.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section [not more than
$7,000,000] not more than $10,000,000 for each fiscal year.
* * * * * * *
SUBTITLE III--NATIONAL PRESERVATION PROGRAMS
* * * * * * *
DIVISION A--HISTORIC PRESERVATION
* * * * * * *
SUBDIVISION 3--ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION
CHAPTER 3041--ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Sec. 304101. Establishment; vacancies
(a) Establishment.--There is established as an independent
agency of the United States Government an Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation, which shall be composed of the following
members:
(1) A Chairman appointed by the President selected
from the general public.
(2) The Secretary.
(3) The Architect of the Capitol.
(4) The Secretary of Agriculture and the heads of 7
other agencies of the United States (other than the
Department of the Interior), the activities of which
affect historic preservation, designated by the
President.
(5) One Governor appointed by the President.
(6) One mayor appointed by the President.
(7) The President of the National Conference of State
Historic Preservation Officers.
(8) The General Chairman of the National Association
of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.
[(8)] (9) The Chairman of the National Trust.
[(9)] (10) Four experts in the field of historic
preservation appointed by the President from
architecture, history, archeology, and other
appropriate disciplines.
[(10)] (11) Three members from the general public,
appointed by the President.
[(11)] (12) One member of an Indian tribe or Native
Hawaiian organization who represents the interests of
the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization of
which he or she is a member, appointed by the
President.
(b) Designation of Substitutes.--Each member of the Council
specified in paragraphs (2) to (5)[, (7), and (8)] and (7)
through (9) of subsection (a) may designate another officer of
the department, agency, or organization to serve on the Council
instead of the member, except that, in the case of paragraphs
(2) and (4), no officer other than an Assistant Secretary or an
officer having major department-wide or agency-wide
responsibilities may be designated.
(c) Term of Office.--Each member of the Council appointed
[under paragraphs (1) and (9) to (11)] under paragraphs (10)
through (12) of subsection (a) shall serve for a term of 4
years from the expiration of the term of the member's
predecessor. The members appointed under paragraphs (5) and (6)
shall serve for the term of their elected office but not in
excess of 4 years. [An appointed member may not serve more than
2 terms] An appointed member, other than the Chairman of the
Council, may not serve more than 2 terms. An appointed member
whose term has expired shall serve until that member's
successor has been appointed.
(d) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Council shall not affect its
powers, but shall be filled, not later than 60 days after the
vacancy commences, in the same manner as the original
appointment (and for the balance of the unexpired term).
(e) Chairman--(1) After January 20, 2017, the Chairman
shall--
(A) be appointed by the President;
(B) serve at the will of the President;
(C) serve full time; and
(D) be compensated at the rate provided for Level V
of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates (5 U.S.C. 5316).
(2) The Chairman shall serve for a term of 4 years and may be
reappointed once, for a total of not more than 8 years of
service as Chairman, except that a Chairman whose appointment
has expired under this paragraph shall serve until his or her
successor has been appointed. The term of a Chairman shall
start (regardless of actual appointment date) on January 20
after each general Presidential election. The first Chairman
appointed after the date of enactment of this paragraph shall
have a first term commencing on January 20, 2017, and ending on
January 19, 2021.
(3) The Chairmen before the first appointment of a Chairman
in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall
receive $100 per diem when engaged in the performance of the
duties of the Council, and shall receive reimbursement for
necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them
in the performance of the duties of the Council.
[(e)] (f) Designation of Vice Chairman.--The President shall
designate a Vice Chairman from the members appointed under
[paragraph (5), (6), (9), or (10)] paragraph (5), (6), (10), or
(11) of subsection (a). The Vice Chairman [may act in place]
shall perform the functions of the Chairman during the absence
or disability of the Chairman or when the office is vacant.
[(f)] (g) Quorum.--[Twelve members] Thirteen members of the
Council shall constitute a quorum.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 304104. Compensation of members of Council
The members of the Council specified in paragraphs (2), (3),
and (4) of section 304101(a) of this title shall serve without
additional compensation. The Chairman of the Council shall be
compensated as provided in subsection (e) of section 304101.
The other members of the Council shall receive $100 per diem
when engaged in the performance of the duties of the Council.
