Daines Introduces Bill to Open National Parks, Ensure States are Reimbursed

Press Release

Congressman Steve Daines today formally introduced H.R. 3286, the Protecting States, Opening National Parks Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure states are reimbursed within 90 days for all state funds spent to pay for National Park operations.

Representatives Rob Bishop (R-UT), Paul Cook (R-CA), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Duncan (R-TN), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Phil Roe (R-TN), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) serve as original co-sponsors of Daines' legislation.

"Our National Parks not only represent an important part of this country's heritage--they are important drivers of many state economies," Congressman Steve Daines (R-MT)stated."While I'm pleased that the Obama administration has finally relented and allowed individual states to get our National Parks open again, it's unacceptable that a state like Montana could be forced to bear even more of a financial burden because of Washington's failures. My legislation will protect states and ensure they receive full compensation for their work to reopen our National Park gates."

"The attitude and actions of the Park Service during this shutdown have again shown that when it comes to managing lands, states can do a better job," addedCongressman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. "This bill would empower states to make life better for the people of the West when Washington fails."

The introduction of Daines' legislation follows the Department of Interior's recent announcement that states would be authorized to use state funds to reopen national parks that have been closed because of the government shutdown. Recognizing the economic importance of National Parks and tourism to many communities in Montana and other states, Daines' legislation ensures that all states that elect to help fund these operations are reimbursed by the federal government.

Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce (R-NM) added, "States have stepped forward to offer a solution by reopening the national parks that the federal government chose to shut down. Communities throughout the West are suffering from lost revenue from sharp decreases in tourism. This bill ensures that states who have taken it upon themselves to help out, and reopen our treasured landscapes, are compensated fairly."

"Arizona's economy continues to unnecessarily lose millions of dollars of economic activity because President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, and Minority Leader Pelosi refuse to negotiate with Republicans and end the shutdown," Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) stated. "States like Arizona are willing to step up and keep sites like the Grand Canyon open, as my state did during the 1995 shutdown, but they need assurances the federal government will keep their end of the bargain. This bill will ensure the feds do not continue to break their promises to our constituents."

"This important legislation would ensure states that move forward with reopening their National Parks are reimbursed when the Federal Government reopens," Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) added."This is especially important to states like Tennessee, where Governor Haslam must balance the budget. The Smokies are a beautiful part of the great state of Tennessee and have a huge economic impact in East Tennessee, especially during the fall months. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bill and I hope it will help reopen the gates to the parks across the country."