House · HR 9250 · 119th Congress
Great American Outdoors Act 250
Summary
This bill renames an existing federal fund and directs money from energy royalties and new foreign visitor fees toward fixing run-down facilities in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Indian Education schools. It affects visitors, energy companies, and federal land agencies. The goal is to clear a large backlog of delayed repairs by 2030.
In Favor
Millions of Americans visit parks and forests that have crumbling roads, trails, and buildings. This bill sends steady funding directly to those repairs without relying on Congress to approve money each year. It also requires public reporting so citizens can track exactly where the money goes.
Against
The bill charges foreign tourists at least $100 per visit, which could drive away international visitors who spend money in nearby communities. Energy royalty money sent to this fund cannot be used for other pressing federal needs. Rules capping architect fees and skipping normal review steps could reduce project quality.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill aims to fix a large repair backlog at national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Indian Education schools. It renames an existing fund and adds new money sources to pay for those repairs.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
Most provisions focus on fixing and maintaining public land buildings, roads, and trails. The bill also adds a new fee of at least $100 for foreign tourists visiting federal lands, which extends beyond repair funding alone.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Visitors to national parks and federal lands benefit from repaired facilities and improved access. Foreign tourists face new mandatory fees of at least $100 per visit or $250 for an annual pass. Federal agencies gain funding but also face new reporting and planning duties.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The fund receives up to $1.9 billion per year through fiscal year 2030 from energy revenues and the new foreign visitor fees. Agencies may use up to 3 percent of deposits for administration and up to 8 percent for project planning. No independent cost estimate from CBO is included in the source documents.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires agencies to create new tracking systems, databases, and annual reports within set deadlines, which depends on having enough staff. Matching donation goals for some projects may not be met within five years, requiring funds to be reassigned.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 8/8/2026