The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE Act) is designed to enhance outdoor recreation across the United States. It covers numerous areas, such as promoting recreational activities on federal lands, improving broadband connectivity, forming public-private partnerships, increasing accessibility for people with disabilities, encouraging military and veteran participation, boosting youth involvement in outdoor activities, streamlining recreation permits, and maintaining public lands.

The section provides definitions for various terms used in the Act, such as "Federal land management agency," which is defined by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act; "gateway community," referring to communities near popular recreational areas; and different roles like the "Secretary" and the "Secretary concerned," specifying their jurisdiction over land management.

Congress has stated that it is the U.S. Government's policy to promote and support recreation on federal lands and waters, as long as it aligns with the specific laws and requirements that apply to those areas, including rules about how the land is used and planned.

The section outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary concerned to perform an inventory and assessment of recreation resources on federal lands and waters, including recognizing unique recreation values and areas of concentrated use, and identifying and mapping recreation resources. It also requires assessments of the maintenance needs and development potential of these resources, while incorporating any existing research and planning efforts where feasible.

In this section of the bill, the establishment and roles of the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation are outlined. The Council will include representatives from various federal agencies and work on coordinating outdoor recreation activities, such as improving public access to federal lands, managing technologies, and enhancing recreation-related information.

The Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation is created to bring together representatives from various federal agencies, ensuring coordinated efforts on outdoor recreation issues. This Council will focus on improving recreation access, responding to emergencies affecting recreational areas, managing new technologies, and collaborating with state, local, and private partners to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.

The section states that each year, starting in 2025, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget must submit a report to Congress and make it publicly available online. This report will detail the total funds dedicated to outdoor recreation by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture in the previous year.

The law requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to identify and develop at least 10 existing and 10 potential long-distance bike trails, ensure public input, manage conflict with other land uses, and avoid using eminent domain. A long-distance bike trail must be at least 80 miles long, mostly use natural surface trails, and adhere to federal land management rules.

The section outlines that, within 18 months of the law's enactment, relevant authorities must create guidelines for recreational climbing on federal land, ensuring compliance with other laws. It specifies that climbing, including using fixed anchors, is allowed in wilderness areas if it follows applicable laws, provides guidance on the placement of fixed anchors, allows the continued use of existing climbing routes, and requires public input before finalizing these guidelines.

The section outlines the requirements and procedures for establishing target shooting ranges within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management districts, emphasizing site identification, safety features, and collaboration with various organizations. It mandates the construction or modification of shooting ranges to ensure public access before closing federal lands to recreational shooting and includes provisions for coordination, partnerships, and annual progress reports, while preserving existing administrative powers over additional ranges.

The section focuses on the restoration of overnight campsites within the Ouachita National Forest's Recreation Area. It outlines responsibilities for the Secretary of Agriculture, including identifying and establishing suitable campsites, ensuring certain amenities, and opening specific existing sites, as well as making day-use areas available to the public.

The section proposes changes to laws about filming and photography on federal lands, including national parks and other federally managed lands. It outlines when permits or fees are needed and sets certain conditions for filming to ensure activities do not harm resources or disturb other visitors, with specific rules for groups ranging from fewer than six people to more than eight, and it establishes de minimis use authorizations for small-scale projects.

The document outlines the regulations for filming and photography in national park units. It describes when permits are required, conditions under which filming can take place without permits or fees, and guidelines for protecting resources, such as ensuring activities do not disturb the environment or impede visitors' enjoyment.

The bill section outlines the rules for filming and taking photos on certain federal lands. It specifies when permits and fees are needed, the conditions under which small groups can film without permits, and the criteria for authorizations and fees. It also establishes guidelines to protect resources and ensure public enjoyment, as well as processes for handling permits.

The amendment to Section 104909(c) of title 54 in the United States Code changes the wording from just "meat from" an animal to include "meat and any other part of an animal" that is removed legally.

The section requires the Secretary in charge to provide public maps showing where vehicles can be used on federal lands, with deadlines set for these maps to be available and regularly updated. It also ensures that both motorized and nonmotorized access to these lands will be created and maintained, without changing any current lawful uses.

The section outlines the roles and responsibilities of federal agencies, Indian Tribes, and other partners in inspecting and decontaminating vessels to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species on federal lands and waters. It establishes a grant program for certain states to support these activities, specifies coordination requirements, and ensures that these inspections do not impede public access to recreation.

The section on gateway communities requires government collaboration with various stakeholders to identify and address issues such as housing shortages and infrastructure demands in areas near federal recreational lands. It allows for financial and technical support to these communities, including businesses, to improve infrastructure for tourism and sustainable visitation, and permits partnerships between public and private sectors.