All members of the Council shall receive reimbursement for
necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them
in the performance of the duties of the Council.
Sec. 304105. Administration
(a) Executive Director.--There shall be an Executive Director
of the Council who shall be appointed by the Chairman with the
concurrence of the Council in the competitive service at a rate
within the General Schedule, in the competitive service at a
rate that may exceed the rate prescribed for the highest rate
established for grade 15 of the General Schedule under section
5332 of title 5, or in the Senior Executive Service under
section 3393 of title 5. The Executive Director shall [report
directly to the Council] report directly to the Chairman and
perform such functions and [duties as the Council may
prescribe] duties as the Chairman may prescribe.
(b) General Counsel and Appointment of Other Attorneys.--
(1) General counsel.--The Council shall have a
General Counsel, who shall be appointed by the
Executive Director. The General Counsel shall report
directly to the Executive Director and serve as the
Council's legal advisor.
(2) Appointment of other attorneys.--The Executive
Director shall appoint other attorneys as may be
necessary to--
(A) assist the General Counsel;
(B) represent the Council in court when
appropriate, including enforcement of
agreements with Federal agencies to which the
Council is a party;
(C) assist the Department of Justice in
handling litigation concerning the Council in
court; and
(D) perform such other legal duties and
functions as the Executive Director and the
Council may direct.
(c) Appointment and Compensation of Officers and Employees.--
The Executive Director of the Council may appoint and fix the
compensation of officers and employees in the competitive
service who are necessary to perform the functions of the
Council at rates not to exceed that prescribed for the highest
rate for grade 15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of
title 5. The Executive Director, with the concurrence of the
Chairman, may appoint and fix the compensation of not to exceed
5 employees in the competitive service at rates that exceed
that prescribed for the highest rate established for grade 15
of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5 or in the
Senior Executive Service under section 3393 of title 5.
(d) Appointment and Compensation of Additional Personnel.--
The Executive Director may appoint and fix the compensation of
such additional personnel as may be necessary to carry out the
Council's duties, without regard to the civil service laws and
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5.
(e) Expert and Consultant Services.--The Executive Director
may procure expert and consultant services in accordance with
section 3109 of title 5.
(f) Financial and Administrative Services.--
(1) Services to be provided by secretary, agency, or
private entity.--Financial and administrative services
(including those related to budgeting, accounting,
financial reporting, personnel and procurement) shall
be provided the Council by the Secretary or, at the
discretion of the Council, another agency or private
entity that reaches an agreement with the Council, for
which payments shall be made in advance, or by
reimbursement, from funds of the Council in such
amounts as may be agreed on by the Chairman of the
Council and the head of the agency or the authorized
representative of the private entity that will provide
the services.
(2) Federal agency regulations relating to collection
apply.--When a Federal agency affords those services,
the regulations of that agency under section 5514(b) of
title 5 for the collection of indebtedness of personnel
resulting from erroneous payments shall apply to the
collection of erroneous payments made to or on behalf
of a Council employee, and regulations of that agency
under sections 1513(d) and 1514 of title 31 for the
administrative control of funds shall apply to
appropriations of the Council. The Council shall not be
required to prescribe those regulations.
(g) Funds, Personnel, Facilities, and Services.--
(1) Provided by federal agency.--Any Federal agency
may provide the Council, with or without reimbursement
as may be agreed on by the Chairman and the agency,
with such funds, personnel, facilities, and services
under its jurisdiction and control as may be needed by
the Council to carry out its duties, to the extent that
the funds, personnel, facilities, and services are
requested by the Council and are otherwise available
for that purpose. Any funds provided to the Council
pursuant to this subsection shall be obligated by the
end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in
which the funds are received by the Council.
(2) Obtaining additional property, facilities, and
services and receiving donations of money.--To the
extent of available appropriations, the Council may
obtain by purchase, rental, donation, or otherwise
additional property, facilities, and services as may be
needed to carry out its duties and may receive
donations of money for that purpose. The Executive
Director may accept, hold, use, expend, and administer
the property, facilities, services, and money for the
purposes of this division.
(h) Rights, Benefits, and Privileges of Transferred
Employees.--Any employee in the competitive service of the
United States transferred to the Council under section 207 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665)
retains all the rights, benefits, and privileges pertaining to
the competitive service held prior to the transfer.
