It has cleared committee and can be brought up at any time, though no date is set.
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesAdvisory bodiesCongressional oversightGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsInfrastructure developmentIntellectual propertyParks, recreation areas, trailsPublic contracts and procurementUser charges and fees
Why This Matters
This bill, called the America the Beautiful Act, extends and increases funding for a federal restoration fund through 2033. It updates how funds are allocated, boosts donation opportunities, and adds reporting and asset disposal rules.
Who this affects
Federal agencies · Visitors · Donors
What changes is this bill making?
1It extends annual deposits into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund from 2025 to 2033 and raises the cap from $1.9 billion to $2.0 billion.
2It allows fund use on land managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), not just wildlife refuges.
3Agencies must prioritize projects that receive private donations covering at least 15 percent of project costs.
4It requires agencies to submit an annual list of restoration projects to Congress covering the current and next fiscal year.
5If full-year appropriations are delayed, the President can allocate previously approved fund amounts for the next fiscal year.
6It expands public donation opportunities, including at park pass purchase, and credits those donations directly to specific projects.
7It directs agencies to dispose of constructed assets that no longer serve the public interest or mission.
8It mandates a report to Congress within one year describing non-Fund maintenance actions and a plan to boost preventive maintenance.