S.472 - Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.472, the Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act, aims to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996. It proposes establishing a Ski Area Fee Retention Account within the Treasury. This account would retain ski area permit rental charges collected by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Expected Effects
The bill intends to allow the Forest Service to retain and reinvest fees collected from ski area permits. A significant portion of these funds would be directed back to the specific National Forest System units where the fees were generated. This would support improvements and administration related to ski areas and recreational activities.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced recreational facilities at ski areas.
- Improved visitor services and infrastructure in National Forests.
- Streamlined processing of ski area permits and improvement projects.
- Increased funding for wildfire preparedness and mitigation near ski areas.
- Support for local economies dependent on ski tourism.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for uneven distribution of funds, favoring ski areas over other National Forest needs.
- Possible administrative overhead in managing the Ski Area Fee Retention Account.
- Risk of funds being used for projects that primarily benefit private ski area operators rather than the general public.
- Limited impact on broader environmental or conservation goals.
- Could lead to a dependence on ski area revenue, potentially influencing land management decisions.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with Congress's power under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which grants the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The establishment of a fee retention account and the allocation of funds for specific purposes within the National Forest System fall under the purview of managing federal lands and resources. There are no apparent infringements on individual rights or liberties as defined by the Bill of Rights.
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).