Overview
Title
To promote and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans on Federal recreational lands and waters.
ELI5 AI
The MVP Act is like a plan to make parks and lakes nicer and easier for soldiers and veterans to use, by adding new paths, improving old ones, and making sure everyone, including those with disabilities, can enjoy them. It also encourages hiring veterans to help take care of these beautiful places.
Summary AI
H. R. 6342, known as the “Military and Veterans in Parks Act” or the “MVP Act,” aims to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans on federal lands and waters. The bill mandates assessments and improvements to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, creating new trails and facilities, and modifying existing ones. It also establishes Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaison positions and forms partnerships to promote recreational activities for military personnel and veterans. Additionally, the bill encourages hiring veterans for positions related to the management of these federal recreational lands.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
The bill titled "Military and Veterans in Parks Act" aims to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for U.S. Armed Forces members and veterans on federal recreational lands and waters. Introduced by members of the House on November 9, 2023, the bill proposes several measures to enhance accessibility and participation in outdoor activities for military personnel and veterans.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill intends to make outdoor recreation more accessible and enjoyable for military personnel and veterans by improving trail accessibility, developing new recreation opportunities, and promoting awareness of available resources. It seeks to achieve this by conducting comprehensive assessments of existing facilities, developing new accessible trails and recreation areas, and promoting partnerships between federal agencies and other entities. Additionally, it sets a strategy to encourage military members and veterans to visit federal lands more frequently by removing financial barriers and enhancing accessibility through infrastructure and technology.
Summary of Significant Issues
A notable issue within the bill is the lack of specified budgetary allocations, which could lead to funding shortages or unexpected expenditures, especially regarding the extensive development timelines and ambitious project scopes outlined in various sections. Another issue is the ambiguity in the roles and responsibilities across different federal departments, particularly due to the references to "Secretary concerned," which could complicate coordination and implementation efforts.
The extended timelines for conducting assessments and developing accessible trails—some as long as 7 years—could delay the intended improvements, thereby postponing potential benefits for veterans and individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, the absence of clear criteria for selecting partners and trails might lead to inconsistent implementation and possible favoritism in partnerships. There is also a lack of comprehensive accountability measures for partnerships formed to provide assistive technology or hold recreational events.
Potential Public Impact
Broadly, the bill could enhance public access to recreational spaces, particularly for historically underserved groups such as veterans and people with disabilities. As these improvements are implemented, the general public might benefit from improved trails and recreational facilities, leading to increased usage of federal lands, boosted public health outcomes through outdoor activities, and greater appreciation for national natural resources.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For veterans and active military personnel, the bill could have significant positive impacts by providing free access to recreational lands, enhanced trails designed for those with disabilities, and outdoor programs that could improve mental and physical health. If successfully funded and implemented, these initiatives could provide crucial support for transitioning veterans and active-duty members in need of therapeutic and recreational outlets.
Conversely, federal agencies may face challenges in implementing this bill due to potential budget constraints and the need for clear, effective interdepartmental communication. These agencies will have to navigate legal and logistical complexities to meet the bill's requirements without causing conflicts with existing recreational land uses.
Private contractors and nonprofits involved in the provision of assistive technology or recreational activity facilitation may see new opportunities but will need clear guidelines to ensure fair competition and appropriate allocation of resources.
In summary, the "Military and Veterans in Parks Act" offers substantial opportunities to enhance recreational opportunities for military and veteran communities while highlighting the need for careful planning and clarity to overcome potential implementation challenges. With clear guidelines, adequate funding, and effective interagency cooperation, the bill could lead to valuable recreational enhancements nationwide.
Issues
The bill has a significant gap in specifying budgetary allocations across multiple sections, particularly in Sections 101 (Accessible recreation inventory) and 105 (Accessible recreation opportunities), which could lead to funding shortages or unplanned spending on accessibility projects.
There is ambiguity in the term 'Secretary concerned' in Sections 102 and 105, given it spans multiple agencies (e.g., Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture). This could lead to coordination issues or misinterpretation by stakeholders.
The timeline provided for assessments and developments (e.g., 7 years for Section 101's accessible recreation inventory and Section 102's trail inventory) may be too lengthy, potentially delaying improvements and impacting intended benefits for veterans and disabled individuals.
Section 106 (Assistive technology) lacks clearly defined criteria for selecting partners and oversight measures, raising concerns about these partnerships leading to favoritism, inefficient resource use, or lack of accountability.
The definition of 'high-priority trails' is not clear in Section 102, which could create implementation challenges or biases in selecting which trails receive improvements.
Section 203 (Partnerships to promote military and veteran recreation) includes a broad definition of potential partners ('State, Tribal, local, or private entities'), which could lead to ambiguities or inconsistencies in eligible partnerships for promoting recreational activities.