The section introduces a system for collecting and reporting data on visits to federal recreational lands and waters, including a pilot program for real-time visitation data to help manage visitor flow. It also defines partnerships with communities and private sectors, while ensuring visitor privacy by not monitoring their movements or communications.

The Secretaries responsible for different land and water areas must collect detailed data on recreation activities to help make better decisions. Within a year of the bill's passage, they are required to set up test protocols in at least 10 locations to track less common recreation activities not effectively measured by current methods.

The section outlines a plan to improve broadband internet and cellular service in U.S. National Parks. The Secretary of the Interior will first assess where these services are most needed, and then, within three years, develop a plan to install the necessary infrastructure, while ensuring that it does not harm park views, resources, or visitor experiences. Public-private partnerships and consultations with Indian Tribes and local stakeholders will also be part of the process.

The section outlines a plan for the Secretary and the Chief of the Forest Service to work with the Secretary of Commerce to set up broadband internet at recreation sites on federal lands. They will identify top-priority sites with no broadband, estimate costs, and list any obstacles by considering places with geographic challenges or economic distress, focusing on areas with high visitation but low permanent residents.

The section allows the Secretary of the Interior to make agreements to manage communication sites on federal lands, involving activities like authorizing uses, planning, and training. Additionally, it clarifies that the Secretary of Agriculture has similar authority and requires an assessment of a plan where rental fees from these sites could fund further communication site activities.

The section amends the rules for leasing Forest Service administrative sites, allowing leases to include multiunit dwellings, changing who oversees certain lease decisions to the Chief of the Forest Service, specifying lease terms up to 100 years with conditions for reauthorization, altering payment handling, and extending the validity of certain provisions from 2023 to 2028.

The section updates a law allowing the Secretary to make cooperative management agreements with nearby local or tribal entities to improve the management of federal lands or waters. These agreements enable exchanging goods and services, sharing office spaces, and assigning employees between federal and local or tribal entities, all to achieve more efficient management.

The section allows the Secretary to enter cooperative agreements with eligible entities, like state and local governments or Indian Tribes, to manage nearby lands and waters alongside federal lands more effectively. The agreements can include sharing goods and services, co-locating offices, and assigning employees, with both sides benefiting from these collaborations.

The section establishes a pilot program allowing the U.S. government to partner with eligible entities, such as state governments, nonprofits, and private companies, to improve and maintain federally owned campgrounds, resorts, cabins, and visitor centers. These entities can make capital improvements and cover maintenance costs, sharing revenue with the government and ensuring all new structures become U.S. property at the end of the agreement.

The section mandates that the Secretaries work to increase and enhance parking and restroom facilities on Federal recreational lands and waters. This includes potential partnerships with non-Federal entities, such as State, Tribal, and local governments, and a requirement to report to Congress on restroom facility improvements and challenges within two years.

The section outlines a pilot program for "pay-for-performance" projects managed by the Secretary of Agriculture aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities on National Forest System land. These projects are financed through agreements involving various parties—like investors and local governments—with measurable outcomes assessed by an independent evaluator, and they end seven years after the law is enacted.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program is a grant program that helps eligible groups, like states, cities, and tribes, get funds to improve parks and outdoor spaces in certain urban and tribal areas. These grants, which require matching funds from the recipients, are used to buy land, improve existing recreational facilities, and create programs that benefit low-income communities, offer job opportunities, and enhance environmental quality.

The document describes changes to the American Battlefield Protection Program, which include updating definitions, expanding eligibility for grants to preserve and restore historical battlefields to more organizations like Tribes and nonprofit groups, and requiring regular updates to Congress on the condition and preservation activities related to these battlefields.

In this chapter, the term "Secretary" refers to the Secretary working through the American Battlefield Protection Program. The term "Battlefield Reports" includes the 1993 report on Civil War battlefields by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission and the 2007 report on Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites by the National Park Service.

The section requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress every two years on activities and changes related to battlefields, including preservation efforts, changes in their condition, and other relevant developments.

The section defines several terms: an "accessible trail" as a trail meeting specific accessibility guidelines; "assistive technology" as items or equipment that help people with disabilities enjoy outdoor activities; "Gold Star Family member" as defined by the Department of Defense; an "outdoor constructed feature" as explained in certain federal regulations; and a "veterans organization" as a service provider with outdoor experience that helps members of the military, veterans, or Gold Star Family members.

The section outlines a requirement for the Secretary to evaluate the accessibility of outdoor recreation facilities on federal lands within five years of the law's enactment. This includes assessing various facilities like campgrounds and picnic areas, updating public information on accessibility, and making this information easily accessible online.

