National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act
Summary
The National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act allows the Secretary of the Interior to extend certain leases within National Park System units without requiring open bidding. This applies to leases entered into at least five years prior, where the lessee is compliant, and the extension is deemed in the best interest of the park unit's administration. The Act also mandates the Secretary to revise relevant regulations within 90 days of enactment to reflect this new authority.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to streamline the lease extension process for existing lessees within National Parks. This could lead to more stable business operations and potentially encourage further investment in park facilities. It also centralizes decision-making power with the Secretary of the Interior regarding these lease extensions.
Potential Benefits
- Encourages Investment: Allows businesses to invest in park facilities with longer lease certainty.
- Streamlines Processes: Reduces administrative burden by waiving bidding requirements for lease extensions.
- Supports Existing Businesses: Provides stability for businesses already operating within National Parks.
- Preserves Park Resources: Ensures compliance with existing lease terms, promoting responsible park usage.
- Enhances Park Administration: Gives the Secretary of Interior flexibility to manage leases in the best interest of the park.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced Competition: Waiving bidding requirements could limit opportunities for new businesses.
- Potential for Favoritism: The Secretary's discretion could lead to concerns about fairness in lease extensions.
- Limited Public Input: Reduced transparency in the lease extension process.
- Risk of Stagnation: Existing lessees may become complacent without competitive pressure.
- Possible Undervaluation: Without bidding, the lease extension terms might not reflect the true market value.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly Article IV, Section 3, which grants Congress the power to manage federal property. The Act delegates authority to the Secretary of the Interior, which is a common practice. There is no apparent infringement on individual rights or liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights.
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).