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United States · Law · S

S. 1693 (105th)

National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

27 February 1998

Last action

13 November 1998 · Became law

Status

Became Public Law No: 105-391.

Sponsors

Rep. Thomas, Craig [R-WY-At Large], Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY], Sen. Grams, Rod [R-MN], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Bennett, Robert F. [R-UT], Rep. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [D-CO-3]

Subjects

Environment, Taxation, Education, Budget

Source updated

24 March 2026

Environment · Taxation · Education · Budget

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Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Management Reform Title II: Procedures for Establishment of New National Parks Title III: Recreational Fee Demonstration Program Title IV: Concession Reform Title V: National Park Passport Program Title VI: National Parks Resource Inventory and Management Title VII: Designation of Tax Refunds and Contributions for the Benefit of the National Parks Title VIII: National Park Foundation Title IX: Commercial Filming in National Parks Title X: Capital Improvement Project Bond Demonstration Program Title XI: Miscellaneous Vision 2020 National Parks Restoration Act - Title I: Management Reform - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to continually improve the ability of the National Park System (NPS) to provide state-of-the-art protection and interpretation to NPS resources. (Sec. 103) Makes park rangers responsible for protecting, interpreting, managing, and educating the public about the natural and cultural resources contained within the national parks, as well as serving and protecting park visitors. Directs the Secretary to strengthen and enhance the park ranger occupation through the ranger careers program designed to enable rangers to meet the challenges confronting national parks in the future. Outlines provisions concerning program staffing, training, management and specialized positions, a design phase, educational requirements, the park ranger workforce, fitness standards, and a program operational phase. Requires regular reports from the Secretary to the Congress on the state of the program. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary, during 2000 and biennially thereafter, to implement a strategic management plan for the NPS, with a focus on functions performed at the national headquarters, regional offices, support offices, service centers, and national parks. Requires a report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees detailing actions implemented as a result of the plan. (Sec. 105) Requires the superintendent or manager of each NPS national park, central office, and support office to develop and make public a comprehensive annual budget for such park or office. Title II: Procedures for Establishment of New National Parks - Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a list of areas recommended for study for potential inclusion as new NPS units. Requires specific authorization by an Act of Congress before initiation of any such study. Outlines factors to be included in such studies, including whether the area possesses nationally significant natural, historic, or cultural resources, or outstanding recreation opportunities. Requires any such study to be completed within three years of its authorization. Directs the Secretary to submit to the appropriate committees a list of areas previously studied that contain primarily historical or cultural resources, or that contain natural resources, but that have not been added to the NPS. Title III: Recreational Fee Demonstration Program - Extends through FY 2005 NPS authority under the recreational fee demonstration program. Makes such authority available for all NPS units, except that no recreational admission fee may be charged at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Requires a report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees on the program's status. Title IV: Concession Reform - Calls upon the continued involvement of the private sector in the delivery of high-quality goods and services in the national parks. Establishes within NPS a Concession Board to: (1) assist the Secretary in the preparation and issuance of a solicitation for proposals for persons to serve as Concession Manager; (2) review and make recommendations on such Manager's decisions on the selection of concessionaires and other matters; (3) make recommendations regarding the allocation of collected concession fees; and (4) mediate disputes between concessionaires and the Manager or national park superintendents. Provides for Manager appointment and functions, including the negotiation of concession contracts. Outlines concession contract terms and conditions, including provisions concerning franchise fees, capital improvements, possessory interest payments, appraisals, leasehold surrender values, property rights as collateral, and prices for goods and services provided under such contracts. Allows concession contract transfer only with the Secretary's approval. Allows the Secretary to negotiate any individual concession contract with anticipated annual revenues of less than $2 million without the issuance of a prospectus or the solicitation of competitive bids. Sets forth provisions applicable to all other contracts, including provisions governing issuance of a prospectus for the solicitation of competitive bids, submission of a statement as to the concessionaire's financial capability and operational expertise, concessionaire selection, and contract termination. (Sec. 406) Requires all contract concession fees collected to be used first to pay consideration under the contract with the Manager for the fiscal year, with the remainder to be allocated to each national park, based on that park's relative share of fees collected, to fund high-priority resource management and visitor services programs and operations. (Sec. 407) Authorizes the Manager to suspend or terminate concession contracts. (Sec. 408) Outlines concessionaire recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Requires Comptroller General access to such information. (Sec. 409) Directs the Secretary to promote the sale of authentic Indian and Alaska Native handicrafts relating to the cultural, historical, and geographic characteristics of national park areas. Exempts revenue derived from such sales from any franchise fee payments. (Sec. 410) Makes a Federal provision which requires the lease of government property to be made for money consideration only inapplicable to leases, permits, and contracts granted by the Secretary for the use of NPS land and improvements to provide accommodations, facilities, and services for park visitors. (Sec. 411) Excludes a concession contract's award, extension, renewal, or amendment from provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Title V: National Park Passport Program - Directs the Secretary to establish a national park passport program which shall provide the passport holder with admission to all U.S. national parks. Includes under the program the issuance of collectible stamps. Makes such passports nontransferable. Outlines program administrative provisions and requirements, including provisions governing the sale of stamps and passports and the use of passport proceeds for NPS projects. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary to establish an international park passport program under which park passports and stamps are made available exclusively to foreign visitors to the United States. Terminates such program at the end of 2003 unless at least 200,000 permits are sold during that year. (Sec. 506) Authorizes appropriations for the park passport program. (Sec. 507) Sets at $50 the fee for a park passport and stamp. Title VI: National Parks Resource Inventory and Management - Directs the Secretary to undertake a program of scientific study by NPS employees and cooperators in each national park. Requires natural, cultural, and physical resources of each park, as well as contemporary park uses, to be studied under such program. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Chief Scientist within the NPS to: (1) coordinate all unit resource studies; and (2) exercise authority over all NPS persons conducting such studies. Requires a peer review process to ensure the validity and reliability of each study. (Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into long-term cooperative agreements with geographically dispersed colleges and universities to act as primary centers through which unit resource studies shall be conducted; and (2) undertake a program of inventory and monitoring of national park resources to establish baseline information and provide information on long-term trends in the conditions of national park resources. Requires appropriate workforce training to carry out NPS missions. (Sec. 606) Authorizes the Chief Scientist to solicit, receive, consider, and, when appropriate, approve requests for the use of any national park for purposes of scientific study. (Sec. 607) Requires, in each case in which a park resource may be adversely affected by an NPS action, the administrative record to reflect the manner in which unit resource studies and other studies have been considered. (Sec. 608) Provides for the confidentiality of information concerning the nature and location of a natural park resource that is endangered, threatened, rare, commercially valuable, or is an object of cultural patrimony within a national park. (Sec. 609) Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Designation of Tax Refunds and Contributions for the Benefit of the National Parks - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize an individual taxpayer to designate a specified portion (not less than $1) of any overpayment of tax and any cash contribution included with his or her tax return to be paid over to the National Parks Trust Fund to be established pursuant to this Act. Appropriates to the Fund amounts equivalent to those received under such designations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to specified congressional committees a study of the effects of the Fund. (Sec. 703) Authorizes the Secretary to use Fund amounts for the design, construction, rehabilitation, and repair of high priority park facilities that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. Prohibits the use of Fund amounts for land acquisition. Title VIII: National Park Foundation - Directs the National Park Foundation to: (1) design and implement a comprehensive program to assist and promote philanthropic support programs at the individual national park level; and (2) include information on the program's progress in a required annual report. Title IX: Commercial Filming in National Parks - Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an NPS office to perform functions required under this title. Prohibits a person from producing any part of a commercial (for-profit) recorded image in a national park without first obtaining a permit from the Secretary and paying a permit fee. Sets such fee at one-half of one percent of the production budget for the vehicle in which the image is to be included. Requires permit proceeds to be used for the preservation, restoration, operation, maintenance, and improvement of high-priority projects and programs in the park in which the fee is collected that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. Requires a report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees on the collection of such fees. Title X: Capital Improvement Project Bond Demonstration Program - Directs the Secretary to identify not more than four NPS capital improvement projects, totaling not more than $40 million, which shall be financed through obligations issued to the Secretary of the Treasury as part of a bond demonstration program established under this title. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations issued under the program if such Secretary finds that there is reasonable assurance of repayment of the obligations. (Sec. 1005) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Congress on the program. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Directs the Secretary to appoint a multidisciplinary task force to fully evaluate the shortfalls, needs, and requirements of the U.S. Park Police, including facility repair, rehabilitation, and communications needs. Requires a report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees on findings and recommendations. (Sec. 1102) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a lease with any person or governmental entity for the use of buildings and associated property administered by the Secretary as part of the NPS. Outlines lease requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a State or local government agency for the cooperative management of national park land and nearby State or local park land.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 27 February 1998

