HR-3186-115
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 680.
What it does
The bill would direct four federal departments — Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and the Army — to create the "Every Kid Outdoors" program. It would provide all fourth-grade students with free annual passes granting access to federal lands and waters open to the public. Each pass would cover the student and accompanying adults (up to three) at both per-vehicle and per-person fee areas. The program would also allow voluntary participation by state park systems and would require a publicly accessible informational website.
Who benefits
Fourth-grade students (approximately 3.6 million per year) and their families, who would gain free access to national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other federal lands. Adults accompanying eligible students (up to three per pass) would also receive free entry. Lower-income families who might otherwise be unable to afford entry fees would gain access they might not otherwise have. State park systems that opt in would benefit from increased youth visitation. Approved program partners and visitor-service providers near federal lands could see increased foot traffic.
Who is hurt
Federal agencies would forgo entry fee revenue currently collected at fee areas, which funds park maintenance and operations under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Existing fee-paying visitors would not be directly charged more, but reduced fee revenue could affect the funding available for park upkeep and services. Concessionaires or businesses near federal lands would not be directly harmed, though reduced agency budgets could affect the quality of visitor infrastructure they depend on.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that connecting children to public lands at a young age builds lasting appreciation for natural and cultural heritage that benefits conservation for generations. They contend that entry fees can be a meaningful barrier for lower-income families, and that this program would ensure all fourth graders — regardless of economic background — have equal access to lands that belong to every American. Supporters also note that the program is narrowly scoped, time-limited to one grade level, and voluntary for states, making it a low-cost, high-impact way to introduce millions of children annually to national parks, forests, and waterways. They point to evidence that early outdoor experiences correlate with lifelong stewardship of public lands.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that waiving entry fees for millions of students and their adult companions each year reduces revenue that federal agencies rely on to maintain trails, facilities, and visitor services — potentially degrading the experience for all visitors. They contend that if Congress wants to subsidize access for lower-income families, it should appropriate direct funding rather than creating a structural revenue gap for already underfunded agencies. Some argue the program duplicates existing fee-waiver programs and adds administrative complexity across four separate departments. Others raise concerns that increased visitation at sensitive natural areas, without corresponding funding for management, could accelerate environmental wear on ecosystems the program is meant to inspire children to value.