Bill > S472

This bill, titled the "Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act," amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to create a dedicated "Ski Area Fee Retention Account." This account will hold ski area permit rental charges collected by the Secretary of Agriculture from specific units within the National Forest System, known as "covered units." These collected fees will be available for use by the Secretary for four fiscal years. Importantly, 80 percent of the funds collected from a covered unit will be spent at that same unit, with 75 percent designated for Forest Service ski area program administration, including processing applications for new ski areas or improvements, staff training, visitor services, wildfire prevention, and direct costs associated with fee collection. The remaining 25 percent at the local level, and the other 20 percent distributed agency-wide, can be used for Forest Service facility repair, maintenance, or enhancement related to visitor enjoyment, habitat restoration, law enforcement, parking area construction, recreation permit administration, avalanche education, and search and rescue activities. The bill also allows for a reduction in the local distribution percentage if the funds exceed the unit's needs, with the balance then available for broader National Forest System use. The funds in this account cannot be used for wildfire suppression or land acquisition. This new funding mechanism is intended to supplement, not replace, existing appropriated funds for National Forest operations and maintenance.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/472/all-info