To amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for free annual passes to licensed foster families.

119th Congress Introduced by Russ Fulcher

The bill would grant free annual federal recreation passes to licensed foster families, expanding free access to federally managed lands and waters.

Introduced in House

Summary of HR 9145 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) to authorize free annual passes for licensed foster families. The core aim is to provide cost-free access to federally managed recreation areas for families licensed to foster children, reducing financial barriers to outdoor recreation for children in foster care and the families who care for them.

Key provisions and changes

Amends FLREA provisions to establish eligibility for free annual passes specifically for licensed foster families.

Establishes that such passes would grant free admission or access to federal lands and waters managed by the relevant agencies (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other FLREA-covered lands) for the pass holder and potentially certain accompanying individuals, consistent with FLREA pass use.

Defines eligibility criteria for foster families (i.e., licensed foster homes as recognized by the relevant state or tribal authorities) and outlines the process to verify status to receive the free pass.

Sets administrative mechanisms for issuing passes (e.g., application, verification, and renewal processes) and clarifies how passes interact with existing FLREA pass programs (e.g., annual passes for seniors, veterans, or other categories) to avoid duplication or misuse.

Addresses enforcement and accountability, including potential limitations, expiration timelines, and any required reporting or oversight by the issuing agencies.

Who would be affected

Licensed foster families (as defined by state regulatory authorities) would gain eligibility for free annual passes.

Federal land management agencies administering FLREA-eligible properties would implement the program, process applications, and issue passes.

Other FLREA passholders and the general public may experience changes in administrative processes or eligibility verification procedures to accommodate the new category.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of provisions within their jurisdictions.

Sponsor: House Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher (co-sponsor).

Next steps typically involve committee review, markup, and potential floor consideration. Specific timelines would be determined by committee schedules and House leadership.

The bill’s treatment would be coordinated with existing FLREA programs to ensure consistency and avoid duplicative benefits or conflicts with current pass categories.

Potential impact and considerations

Positive impact on foster families by lowering out-of-pocket costs for outdoor recreation and fostering opportunities for bonding, education, and well-being through nature access.

Administrative considerations include establishing clear verification processes to prevent fraud, ensuring timely issuance of passes, and aligning with federal budget implications and potential cost to agencies.

Could influence outdoor recreation participation rates among foster families and set a precedent for expanding access programs in other federal recreation programs.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to current FLREA pass types and outline potential budgetary considerations or a stakeholder impact matrix.