Should 4th Graders & Their Families Get Free Entrance to Federal Lands? (H.R. 3186)

What is H.R. 3186?

(Updated May 14, 2019)

This bill ― the Every Kid Outdoors Act— would provide America’s fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed land, waters, and historic sites, including national parks.

Additionally, the bill would encourage increased public/private partnerships between our federal lands, schools and private and nonprofit organizations. Since 2015, the Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. In doing so, the program leveraged over $2 million in private donations and volunteer hours, and created hundreds of partnerships with schools, non-profits, and private sector businesses to support outdoor education programming and recreation opportunities for underserved youth.

Argument in favor

This bill would make it easier for children and their families to spend more time outdoors enjoying our beautiful federally-owned lands throughout the country.

Argument opposed

While well-intended, this bill would cost the federal government funding they’d typically get from the entrance fee in to the national parks and federal lands.

Impact

Fourth graders and their families; and federal land management agencies.

Cost of H.R. 3186

The CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3186 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Introduced by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the Every Kid Outdoors Act is aimed at encouraging kids to get outdoors and experience America’s public spaces, while engaging in healthy activity and educational programs.

“Our nation’s public lands protect, celebrate, and give access to the many places that have shaped and defined who we are as Americans. The Every Kid Outdoors Act will inspire a new and more diverse generation to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle, learn about our country’s natural and historic treasures, and fall in love with our public lands and the outdoors,” said Tsongas. “I thank my colleagues for their dedication to this effort and look forward to seeing more kids experiencing these special places.”

“Growing up in western Colorado, National Parks have been a big part of my life. They are the backdrop of countless memories and educational experiences for me and my family, and I want to make sure kids across the country have the opportunity to experience the wonder that is our National Park System,” said Rep. Tipton. “Public/private partnerships can go a long way towards providing our communities with exciting opportunities that otherwise may not have been possible, and I look forward to seeing how schools across the nation will use this program to open up new worlds for their students when the Every Kid Outdoors Act is signed into law.”

This legislation passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously and has the support of 54 cosponsors, including 51 Democrats and three Republicans. The bill is supported by the Outdoors Alliance For Kids (OAK), National Recreation and Park Association, Sierra Club, YMCA of the USA, The Wilderness Society, National Park Trust, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Wildlife Federation, Trust for Public Land, and the Outdoor Industry Association.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA) Press Release
  

Summary by Lucas McConnell

(Photo Credit: iStock / Bill_Vorasate)