Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act
Summary
The "Protecting America's Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act" proposes amending the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. It aims to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to collect a surcharge from international visitors to National Park System units. The funds collected would be used for maintenance, visitor services, staffing, and related needs within the park system.
Expected Effects
This act could lead to increased revenue for national parks, specifically earmarked for improvements and services. It also grants the Secretary of the Interior and park superintendents the authority to set and adjust surcharge amounts. This may affect the cost of visiting national parks for international tourists.
Potential Benefits
- Increased funding for National Park System units, leading to better maintenance and visitor services.
- Potential for improved staffing levels at national parks.
- Revenue generation without directly impacting domestic visitors.
- Flexibility for park superintendents to adjust surcharges based on visitation levels.
- Dedicated funding stream for specific needs within the National Park System.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could potentially deter some international visitors due to increased costs.
- May create administrative overhead for collecting and managing the surcharges.
- Potential for inconsistent application of surcharges across different park units.
- Possible negative impact on international relations if perceived as discriminatory.
- The act does not address how the surcharges will impact existing agreements with foreign countries regarding park management.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2), which grants Congress the power to manage and regulate federal lands and property. The act does not appear to infringe upon any individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The act also aligns with the general welfare clause.
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).