H.R. 105 (119th)Bill Overview

Increasing Public Access to Recreation Act

Public Lands and Natural Resources|Parks, recreation areas, trailsPublic Lands and Natural Resources
Cosponsors
Support
Republican
Introduced
Jan 3, 2025
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief
Plain-English summaryWhat this bill actually does

This bill amends 54 U.S.C. §200306(c) to increase the share and dollar cap available for recreational public access on Federal land, changing the percentage from 3 percent to 10 percent and raising the dollar amount from $15,000,000 to $50,000,000.

Why people may split

Left emphasizes equity and public-health benefits; right emphasizes federal spending concerns.

Watch point

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment that precisely specifies the textual changes to existing law but provides minimal contextual, fiscal, implementation, or oversight detail.

This bill amends 54 U.S.C. §200306(c) to increase the share and dollar cap available for recreational public access on Federal land, changing the percentage from 3 percent to 10 percent and raising the dollar amount from $15,000,000 to $50,000,000.

Passage65/100

Narrow, non-ideological funding tweak with modest fiscal impact is relatively likely to pass, though dependent on appropriations packaging and Senate procedures.

CredibilityPartially aligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment that precisely specifies the textual changes to existing law but provides minimal contextual, fiscal, implementation, or oversight detail.

Contention62/100

Left emphasizes equity and public-health benefits; right emphasizes federal spending concerns.

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Likely benefits vs burdens50% / 50%
Federal agencies · Local governmentsFederal agencies

These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.

Likely helped
  • Federal agenciesIncreases funding available for construction and maintenance of recreation access infrastructure on Federal land.
  • Local governmentsLikely supports additional local jobs in construction, maintenance, and recreation services (estimate uncertain).
  • Local governmentsMay boost nearby tourism and local economic activity by improving public access to recreational areas.
Likely burdened
  • Potential burdenRedirects a larger share of program funds away from other conservation or acquisition priorities.
  • Potential burdenGreater public access may increase environmental disturbance, erosion, and wildlife stress in some areas.
  • Federal agenciesImposes higher near‑term federal spending or reallocation pressures without identifying new revenue sources.
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Left emphasizes equity and public-health benefits; right emphasizes federal spending concerns.
Progressive85%

Likely supportive because the bill increases federal resources for public recreational access.

Sees potential to expand equitable outdoor opportunities, but will watch for environmental protections and equitable distribution.

Leans supportive
Centrist65%

Generally favorable if costs are justified and administration is accountable.

Views this as a modest expansion of recreational funding that should include oversight and measurable outcomes.

Split reaction
Conservative30%

Skeptical about expanding federal spending and authority, though supportive of public access in principle.

Concerned about federal overreach, cost, and impacts on property or resource management.

Likely resistant
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood65/100

Narrow, non-ideological funding tweak with modest fiscal impact is relatively likely to pass, though dependent on appropriations packaging and Senate procedures.

Scope and complexity
24%
Scopenarrow
24%
Complexitylow
Why this could stall
  • Whether the increase requires new appropriations or reallocation
  • Missing cost estimate or CBO score details
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

No vote history yet

The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Left emphasizes equity and public-health benefits; right emphasizes federal spending concerns.

Narrow, non-ideological funding tweak with modest fiscal impact is relatively likely to pass, though dependent on appropriations packaging…

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment that precisely specifies the textual changes to existing law but provides minimal contextual, fiscal, implementation, or o…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
Open full analysis