The section requires the Secretary to do a thorough assessment of important trails on federal lands within 7 years, considering factors like trail width, slope, type, and length. It involves consulting stakeholders, ensuring geographic fairness, and updating public information, including accessibility details and possible use of assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities.

The Trail Pilot Program requires the Secretary to partner with eligible entities to improve and measure trails for people with disabilities within 2 years of the title’s enactment. The program involves selecting at least 5 locations and must include sites managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, running for a duration of 7 years.

The section outlines a plan requiring the development of at least three new accessible trails in various public lands administered by different federal agencies within a year. It includes guidelines for trail development, stakeholder consultation, and compliance with accessibility laws, and mandates the publication of maps and signage, minimization of conflicts with existing trail uses, and the preparation of interim and final reports within specified timeframes.

The section requires the Secretary concerned to establish at least two new accessible recreation opportunities in various federal lands within a year, and to ensure these opportunities comply with specific accessibility laws. The development must involve stakeholder consultation, minimize conflicts with existing land uses, and provide necessary maps and signage. Progress is tracked with an interim report after three years and a final report after seven years.

The section allows the Secretary to collaborate with other organizations, including government and private entities, to provide assistive technology on Federal recreational lands and waters. This means they can make agreements to ensure such technology is available to help people with disabilities enjoy these areas.

This section clarifies that nothing in the subtitle should be interpreted as setting up rules that conflict with existing laws like the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, along with the relevant Secretary, are tasked with creating educational materials to inform military members and veterans about free access to federal lands, locations of accessible trails, outdoor volunteer programs, health benefits of outdoor recreation, and related resources. This initiative will also highlight programs for veterans and service members, such as AmeriCorps and conservation corps, within two years of the legislation's enactment.

The section establishes the role of Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaison within various departments, who will coordinate outdoor recreation initiatives for veterans. These liaisons are tasked with implementing recommendations from a task force, addressing barriers to veterans' wellness through recreation, and promoting innovative outdoor recreation experiences on federal lands.

The Secretary is encouraged to form partnerships with various entities to organize outdoor recreation activities for military members and veterans, using federal lands and waters. The Secretary can provide support, including financial aid and technical assistance, to help plan these events and improve accessibility for participants.

The section requires the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation to create and release a plan to encourage more visits to federal recreational areas by military members, veterans, and Gold Star Families within a year of the law's enactment. The plan should include clear goals, opportunities for public input, cost estimates, and ensure no bias between commercial and noncommercial providers, with updates made every five years.

The Recreation Resource Advisory Committees section of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act was updated to increase the number of members from 11 to 12, expand the representation of veterans' organizations, and adjust the number of committee members from eight to six in a specific paragraph.

The section encourages hiring veterans for jobs related to managing federal recreational lands and waters and establishes a two-year pilot program with the Department of the Interior to employ veterans in conservation roles. It also defines "appropriate congressional committees" and suggests that active-duty military members be allowed to join environmental programs and outdoor activities.

The section outlines that within two years, a plan must be made by the Secretaries to increase youth visits to federally managed lands and waters, with a focus on underserved youth. This plan should set clear goals and cost estimates and be updated every five years, without favoring either commercial or noncommercial recreation facilitators.

The Every Kid Outdoors Act is being updated to allow the free passes for children to be valid for any 12-month period as decided by the authorities instead of a fixed annual cycle. Additionally, the program's expiration date is extended to September 30, 2031.

This section defines several terms related to recreational activities on federal lands. These include "commercial use authorization" for services in national parks, "multijurisdictional trip" involving multiple federal areas, "recreation service provider" and "special recreation permit" as defined by a federal act, and "visitor-use day" as a unit of measurement for activities under special permits.

The amendments to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act redefine terms related to special recreation permits, allowing federal agents to issue permits for specific recreational activities and events on public lands, while also setting up a structure for charging fees. The amendments clarify the types of activities requiring permits, detail how fees can be calculated, and ensure transparency about how collected fees are used.

The section aims to improve the process for getting special recreation permits by simplifying procedures, reducing costs, and allowing online applications. It also makes it easier for organized group activities or events to get permits by exempting them from some usage limits and potentially waiving fees, while still ensuring safety and environmental protection.

The section allows holders of special recreation permits to engage in similar recreational activities that have a comparable environmental impact, do not affect others, and comply with laws and plans. It also permits recreation service providers to surrender unused visitor-use days for possible reassignment, while clarifying that electric bicycle regulations remain unchanged.

The section outlines how permits for recreational activities in federal lands are handled. It requires the Secretary to publish available permits online, sends email notifications to potential applicants, and informs applicants within 60 days whether their application is acknowledged or a decision date is projected. This section does not apply to National Park Service concession contracts.

