The DRIVE Across America Act of 2026 establishes the Cleaner TRAILS Initiative to promote zero-emission vehicles and fueling infrastructure on National Forest and National Park lands. This program requires the Forest Service and National Park Service to develop a strategy for installing charging stations, purchasing electric vehicles for their fleets, and offering shuttle services that run on clean energy. The bill also directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation to expand electric vehicle charging access near airports and tourist destinations, while authorizing $1 billion in federal funding between 2027 and 2031 to support these efforts. Additionally, the legislation mandates that agreements for transportation services on federal lands give priority to providers using zero-emission vehicles and requires regular reporting to Congress on progress and spending.
This bill redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park within the National Park System. It establishes specific protections for traditional cultural and religious sites, ensuring access for tribes with ancestral connections to the area, and requires the park manager to consult with Indian tribes on management issues. The legislation also authorizes fishing on park waters under state and federal laws while allowing the Secretary to create safety zones where fishing is restricted. Additionally, the bill mandates that approximately 134 acres of land held by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation be placed into federal trust for the tribe, provided the land is not used for gambling.
This bill establishes the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area as a unit of the National Park System to protect the natural, cultural, and recreational resources along the Texas Gulf Coast. The area would be created only after the Secretary of the Interior acquires sufficient land through voluntary means such as donations, purchases from willing sellers, or exchanges, with no use of condemnation. A new partnership involving federal, state, local, and private stakeholders will develop a management plan that coordinates activities across both federally owned lands and participating private or state lands. The legislation ensures that private landowners retain their rights and that existing economic activities like hunting, fishing, and oil and gas operations continue without new regulations, while allowing the National Park Service to provide technical assistance and interpretive services.
This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.
This bill, titled the Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act, requires the Secretary of the Interior to make specific federal recreational lands and waters free of admission fees on designated dates throughout the year. The key provision mandates that these free access days include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week, Juneteenth, Great American Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day. Additionally, the legislation grants the Secretary the authority to establish extra fee-free days beyond those listed. These changes directly affect visitors to national parks and other federal recreational areas by providing them with guaranteed free entry on these holidays and observances.
The Complete America's Great Trails Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage donations of land that includes National Scenic Trails or their surrounding corridors. This provision allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to the fair market value of the donated land, provided the property meets specific width requirements and is used for conservation purposes. The bill also permits continued recreational or agricultural use of the donated land as long as such activities do not harm significant conservation interests. Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to study the credit's effectiveness and report back to Congress within four years regarding potential changes like making the credit refundable.
The Complete America's Great Trails Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage private landowners to donate land or conservation easements that include National Scenic Trails. This provision allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to the fair market value of their donation, provided the land covers a trail corridor of at least 50 feet on each side, while also preventing them from taking a separate tax deduction for the same gift. The bill permits continued recreational or agricultural use of the donated land as long as it does not harm conservation goals. Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to study the credit's effectiveness and report to Congress on whether it should be made refundable or transferable within four years.
This bill proposes to officially rename Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., to Rock Creek National Park. The change recognizes the area's significant natural, cultural, and historical resources while updating federal laws and records to reflect the new title. No new funding or operational rules are included; the legislation simply alters the park's designation within existing legal frameworks.
This bill transfers administrative control of about 330 acres of federal land in Tuolumne County, California, between two agencies. Approximately 160 acres currently managed by the Forest Service will be moved to the National Park Service to become part of Yosemite National Park, while about 170 acres currently managed by the National Park Service will be transferred to the Forest Service to become part of Stanislaus National Forest. The legislation includes provisions for minor boundary adjustments, requires notification about any hazardous substances on the land, and ensures that cleanup responsibilities remain with the original agency that held jurisdiction before the transfer. Existing rights, permits, and authorizations on the land remain valid, though the new managing agency will be responsible for administering them going forward.
This Senate resolution designates May 16, 2026, as "Kids to Parks Day" to encourage families to visit national, state, and local parks. The bill aims to promote outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and healthy lifestyles for young people across rural, suburban, and urban communities. By officially recognizing this date, the Senate encourages Americans to take part in safe, active family trips to public lands.
