NEGUSE CHAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING ON CRITICAL PUBLIC SPACES AND PARKS BILLS IN HONOR OF GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Chair of the U.S. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, held a legislative hearing on eight bills to provide improvements for national parks, public lands, and outdoor spaces in honor of Great Outdoors Month.

Great Outdoors Month was officially designated in 2019, after decades of support, to commemorate a month-long celebration of responsible, healthy outdoor recreation on local, state, and federal lands and waters.

"In this committee, we are committed to continuing to do our job and promote the health of outdoor spaces across the U.S. Today's hearing moved several critical bills forward, all of which work to provide federal support for several initiatives within our country's national parks and across public lands." said Subcommittee Chairman Neguse.

The Subcommittee considered the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022 (H.R. 7693), led by Representatives Grijalva (D-AZ) and Westerman (R-AR), of which Neguse is a cosponsor and longtime advocate. This bill reauthorizes the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, and increases its federal funding authorization to promote increased maintenance and construction projects on public lands.

Members also covered the Beilenson Trailhead Designation Act, H.R. 4658, the Valley Forge Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act, H.R. 7952, the Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act of 2021, H.R. 1548, the PACTS Act, H.R. 6442, the LODGE Act, H.R. 7615, and two additional bills to bolster recreation areas and commemorate historic events on public lands.

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