The lack of detailed standards or benchmarks in Sections 101 and 102 for creating, updating, or replacing signage might lead to inconsistencies in communication about accessible facilities or trails across different regions.
Section 107 (Savings clause) references 'conflicting standards' without clear definitions, potentially leading to legal ambiguities when trying to align this bill's requirements with existing laws like the Architectural Barriers Act and Rehabilitation Act.
Section 206 (Career and volunteer opportunities for veterans) terminates the pilot program after 2 years, which could be insufficient time to assess its effectiveness and ensure smooth veteran transition opportunities.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states its short title, which can be referred to as the "Military and Veterans in Parks Act" or the "MVP Act".
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section defines several key terms used in the Act, including terms for accessibility like "accessible trail", various roles and titles like "Secretary" and "Secretary concerned", and specific group references such as "Gold Star Family member" and "veterans organization". It also clarifies definitions for regulations, agencies, and features relevant to federal recreational lands and assistive technology.
101. Accessible recreation inventory Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill directs that, within five years, a comprehensive review of outdoor recreation facilities on federal lands should be conducted to check their accessibility under the Architectural Barriers Act and the Rehabilitation Act. It also requires this information to be made available online, and within seven years, all related signage and public information should be updated to reflect accessibility standards.
102. Trail inventory Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section of the bill outlines that, within 7 years, the Secretary must evaluate high-priority trails on federal lands, measure specific features of these trails, and share the findings online. This includes working with various organizations, ensuring geographic diversity, and potentially using past data. It also emphasizes updating public information, assessing trail accessibility for people with disabilities, and highlighting the potential use of assistive technologies.
103. Trail pilot program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a trail pilot program where, within two years of the law's enactment, the responsible Secretary will partner with eligible entities to improve trails for people with disabilities by measuring high-priority trails, developing accessible trails, and making enhancements with input from relevant stakeholders. It mandates at least five projects, ensuring some are on lands managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the program will end seven years after the law is enacted.
104. Accessible trails Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the Secretary of relevant federal agencies to develop at least three new accessible trails in national forests, parks, and other federal lands, consulting stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with accessibility laws. It mandates the completion of these trails within seven years, with interim and final reports to be published, while minimizing conflicts with other existing trail uses.
105. Accessible recreation opportunities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Secretary of various federal agencies to create at least two new accessible recreation areas within a year on land they manage, such as national forests and parks. These areas must comply with accessibility laws, involve stakeholder input, and be completed within seven years, with detailed maps and reports published during the process.
106. Assistive technology Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Secretary responsible for implementing this part of the law can work with various government and private organizations to provide assistive technology on federal recreational lands and waters. This includes collaborating with existing services that offer equipment and guidance.
107. Savings clause Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section ensures that nothing in the title conflicts with existing standards set by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, meaning it doesn't create any new contradictions with these established laws.
201. Promotion of outdoor recreation for military servicemembers and veterans Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that within two years, the Secretary concerned, along with the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense, must create educational materials to inform military members and veterans about free access to federal recreational areas, the location of accessible trails, assistance with technology, and opportunities for outdoor programs and jobs related to national service. This aims to promote awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of outdoor recreation and provide guidance for engaging in outdoor-related activities and services.
202. Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons section mandates the creation of positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs and other relevant departments to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for veterans. These liaisons will implement recommendations to improve health and wellness by utilizing federal recreational lands and waters, address existing barriers, and coordinate with other agencies to promote innovative outdoor experiences for veterans.
203. Partnerships to promote military and veteran recreation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that the Secretary concerned is encouraged to form partnerships with various entities, such as State or private groups, to support recreational activities for military members and veterans. These partnerships can include events on federal lands and may involve providing financial or technical assistance to improve recreational opportunities or acquire necessary technology for these activities.
204. National strategy for military and veteran recreation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a plan to be developed by the Secretaries within one year to boost visits to federal recreational lands and waters by military members, veterans, and Gold Star Families. This plan should include specific goals, allow for public input, offer more recreation opportunities, detail cost expectations, and ensure equal treatment for noncommercial and commercial recreation, with updates required every five years.
205. Recreation resource advisory committees Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendments to Section 804(d) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act involve increasing the number of recreation resource advisory committee members from 11 to 12, adding veterans organizations to the list of represented groups, and reducing another group within the committee from eight to six members.
206. Career and volunteer opportunities for veterans Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill encourages hiring veterans for roles in managing federal lands and waters and establishes a pilot program that employs veterans in conservation and resource management positions within the Department of the Interior. It outlines the process for implementing the program, including briefings and reports to Congress, and specifies that the program will last for two years, while also encouraging active military members to join environmental stewardship activities.