Home > 108th Congressional Bills > S. 1107 (rs) To enhance the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program for the National Park Service, and for other purposes. [Reported in Senate] ...S. 1107 (rs) To enhance the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program for the National Park Service, and for other purposes. [Reported in Senate] ...
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1107
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 20, 2004
Referred to the Committee on Resources
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AN ACT
To enhance the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program for the National
Park Service, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Recreational Fee Authority Act of
2004''.
SEC. 2. RECREATION FEE AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Beginning on January 1, 2006, the Secretary of the
Interior (``Secretary'') may establish, modify, charge, and collect
fees for admission to a unit of the National Park System and the use of
National Park Service (``Service'') administered areas, lands, sites,
facilities, and services (including reservations) by individuals and/or
groups. Fees shall be based on an analysis by the Secretary of--
(1) the benefits and services provided to the visitor;
(2) the cumulative effect of fees;
(3) the comparable fees charged elsewhere and by other
public agencies and by nearby private sector operators;
(4) the direct and indirect cost and benefit to the
government;
(5) public policy or management objectives served;
(6) economic and administrative feasibility of fee
collection; and
(7) other factors or criteria determined by the Secretary.
(b) Number of Fees.--The Secretary shall establish the minimum
number of fees and shall avoid the collection of multiple or layered
fees for a wide variety of uses, activities or programs.
(c) Analysis.--The results of the analysis together with the
Secretary's determination of appropriate fee levels shall be
transmitted to the Congress at least three months prior to publication
of such fees in the Federal Register. New fees and any increases or
decreases in established fees shall be published in the Federal
Register and no new fee or change in the amount of fees shall take
place until at least 12 months after the date the notice is published
in the Federal Register.
(d) Additional Authorities.--Beginning on January 1, 2006, the
Secretary may enter into agreements, including contracts to provide
reasonable commissions or reimbursements with any public or private
entity for visitor reservation services, fee collection and/or
processing services.
(e) Administration.--The Secretary may provide discounted or free
admission days or use, may modify the National Park Passport,
established pursuant to Public Law 105-391, and shall provide
information to the public about the various fee programs and the costs
and benefits of each program.
(f) State Agency Admission and Special Use Passes.--Effective
January 1, 2006, and notwithstanding the Federal Grants Cooperative
Agreements Act, the Secretary may enter into revenue sharing agreements
with State agencies to accept their annual passes and convey the same
privileges, terms and conditions as offered under the auspices of the
National Park Passport, to State agency annual passes and shall only be
accepted for all of the units of the National Park System within the
boundaries of the State in which the specific revenue sharing agreement
is entered into except where the Secretary has established a fee that
includes a unit or units located in more than one State.
SEC. 3. DISTRIBUTION OF RECEIPTS.
Without further appropriation, all receipts collected pursuant to
the Act or from sales of the National Park Passport shall be retained
by the Secretary and may be expended as follows:
(1) 80 percent of amounts collected at a specific area,
site, or project as determined by the Secretary, shall remain
available for use at the specific area, site or project, except
for those units of the National Park System that participate in
an active revenue sharing agreement with a State under Section
2(f) of this Act, not less than 90 percent of amounts collected
at a specific area, site, or project shall remain available for
use.
(2) The balance of the amounts collected shall remain
available for use by the Service on a Service-wide basis as
determined by the Secretary.
(3) Monies generated as a result of revenue sharing
agreements established pursuant to Section 2(f) may provide for
a fee-sharing arrangement. The Service shares of fees shall be
distributed equally to all units of the National Park System in
the specific States that are parties to the revenue sharing
agreement.
(4) Not less than 50 percent of the amounts collected from
the sale of the National Park Passport shall remain available
for use at the specific area, site, or project at which the
fees were collected and the balance of the receipts shall be
distributed in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Section.
SEC. 4. EXPENDITURES.
(a) Use of Fees at Specific Area, Site, or Project.--Amounts
available for expenditure at a specific area, site or project shall be
accounted for separately and may be used for--
(1) repair, maintenance, facility enhancement, media
services and infrastructure including projects and expenses
relating to visitor enjoyment, visitor access, environmental
compliance, and health and safety;
(2) interpretation, visitor information, visitor service,
visitor needs assessments, monitoring, and signs;
(3) habitat enhancement, resource assessment, preservation,
protection, and restoration related to recreation use; and
(4) law enforcement relating to public use and recreation.
(b) The Secretary may use not more than fifteen percent of total
revenues to administer the recreation fee program including direct
operating or capital costs, cost of fee collection, notification of fee
requirements, direct infrastructure, fee program management costs,
bonding of volunteers, start-up costs, and analysis and reporting on
program accomplishments and effects.
SEC. 5. REPORTS.
On January 1, 2009, and every three years thereafter the Secretary
shall submit to the Congress a report detailing the status of the
Recreation Fee Program conducted in units of the National Park System
including an evaluation of the Recreation Fee Program conducted at each
unit of the National Park System; a description of projects that were
funded, work accomplished, and future projects and programs for funding
with fees, and any recommendations for changes in the overall fee
system.
Passed the Senate May 19, 2004.
Attest:
EMILY J. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.
Pages: 1 Other Popular 108th Congressional Bills Documents:
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