(i) Exemption From Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The
Council is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.).
(j) Provisions That Govern Operations of Council.--Subchapter
II of chapter 5 and chapter 7 of title 5 shall govern the
operations of the Council.
* * * * * * *
DIVISION B--ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS
* * * * * * *
SUBDIVISION 2--ADMINISTERED JOINTLY WITH NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 3111--PRESERVE AMERICA PROGRAM
* * * * * * *
Sec. 311103. Designation of Preserve America Communities
(a) Application.--To be considered for designation as a
Preserve America Community, a community, tribal area, or
neighborhood shall submit to the Council an application
containing such information as the Council may require.
(b) Criteria.--To be designated as a Preserve America
Community under the program, a community, tribal area, or
neighborhood that submits an application under subsection (a)
shall, as determined by the [Council] Chairman of the Council,
in consultation with the Secretary, meet criteria required by
the [Council] Chairman of the Council and, in addition,
consider--
(1) protection and celebration of the heritage of the
community, tribal area, or neighborhood;
(2) use of the historic assets of the community,
tribal area, or neighborhood for economic development
and community revitalization; and
(3) encouragement of people to experience and
appreciate local historic resources through education
and heritage tourism programs.
(c) Local Governments Previously Certified for Historic
Preservation Activities.--The Council shall establish an
expedited process for Preserve America Community designation
for local governments previously certified for historic
preservation activities under section 302502 of this title.
(d) Guidelines.--The [Council] Chairman of the Council, in
consultation with the Secretary, shall establish any guidelines
that are necessary to carry out this section.
* * * * * * *
----------
PUBLIC LANDS CORPS ACT OF 1993
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--PUBLIC LANDS CORPS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) Appropriate conservation project.--The term
``appropriate conservation project'' means any project
for the conservation, restoration, construction or
rehabilitation of natural, cultural, historic,
archaeological, recreational, or scenic resources.
(2) Corps and public lands corps.--The terms
``Corps'' and ``Public Lands Corps'' mean the Public
Lands Corps established under section 204.
(3) Eligible service lands.--The term ``eligible
service lands''means public lands, Indian lands, and
Hawaiian home lands.
(4) Hawaiian home lands.--The term ``Hawaiian home
lands'' means all lands given the status of Hawaiian
home lands under section 204 of the Hawaiian Homes
Commission Act, 1920 (42 Stat. 1101, or under the
corresponding provisjon of the Constitution of the
State of Hawaii adopted under section 4 of the Act
entitled ``An Act to provide for the admission of the
State of Hawaii into the Union'', approved March 18,
1959 (Public Law 863; 73 Stat. 5).
(5) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' means a person who--
(A) is a member of an Indian tribe; or
(B) is a ``Native'', as defined in section
3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(43 U.S.C. 1602(b)).
(6) Indian lands.--The term ``Indian lands'' means--
(A) any Indian reservation;
(B) any public domain Indian allotments;
(C) any former Indian reservation in the
State of Oklahoma;
(D) any land held by incorporated Native
regional corporations, and village corporations
under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
(E) any land held by dependent Indian
communities within the borders of the United
States whether within the original or
subsequently acquired territory thereof, and
whether within or without the limits of a
State.
(7) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means an
Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or
community, including any Native village, Regional
Corporation, or Village Corporation, as defined m
subsection (c), (g), or (j), respectively, of section 3
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1602 (c), (g), or (j)), that is recognized as eligible
for the special programs and services provided by the
United States under federal law to Indians because of
their status as Indians.
(8) Priority project.--The term ``priority project''
means an appropriate conservation project conducted on
eligible service lands to further 1 or more of the
purposes of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), as follows:
(A) To reduce wildfire risk to a community,
municipal water supply, or other at-risk
Federal land.
(B) To protect a watershed or address a
threat to forest and rangeland health,
including catastrophic wildfire.
(C) To address the impact of insect or
disease infestations or other damaging agents
on forest and rangeland health.
(D) To protect, restore, or enhance forest
ecosystem components to--
(i) promote the recovery of
threatened or endangered species;
(ii) improve biological diversity; or
(iii) enhance productivity and carbon
sequestration.
