Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act
Summary
SB3456, titled the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act, would amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to provide a free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to eligible law enforcement officers and firefighters. The bill defines firefighters broadly to include federal, state, local, and tribal employees whose work is directly related to suppressing fires, including wildland fires. It also defines law enforcement officers to include federal, state, local, and tribal officers, agents, or employees authorized to prevent, detect, or investigate criminal law violations, or to supervise sentenced criminal offenders.
The bill would also preserve the existing free-pass benefit for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, while adding the new categories of public safety personnel. Eligibility would depend on providing adequate proof as determined by the Secretary. In practical terms, the measure expands the class of people who may receive no-cost access to national parks and other federal recreational lands under the annual pass program.
Impact
The bill would amend 16 U.S.C. 6804(b) in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act by replacing the current annual pass provision with a broader mandatory free-pass category for law enforcement officers and firefighters. This would affect federal recreation pass administration by the Department of the Interior and the agencies that manage National Parks and other federal recreational lands. It would not create a new program, but would expand eligibility for an existing one and require the Secretary to establish proof-of-eligibility procedures.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill. It was introduced by Senator Sheehy with bipartisan cosponsors, including Senators Luján, Cassidy, Risch, and Crapo, which indicates cross-party support for the proposal. No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no evidence of formal opposition in the provided materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is eligibility and administration: the bill uses broad definitions for both firefighters and law enforcement officers, including federal, state, local, and tribal personnel, which could raise questions about proof of status and the scope of covered occupations. Another possible point of discussion is the cost of expanding free access to federal recreation lands, though no explicit fiscal objection appears in the provided record. Because there are no transcripts or votes, no specific member or stakeholder opposition is documented here.
Establishes law enforcement officer grant funds and firefighter grant funds to cover expenses related to hiring law enforcement officers and firefighters and equipment and resources for such officers and firefighters.
Establishes law enforcement officer grant funds and firefighter grant funds to cover expenses related to hiring law enforcement officers and firefighters and equipment and resources for such officers and firefighters.