S.1547 - America the Beautiful Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1547, the "America the Beautiful Act," proposes amendments to Title 54 of the United States Code, specifically reauthorizing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. The bill extends the fund's authorization through 2033 and increases the authorized funding amount to $2,000,000,000. It also modifies the use of funds, project prioritization, submission of project lists to Congress, and the acceptance of public donations.
The bill emphasizes prioritizing projects that receive donations and requires the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to provide information on donation opportunities. Additionally, it mandates the disposal of assets that no longer serve the public interest and requires a report to Congress on actions taken to reduce deferred maintenance and increase preventative maintenance activities.
The bill aims to enhance the management and preservation of national parks and public lands by providing additional funding and improving resource allocation.
Expected Effects
The passage of this bill would lead to increased funding for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, enabling more projects to address deferred maintenance and improve infrastructure. It would also incentivize public donations towards these projects through prioritization mechanisms. The bill would also lead to better management of assets and increased transparency through reporting requirements.
Furthermore, the bill could result in improved recreational experiences for visitors to national parks and public lands. It could also lead to better conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage sites. The emphasis on preventative maintenance could reduce long-term costs and ensure the sustainability of these assets.
Finally, the bill could stimulate economic activity in communities near national parks and public lands through increased tourism and job creation related to restoration projects.
Potential Benefits
- Increased funding for national parks and public lands, leading to improved infrastructure and conservation efforts.
- Incentivizes public donations, fostering a sense of community involvement and shared responsibility.
- Prioritization of projects based on donations, potentially leading to more efficient allocation of resources.
- Enhanced transparency and accountability through reporting requirements to Congress.
- Potential for economic stimulus in local communities through tourism and job creation.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased reliance on public donations could create disparities in project funding, favoring areas with greater philanthropic capacity.
- Disposal of assets may lead to the loss of potentially valuable historical or cultural resources.
- The prioritization of projects receiving donations could lead to some worthwhile projects being overlooked.
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative costs associated with managing the fund and reporting requirements.
- The bill's focus on deferred maintenance may divert resources from other important conservation or recreational initiatives.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States. The preservation and maintenance of national parks and public lands can be argued to contribute to the general welfare by providing recreational opportunities, protecting natural resources, and preserving cultural heritage.
Furthermore, the bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The provisions related to public donations and asset disposal do not raise any immediate constitutional concerns, provided that they are implemented in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
Overall, the bill seems to be within the scope of Congress's enumerated powers and does not violate any constitutional limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).