Outfitter Policy Act of 1999

Summary

Outfitter Policy Act of 1999 - Prohibits unauthorized outfitters from conducting commercial outfitted activities on Federal land. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (with respect to Federal land administered by the Forest Service), and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Commissioner of Reclamation (with respect to Federal land administered by the BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, or Bureau of Reclamation, respectively), to establish criteria for awarding outfitter permits, including the identification of skilled, experienced, and financially capable persons to offer commercial outfitted activities. Sets forth procedures for awarding permits and describes permit requirements. Provides for a noncompetitive selection process and limited outfitter authorizations under certain conditions. (Sec. 7) Requires fees for outfitter authorizations. (Sec. 8) Requires authorized outfitters to defend and indemnify the United States for costs or expenses associated with injury, death, or damage to any person or property caused by negligence or wanton disregard for persons or property arising out of an outfitter's activities. Absolves outfitters of any liability to the United States or third parties absent a finding of negligence or disregard for persons or property or for injury, death, or damage resulting from the inherent risks of a commercial outfitted activity. (Sec. 9) Requires the appropriate Secretary to provide principal use allocations to authorized outfitters under permits. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust an allocation of use assigned to an authorized outfitter to reflect material change arising from approval of a change in the resource management plan for the area of operation or requirements arising under other law. Permits temporary allocations of use for a period of up to two years and the renewal, transfer, or extension of such allocations at the Secretary's discretion. (Sec. 10) Requires the Secretary to develop a process for annual evaluation of the performance of authorized outfitters. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to renew an authorization at the outfitter's request if the outfitter has received no more than one unsatisfactory annual performance rating during the permit term. Authorizes termination of a permit only if the outfitter: (1) fails to correct conditions that are considered significant with respect to the health and welfare of outfitted visitors or conservation of resources; (2) is repeatedly in arrears in the payment of fees; or (3) demonstrates disregard for the health and welfare of visitors or conservation of resources on which the outfitted activities are conducted. (Sec. 12) Makes outfitter permits transferable to qualified transferees under specified conditions. Deems a transfer approved if the Secretary fails to confer approval or disapproval within a prescribed time frame. (Sec. 13) Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for authorized outfitters. (Sec. 14) Requires the Secretary to: (1) grant authorized outfitters full access to administrative remedies under the Secretary's authority at the time of an appeal; and (2) establish an expedited procedure for consideration of appeals of Federal agency decisions to deny, suspend, fail to renew, or terminate a permit. Allows authorized outfitters adversely affected by a decision of the Secretary under this Act to commence civil actions. (Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to manage the occupancy and use of Federal land by institutional recreation programs that conduct outfitted activities under this Act. (Sec. 19) Entitles outfitters that hold existing permits, contracts, or other authorizations to issuance of permits under this Act if their recent performance was determined good, satisfactory, or acceptable, or the equivalent.

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Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 5 October 2000

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• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 5 October 2000

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 5 October 2000

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• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 18 November 1999

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• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 18 November 1999

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 18 November 1999

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