RTP Full Funding Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
- Committees
- Environment and Public Works Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 27, 2025
Bottom line
The bill advocates for increased and more accurate funding for the Recreational Trails Program by formally stating Congressional findings about its importance and the existing discrepancy between collected nonhighway fuel taxes and allocated program funds.
What it actually does
This bill primarily expresses Congressional findings regarding the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). It highlights that the RTP funds valuable trail infrastructure, benefits diverse users, operates on a user-pay-user-benefit model, and is currently funded at approximately $84,000,000 annually, which is significantly less than the $281,000,000 collected from nonhighway recreation fuel taxes. The bill asserts that the RTP should be funded commensurate with these tax contributions and that an accurate estimate of nonhighway fuel taxes should be provided to Congress by the Federal Highway Administration.
Section 1
Short Title
This section establishes the official short title of the Act as the "RTP Full Funding Act of 2025." This title provides a concise and recognizable name for the legislation, clearly indicating its primary focus on the Recreational Trails Program and its funding.
Section 2(1)
Findings on the Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
This finding outlines several key aspects of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), stating that it funds valuable trail infrastructure across the United States and benefits millions of diverse users, including those participating in hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, and off-road vehicle use. It emphasizes that the RTP operates on a "user-pay-user-benefit" model, funded by federal fuel taxes from nonhighway recreation. The finding highlights a significant disparity, noting that while approximately $281,000,000 is collected annually from nonhighway recreation fuel taxes, the RTP only receives about $84,000,000. It concludes that the RTP contributes to national priorities and should be funded at a level commensurate with these tax contributions.
Section 2(2)
Requirement for Accurate Nonhighway Fuel Tax Estimates
This finding states that to ensure federal taxes collected from nonhighway recreation are appropriately returned to the states for the Recreational Trails Program, an accurate estimate of the total amount of nonhighway fuel taxes collected is necessary. It mandates that this estimate should be provided to Congress by the Federal Highway Administration at least one year before the anticipated expiration date of funding for federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs.
Section 2(3)
Recommended Funding Mechanism for RTP
This finding recommends that the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) should be carried out through funding made available under section 133(h) of title 23, United States Code, which is commonly known as the "Transportation Alternatives program." It explicitly states that this funding should be provided "without affecting other Federal highway programs," indicating a desire for dedicated and additional funding for RTP that does not detract from existing allocations for other highway initiatives.