PARC Act

# PARC Act Summary The PARC Act (S 1037) would establish a new recreational fee system for federal parks and public lands managed by agencies like the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. The bill would allow these agencies to collect user fees from visitors and use that revenue to fund maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and conservation efforts on those lands.

It gives federal land managers more flexibility in setting and keeping fees rather than sending all revenue to the federal government's general treasury. The bill primarily affects outdoor recreationalists—hikers, campers, hunters, and others who use national parks, forests, and public lands—who would potentially pay entrance or activity fees. It also impacts the federal agencies managing these lands, which would gain more direct control over revenue generated from their properties. The key provision is allowing agencies to retain and directly spend fees collected rather than routing them through Congress's appropriations process, theoretically enabling faster and more responsive maintenance and improvements. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.