Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
- Committees
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 11, 2026
Bottom line
This bill allows the Forest Service to retain and directly utilize a significant portion of ski area permit fees for local and agency-wide administration, maintenance, and recreation-related activities, rather than depositing all funds into the general Treasury.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to establish a "Ski Area Fee Retention Account" in the Treasury. It mandates that ski area permit rental charges collected by the Forest Service be deposited into this account and made available for specific uses without further appropriation. The funds are primarily directed back to the collecting National Forest System unit for ski area program administration, visitor services, and infrastructure, with a smaller portion available for agency-wide use.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill provides a more efficient and direct funding mechanism for the Forest Service units that manage ski areas, enabling them to address critical operational needs, improve visitor services, and maintain infrastructure without relying solely on unpredictable annual appropriations. This local retention of funds can enhance responsiveness to local needs and improve the overall management of ski areas on public lands.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that retaining these fees outside the general appropriations process reduces Congressional oversight over federal spending and could lead to less accountability for how these funds are used. Some may also argue that all federal revenues should go to the general Treasury to be allocated based on broader national priorities, rather than being earmarked for specific programs.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a reader to understand its provisions and implications within a short timeframe.
Section 2, amending Section 701 of division I of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 497c) by adding subsection (k).
Creation and Management of Ski Area Fee Retention Account
This provision establishes a special account in the Treasury where ski area permit rental charges collected by the Forest Service will be deposited. These funds will be available to the Secretary of Agriculture without further appropriation for four fiscal years. The bill mandates that 80% of the funds collected from a specific National Forest System unit must be spent at that unit, with 75% for ski area program administration and 25% for visitor-related infrastructure. The remaining 20% can be used agency-wide. It also lists specific allowable expenditures, such as processing applications, staff training, visitor services, wildfire planning, facility repair, habitat restoration, and law enforcement, while explicitly prohibiting use for wildfire suppression or land acquisition.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that allowing local Forest Service units to retain a significant portion of the fees they collect from ski areas will enable more efficient and timely investment in critical infrastructure, visitor services, and administrative needs directly related to ski area management. This direct funding mechanism bypasses the often slow and uncertain annual appropriations process, leading to better-maintained facilities and improved responsiveness to local conditions and needs.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that this provision reduces the accountability of federal spending by removing a portion of revenue from the general appropriations process, where Congress has direct oversight. They may contend that it creates a dedicated funding stream that could lead to less scrutiny of how these specific funds are utilized compared to general appropriations.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the desire for local control and direct reinvestment of fees to improve specific public lands with the principle of centralized congressional oversight over federal revenues and expenditures. It aims to increase efficiency and responsiveness at the local level but potentially at the cost of broader budgetary flexibility and accountability.
The Secretary of Agriculture can reduce the 80% local distribution of funds to not less than 60% if the amount otherwise made available exceeds the reasonable needs of the covered unit for which expenditures may be made in the applicable fiscal year. The balance of these funds would then be available for expenditure at any other unit of the National Forest System, following the same 75/25 split for activity types.
Section 2, subsection (k)(4)(C)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to provide flexibility to the administering agency in cases where local needs are met, allowing for reallocation of funds to other units with greater needs. It's a practical measure to ensure efficient use of funds across the system.
Case for: Proponents argue this flexibility ensures funds are used efficiently across the National Forest System, preventing overfunding of one unit while others have unmet needs. It allows the Secretary to optimize resource allocation based on a comprehensive assessment of needs.
Case against: Critics might suggest this clause could undermine the primary intent of local retention, allowing funds to be diverted from the collecting unit even if local needs are still present but deemed 'unreasonable' by the Secretary. This could reduce the predictability of funding for local units.
Estimated impact: This provision provides a mechanism for reallocating potentially millions of dollars in ski area permit fees across the National Forest System, impacting which units receive funding for specific activities and how resources are distributed agency-wide.