(9) Public lands.--The term ``public lands'' means
any lands or waters (or interest therein) owned or
administered by the United States, except that such
term does not include any Indian lands.
(10) Qualified youth or conservation corps.--The term
``qualified outh or conservation corps'' means any
program established by a State or local government, by
the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a
nonprofit organization that--
(A) is capable of offering meaningful, full-
time, productive work for individuals between
the ages of 16 and [25] 30, inclusive, in a
natural or cultural resource setting;
(B) gives participants a mix of work
experience, basic and life skills, education,
training, and support services; and
(C) provides participants with the
opportunity to develop citizenship values and
skills through service to their community and
the United States.
(11) Resource assistant.--The term ``resource
assistant'' means a resource assistant selected under
section 206.
(12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
(A) with respect to National Forest System
land, the Secretary of Agriculture; and
(B) with respect to Indian lands, Hawaiian
home lands, or land administered by the
Department of the Interior, the Secretary of
the Interior.
(13) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of
the United States, the Distnct of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands
of the United States, American Samoa, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
SEC. 204. PUBLIC LANDS CORPS PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Public Lands Corps.--There is hereby
established in the Department of the Interior and the
Department of Agriculture a Public Lands Corps.
(b) Participants.--The Corps shall consist of individuals
between the ages of 16 and [25] 30, inclusive, who are enrolled
as participants in the Corps by the Secretary. To be eligible
for enrollment in the Corps, an individual shall satisfy the
criteria specified in section 137(b) of the National and
Community Service Act of 1990. The Secretary may enroll such
individuals in the Corps without regard to the civil service
and classification laws, rules, or regulations of the United
States. The Secretary may establish a preference for the
enrollment in the Corps of individuals who are economically,
physically, or educationally disadvantaged.
(c) Qualified Youth or Conservation Corps.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to enter
into contracts and cooperative agreements with any
qualified youth or conservation corps to perform
appropriate conservation projects referred to in
subsection (d).
(2) Preference.--
(A) In general.--For purposes of entering
into contracts and cooperative agreements under
paragraph (1), the Secretary may give
preference to qualified youth or conservation
corps located in a specific area that have a
substantial portion of members who are
economically, physically, or educationally
disadvantaged to carry out projects within the
area.
(B) Priority projects.--In carrying out
priority projects in a specific area, the
Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, give preference to qualified youth
or conservation corps located in that specific
area that have a substantial portion of members
who are economically, physically, or
educationally disadvantaged.
(d) Projects To Be Carried Out.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may utilize the Corps
or any qualified youth or conservation corps to carry
out appropriate conservation projects which the
Secretary is authorized to carry out under other
authority of law on public lands.
(2) Projects on indian lands.--Appropriate
conservation projects may also be carried out under
this title on Indian lands with the approval of the
Indian tribe involved and on Hawaiian home lands with
the approval of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
of the State of Hawaii.
(3) Disaster prevention or relief projects.--The
Secretary may authorize appropriate conservation
projects and other appropriate projects to be carried
out on Federal, State, local, or private land as part
of a Federal disaster prevention or relief effort.
(e) Preference for Certain Projects.--In selecting
appropriate conservation projects to be carried out under this
title, the Secretary shall give preference to those projects
which--
(1) will provide long-term benefits to the public;
(2) will instill in the enrollee involved a work
ethic and a sense of public service;
(3) will be labor intensive;
(4) can be planned and initiated promptly; and
(5) will provide academic, experiential, or
environmental education opportunities.
(f) Consistency.--Each appropriate conservation project
carried out under this title on eligible service lands shall be
consistent with the provisions of law and policies relating to
the management and administration of such lands, with all other
applicable provisions of law, and with all management,
operational, and other plans and documents which govern the
administration of the area.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 207. LIVING ALLOWANCES AND TERMS OF SERVICE.
(a) Living Allowances.--The Secretary shall provide each
participant in the Public Lands Corps and each resource
assistant with a living allowance in an amount established by
the Secretary.
(b) Terms of Service.--Each participant in the Corps and each
resource assistant shall agree to participate in the Corps or
serve as a resource assistant, as the case may be, for such
term of service as may be established by the Secretary
enrolling or selecting the individual.
