Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act
Summary
The Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to law enforcement officers and firefighters. This benefit extends to federal, state, local, and tribal government employees who perform duties related to law enforcement or fire suppression. The Act defines 'firefighter' and 'law enforcement officer' to clarify eligibility.
Expected Effects
This Act will increase access to national parks and federal recreational lands for law enforcement officers and firefighters. It may also lead to increased park visitation and potential revenue generation through increased spending within the parks. The cost of the passes will be borne by the federal government.
Potential Benefits
- Increased recreational opportunities for law enforcement officers and firefighters.
- Potential boost to morale and well-being for these public servants.
- Increased visitation to national parks and federal recreational lands.
- Potential economic benefits to communities near these recreational areas.
- Recognition of the service provided by law enforcement and firefighters.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased strain on park resources due to higher visitation.
- Administrative costs associated with verifying eligibility and issuing passes.
- Potential for misuse or fraudulent acquisition of passes.
- Modest reduction in revenue to the National Park Service and other federal land management agencies.
- The cost of the passes will be borne by the federal government, potentially impacting other budgetary priorities.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to provide a benefit to public servants. Specifically, it could be argued that supporting the well-being of law enforcement and firefighters contributes to domestic tranquility and the general welfare, as outlined in the Preamble. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to manage federal lands, which implicitly includes the power to set fees and grant exceptions for access to those lands.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).