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 27 February 1998

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1160-1162)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 27 February 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 2 March 1998

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation.

    Source: Committee

  5. 1 April 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 30 April 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-579 PT.1.

    Source: Committee

  7. 7 May 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation. Hearings held on Titles VI, VII, VIII, and XI.

    Source: Committee

  8. 14 May 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation. Hearings held on titles IX and X. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-579 PT.2.

    Source: Committee

  9. 20 May 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  10. 5 June 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 397.

    Source: Calendars

  11. 5 June 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-202.

    Source: Committee

  12. 5 June 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-202.

    Source: Committee

  13. 11 June 1998

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6261-6268)

    Source: Floor

  14. 11 June 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  15. 15 June 1998

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  16. 15 June 1998

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  17. 15 June 1998

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  18. 18 June 1998

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.

    Source: Committee

  19. 23 June 1998

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  20. 23 June 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  21. 5 August 1998

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  22. 5 August 1998

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  23. 2 October 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 438.

    Source: Calendars

  24. 2 October 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-767.

    Source: Committee

  25. 2 October 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-767.

    Source: Committee

  26. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  27. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Vento objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

    Source: Floor

  28. 13 October 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  29. 13 October 1998

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  30. 13 October 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  31. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10678-10689, H10787)

    Source: Floor

  32. 13 October 1998

    Floor

    Mr. Hansen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  33. 14 October 1998

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

    Source: Floor

  34. 14 October 1998

    Passed

    Senate agreed to the House amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12494-12502)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  35. 14 October 1998

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12494-12502)

    Source: NotUsed

  36. 3 November 1998

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  37. 3 November 1998

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  38. 13 November 1998

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

  39. 13 November 1998

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 105-391.

    Source: President

  40. 13 November 1998

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

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Documents

20 official files

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