S. 2896: Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act
This bill, titled the Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act or STARS Act, aims to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States by providing free access to certain recreational sites.
Key Provisions
- Free Admission Day: The bill mandates that on September 17, 2026, admission fees to all units of the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System that normally charge an entrance fee will be waived. This means people can visit these parks and refuges without having to pay an entry fee on that specific day.
- Fee Waivers at Other Sites: Standard amenity recreation fees, which apply to various recreational sites managed by other federal agencies will also be waived on this date. This includes sites managed by:
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Visitors will not need to pay standard amenity fees at BLM-managed locations.
- Bureau of Reclamation: Similar fee waivers will apply at sites managed by this bureau.
- U.S. Forest Service: The bill also instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to waive standard amenity fees for Forest Service-managed sites.
Objectives
The overall purpose of the bill is to encourage public enjoyment and engagement with national parks and other federal recreational areas by eliminating fees on a significant anniversary of the country. It aims to promote heritage tourism, increased visitation to these natural areas, and foster a sense of community and appreciation for the environment and national history.
Implementation
The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture are responsible for implementing these provisions and ensuring that free access is provided on the designated day.
Relevant Companies
- HLT - Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc: The bill may positively impact companies in the hospitality sector, like Hilton, as increased visitor numbers to national parks could boost hotel bookings and tourism services in nearby areas.
- MAR - Marriott International Inc: Similar to Hilton, Marriott hotels may benefit from the increased footfall in national parks, resulting in higher occupancy rates during and around the anniversary date.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
5 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Sep. 18, 2025 | Introduced in Senate |
| Sep. 18, 2025 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
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