(c) Hiring.--The Secretary may--
(1) grant to a member of the Public Lands Corps
credit for time served with the Public Lands Corps,
which may be used toward future Federal hiring; and
(2) provide to a former member of the Public Lands
Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not
more than [120 days] 2 years after the date on which
the member's service with the Public Lands Corps is
complete.
* * * * * * *
----------
TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART III--EMPLOYEES
* * * * * * *
SUBPART D--PAY AND ALLOWANCES
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 53--PAY RATES AND SYSTEMS
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE PAY RATES
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5316. Positions at level V
Level V of the Executive Schedule applies to the following
positions, for which the annual rate of basic pay shall be the
rate determined with respect to such level under chapter 11 of
title 2, as adjusted by section 5318 of this title:
Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration,
Department of the Interior.
Administrator of the National Capital Transportation
Agency.
Associate Administrators of the Small Business
Administration (4).
Associate Administrators, National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (7).
Associate Deputy Administrator, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
Deputy Associate Administrator, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
Archivist of the United States.
Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for
Administration.
Assistant Attorney General for Administration.
Assistant and Science Adviser to the Secretary of the
Interior.
Chairman, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the
United States, Department of Justice.
Chairman of the Renegotiation Board.
Chairman of the Subversive Activities Control Board.
Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service,
Department of the Treasury.
Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service, General
Services Administration.
Director, United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
Department of the Interior.
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Department of the
Interior.
Commissioners, Indian Claims Commission (5).
Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, General
Services Administration.
Commissioner of Reclamation, Department of the
Interior.
Commissioner of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department
of Health and Human Services.
Commissioner of Welfare, Department of Health and
Human Services.
Director, Bureau of Mines, Department of the
Interior.
Director, Geological Survey, Department of the
Interior.
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Department
of the Treasury.
Associate Director of the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service.
Associate Director for Volunteers, Peace Corps.
Associate Director for Program Development and
Operations, Peace Corps.
Assistants to the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Department of Justice (2).
Assistant Directors, Office of Emergency Planning
(3).
Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
General Counsel of the Agency for International
Development.
General Counsel of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
General Counsel of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
Manpower Administrator, Department of Labor.
Members, Renegotiation Board.
Members, Subversive Activities Control Board.
Assistant Administrator of General Services.
Director, United States Travel Service, Department of
Commerce.
Assistant Director (Program Planning, Analysis and
Research), Office of Economic Opportunity.
Deputy Director, National Security Agency.
Director, Bureau of Land Management, Department of
the Interior.
Director, National Park Service, Department of the
Interior.
National Export Expansion Coordinator, Department of
Commerce.
Staff Director, Commission on Civil Rights.
Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of
Transportation.
Director, United States National Museum, Smithsonian
Institution.
Director, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,
Smithsonian Institution.
Administrator of the Environmental Science Services
Administration.
Associate Directors of the Office of Personnel
Management (5).
Assistant Federal Highway Administrator.
Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.
Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration.
Assistant Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator.
Director, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs,
Department of Justice.
Vice Presidents, Overseas Private Investment
Corporation (3).
Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration,
Department of Transportation.
General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission.
Executive Director, Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation.
Additional Officers, Department of Energy (14).
Additional officers, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(5).
Assistant Administrator for Coastal Zone Management,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Assistant Administrators (3), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
General Counsel, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
Members, Federal Labor Relations Authority (2) and
its General Counsel.
Additional officers, Institute for Scientific and
Technological Cooperation (2).
Additional officers, Office of Management and Budget
(6).
Chief Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health
and Human Services.
Commissioners, United States Parole Commission (8).
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth, and
Families.
Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation.
* * * * * * *
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
The 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS) is
an opportunity for Congress to think big about the future of
our national parks. With over 300 million visits in 2015,
attendance at national parks is at an all-time high. These
visits generate over $32 billion in annual economic activity, a
4-to-1 return on investment, and support nearly 300,000 jobs.
Despite soaring popularity and a clear incentive for
further investment, funding has not kept pace with the need to
replace and repair existing infrastructure and other park
resources. As many House Republicans are quick to point out,
NPS is saddled with an approximately $12 billion backlog of
deferred maintenance projects ranging from decaying roads and
worn out bridges, to crumbling visitor centers and leaky
faucets. Putting a dent in this backlog requires funding from
Congress.
