Washington, D.C. – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today unanimously passed S. 2104, the National Park Access Act; a bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Mark Udall (D-CO), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and John McCain (R-AZ) that would direct the National Park Service to reimburse states that provided funds to temporarily reopen national parks during the 2013 government shutdown.
The bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Lee (R-UT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Bob Corker (R-TN); and is supported by the National Parks Conservation Association.
“Senate action on behalf of Arizona and the other states that stepped up to ensure public access to national parks during the government shutdown is long overdue,” said Flake. “With the committee’s approval in hand, I urge Senate leadership to allow for the swift passage of this commonsense, bipartisan bill.”
Background: During the government shutdown in October 2013, six states – Arizona, Colorado, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah – advanced some $2 million to the National Park Service to temporarily reopen iconic national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty. Following the shutdown, Congress retroactively funded the Park Service, which has since retained the $2 million state contribution as a shutdown windfall.
On Feb. 3, 2014, Flake, Alexander and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Rhea Suh asking if she would support legislation to reimburse states that provided funds to temporarily reopen national parks during the shutdown. A copy of that letter can be viewed here.
On Feb. 4, 2014, Flake secured Suh’s commitment to support legislation for reimbursement during a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Video of Flake and Suh’s exchange can be viewed here.
On Feb. 7, 2014, Suh provided the Senate Energy and Natural Resouces Committee with a written statement of support for state reimbursement legislation. Suh’s statement for the record can be viewed here.
###