Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2]
- Committees
- Agriculture Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 22, 2025
Bottom line
The bill seeks to generate additional revenue for national parks by imposing new surcharges on international tourists visiting these sites and purchasing recreational passes.
What it actually does
This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to impose a surcharge on entrance fees for international visitors to units of the National Park System and mandates a surcharge on the sale of National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to international visitors. The revenue generated from these surcharges is intended to support maintenance, visitor services, and staffing at national parks, or to be deposited into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that international visitors benefit from the infrastructure and services provided by U.S. national parks, and it is reasonable for them to contribute an additional amount to the upkeep and enhancement of these national treasures. They contend this will provide a much-needed, sustainable funding stream to address maintenance backlogs and improve visitor experiences without burdening domestic taxpayers.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that imposing additional surcharges on international visitors could deter tourism, potentially leading to a decrease in overall visitation and associated economic activity in gateway communities. They may also raise concerns about the administrative complexity of implementing and collecting these new fees, and the potential for negative international perception.
The bill is short and relatively straightforward, making it accessible for a quick read and evaluation by an informed citizen.
Section 2(a)
Entrance Fee Surcharge for International Visitors
This provision amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to allow (or require, upon superintendent request) national park units to charge an additional fee to international visitors on top of the standard entrance fee. The amount of this surcharge is determined by the park superintendent to maximize revenue while trying not to discourage international visitation. The funds collected from this specific surcharge will be retained by the individual park unit for its maintenance, visitor services, and staffing needs.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this surcharge is a fair way for international visitors, who enjoy and benefit from the parks, to contribute directly to their preservation and operational costs. They believe it will provide essential funding for parks that often face budget shortfalls, enhancing the visitor experience for everyone.
Critics contend
Critics may contend that this additional fee could make U.S. national parks less attractive compared to international alternatives, potentially reducing the overall number of international tourists. They might also argue that it adds an extra layer of complexity to fee collection and could be perceived as unwelcoming.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for increased revenue for national parks against the potential risk of deterring international tourism. It also navigates the administrative challenge of implementing a new fee structure that differentiates visitors based on immigration status.
Section 2(b)
Surcharge for International Visitors on Recreation Passes
This section mandates that the Secretary of the Interior establish a surcharge for international visitors who purchase a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Unlike the unit-specific entrance fee surcharge, the revenue generated from this pass surcharge will be deposited into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, a national fund dedicated to addressing deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs across federal lands.
The definition of 'international visitor' is tied to specific sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(B) and 8 U.S.C. 1187), which refer to nonimmigrant visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2 visas) and participants in the Visa Waiver Program.
Section 2(a)(3)(A)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for precision, ensuring the definition aligns with existing immigration law categories. It avoids ambiguity but requires legal knowledge to fully interpret.
Case for: Supporters argue that using precise legal definitions ensures the surcharge is applied consistently and legally to the intended demographic without inadvertently affecting other visitor categories.
Case against: Critics might argue that the reliance on complex legal citations makes the bill less transparent for the general public, who may not understand the specific visa categories being referenced.
Estimated impact: This definition directly determines the scope of individuals subject to the new surcharges, impacting millions of international tourists annually.
The bill establishes two distinct destinations for the collected surcharge funds: proceeds from the unit-specific entrance fee surcharge are retained by the collecting unit, while proceeds from the recreation pass surcharge are deposited into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.
Section 2(a)(3)(C) and Section 2(b)
Why it matters:This is likely a deliberate legislative choice to allocate funds based on the nature of the fee (unit-specific vs. national pass), but it could be missed by a casual reader expecting all new revenue to flow to a single destination.
Case for: Proponents would argue that this dual allocation strategy allows for both immediate, localized benefits to individual parks and broader, systemic investment in national land infrastructure, maximizing the impact of the new revenue.
Case against: Critics might argue that splitting the funds could complicate oversight and accountability, or that one destination might be prioritized over the other without clear justification, potentially diluting the intended impact.
Estimated impact: This distinction affects how potentially millions of dollars in new revenue will be distributed and utilized across the National Park System and other federal lands.