That's why we are eager to work on a bipartisan solution to
address NPS' funding challenges and provide the agency with the
tools it needs to succeed for another hundred years.
H.R. 4680, introduced by Natural Resource Committee
Chairman Bishop, is similar in many ways to H.R. 3556, a bill
with the same name introduced by Natural Resources Ranking
Member Grijalva. However, disagreement over how much Congress
should invest in NPS as it celebrates its 100th birthday is the
key difference between the two bills. H.R. 3556 authorizes more
than a billion dollars in mandatory spending over the next
three years to directly invest in park infrastructure and
visitor services; H.R. 4680, on the other hand, does not
include any of this upfront spending to support national parks.
At markup, Committee Democrats made the case to add
additional funding to the bill. However, an amendment by
Ranking Member Grijalva to provide NPS with $300 million per
year over the next three years to address the maintenance
backlog was rejected by Committee Republicans. Similarly, an
amendment by Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Ranking
Member Lowenthal to give NPS immediate access to $50 million
already earmarked to address the backlog was rejected on a
party line vote.
Furthermore, H.R. 4680 adjusts the price of the lifetime
America the Beautiful Senior Pass from $10 to $80, while
including the option of a $20 annual pass. The revenue raised
from the adjusted cost will be directed to the National Park
Centennial Challenge Fund to finance signature projects across
the National Park System. This has the potential to be an
important new revenue source for NPS. There are concerns,
however, about how the sudden cost increase of the pass will
impact access for low-income seniors. In addition to providing
an affordable option accessible to all seniors, it is also
important that the pass retains its perceived value and
continues to encourage visitation among seniors. We are pleased
that the Majority partially addressed these concerns by
incorporating the $20 annual pass option into the bill. Federal
Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Tsongas went further to
address these concerns and offered an amendment to ensure that
seniors who purchase four annual passes will be issued a
lifetime pass upon validation of receipt. This amendment,
however, was withdrawn with a commitment from Chairman Bishop
to include a version of the 4-for-1 concept in the final bill.
Committee Democrats also made attempts to address ongoing
copyright protection issues that have recently forced NPS to
change the names of iconic locations in Yosemite National Park,
including the former Awahnee Hotel. Without action from
Congress, NPS could lose the naming rights to other parks and
memorable locations throughout the system. Water, Power, and
Oceans Subcommittee Ranking Member Huffman offered an amendment
to protect NPS' intellectual property and clarify the rules for
the commercial use of national park names and other resources
managed by the agency. The Huffman amendment was withdrawn with
the understanding that the issue of intellectual property
protection will be addressed in the final version of the bill.
Representative Huffman also offered an amendment to clarify the
role of national park partner organizations. That amendment was
withdrawn with a commitment from Chairman Bishop and Ranking
Member Grijalva to continue working on the underlying concerns
related to the appropriate role of park partner organizations.
Lastly, Ranking Member Grijalva offered an amendment to
incorporate the text of H.R. 2167--Public Land Service Corps
Act--into the underlying bill. The Public Lands Service Corps
Act builds on an already successful but underfunded program
established in the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-82)
and reinvigorates Corps programs by modernizing the scope of
eligible projects to reflect new challenges, such as climate
change. An enhanced Public Land Corps is a critical program NPS
and other federal land management agencies can utilize to
address critical maintenance needs and train the next
generation of park stewards. This amendment was withdrawn with
the commitment from Chairman Bishop that the committee will
schedule a hearing on H.R. 2167 before the end of the 114th
Congress.
While we support the objectives of H.R. 4680, we are
disappointed that it does not include even a fraction on the
upfront investment outlined in H.R. 3556. Our national parks
deserve sustained support from Congress, and we look forward to
working with House Republicans on legislation that honors the
past and supports the future of NPS.
Raul Grijalva,
Ranking Member,
Committee on Natural
Resources.
Niki Tsongas.
Grace F. Napolitano.
Jared Huffman.
Jared Polis.
Donald S. Beyer, Jr.
Alan Lowenthal.