WASHINGTON — The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that would provide $9.5 billion over five years to help reduce the maintenance backlog in national parks.
The bill, S. 1547, the America the Beautiful Act, would fund repairs in part through a surcharge on nonresident visitors to national parks. President Donald Trump has already imposed a $100 fee on foreign visitors at participating parks beginning Jan. 1.
The legislation would expand the surcharge beyond the 11 parks currently authorized to collect it to all national parks that charge entrance fees. The bill does not set a specific surcharge amount and includes provisions for parks that charge per-vehicle rather than per-person admission fees.
The measure is sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., chairman and ranking member of the committee. It is similar to House legislation sponsored by Reps. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and Jared Huffman, D-Calif.
The House bill would require a minimum $100 surcharge per park for foreign visitors, including at smaller parks with relatively low entrance fees.
“UMA is part of a coalition of groups that has raised concerns about the impact of this fee on international group travel, and we are pleased to see improved language on the Senate side,” said Scott Michael, president and CEO of the United Motorcoach Association. “Concerns remain that a fee of this magnitude is already having a significant impact on reducing bus trips by foreign visitors, but that may ultimately be the intent for some parks.”