The text outlines the Service First Initiative, which allows the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to collaborate on projects and share resources to improve efficiency and customer service across their departments. Additionally, a pilot program is established to streamline obtaining special recreation permits for trips across multiple federal lands, maintaining authority with the respective departments for specific land management.

The section mandates that the Secretary should create a program within 180 days to issue temporary special recreation permits for new or additional recreational activities on federal lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. These permits last up to two years, and if operations are satisfactory, they may be converted to long-term permits without changing the existing authority under other recreation laws.

The section outlines the monitoring and review process for recreation service providers holding special recreation permits. It requires the responsible authorities to monitor these providers' compliance annually or as needed for temporary permits and every two years for long-term permits. It also specifies that visitor-use allocation reviews should occur every five years, considering surrendered or unused days under certain conditions.

The section describes how the number of visitor-use days is adjusted for recreation service providers holding special recreation permits. If a provider's performance is satisfactory, they may receive up to 125% of the visitor-use days they previously used, while unsatisfactory performance may lead to them receiving no more than 100% of their previous use. Additionally, unused visitor-use days can be temporarily assigned to other recreation providers or permit holders, and extra days can also be allocated if there is enough capacity.

In this section of the bill, it outlines the liability and insurance requirements for special recreation permits and commercial use authorizations on federal lands. It states that the permit holders might need to have liability insurance with the United States as an additional insured, but exceptions exist for low-risk activities and state entities that cannot indemnify due to state laws. Moreover, exculpatory agreements can be used by recreation service providers under specific conditions, and existing policies will need to be reviewed to ensure consistency across federal lands.

The section explains that the Secretary can charge a fee for processing, issuing, and monitoring special recreation permits to cover administrative costs. It includes provisions for a de minimis exemption, prorated fees for multiple applications, and a stipulation that programmatic environmental reviews aren't subject to these fees, while encouraging the use of existing studies to minimize costs.

The section outlines a program to make it easier for people to buy recreation passes for federal, state, and local parks in one transaction. It encourages coordination between federal, state, and county agencies and ensures that the revenue from passes goes to the appropriate agencies.

The section establishes a program encouraging Federal, State, and local government cooperation in selling outdoor recreation passes through a single transaction, including passes for national parks and state or local recreational sites. It allows for agreements to ensure that money from pass sales is appropriately distributed to the corresponding federal, state, or county agencies by the end of each fiscal year.

The section of the bill allows people to buy and use digital versions of the America the Beautiful Pass online, which grants access to national parks and federal recreational lands. It mandates that by January 1, 2026, these passes must be made available on mobile devices. Additionally, it permits online payment for entrance, amenity, and special recreation permit fees.

The section explains that the subtitle does not change the authority or responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to award contracts for services at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges or National Park System units, except for certain specified provisions that also apply to commercial use authorizations under the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998.

The section extends opportunities for recreation on federal lands by defining “seasonal closure” and encouraging coordination between various stakeholders, including businesses and local governments, to better understand visitor trends and impacts of closures. It allows for the extension of recreational seasons in a sustainable way, potentially increasing economic benefits for nearby communities, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and promoting agreements to share costs and accept in-kind contributions for extending recreational access.

The Volunteers in the National Forests and Public Lands Act allows the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to recruit volunteers for various projects like trail maintenance and education. It outlines that volunteers are not federal employees but are afforded certain protections like liability in tort claims, and their incidental expenses can be covered by the Secretaries.

The first section of this act specifies its official name, stating that it can be referred to as the "Volunteers in the National Forests and Public Lands Act."

The purpose of this Act is to use volunteers to help with projects led by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. These projects are funded by the government and aim to support the missions of these agencies.

In this section, the term "Secretaries" refers to the Secretary of Agriculture, who works with the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary of the Interior, who works with the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

The Secretaries have the power to recruit and involve volunteers, who work without pay, to help with various activities like building trails, maintaining facilities, or teaching in outdoor classrooms in areas they manage. They will also consider volunteers recommended by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Secretaries have the authority to cover various incidental costs, including travel, uniforms, accommodation, training, equipment, and food.

Volunteers working under this Act are generally not considered Federal employees, but they are treated as Federal employees when it comes to certain legal claims like injury compensation, property damage, and tort claims. The term "volunteer" also includes those who are trained and supported by cooperators under specific agreements, and these agreements outline roles, supervisor responsibilities, safety protocols, equipment use, training requirements, and any other necessary conditions.

The section requires the Secretaries to encourage and support volunteer opportunities in areas that they manage.

The Secretaries are not allowed to require cooperators or volunteers to have liability insurance when they are providing volunteer services as authorized by this Act.

Any mention of the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972 in U.S. laws, documents, or records now refers to the Volunteers in the National Forests and Public Land Act.

The Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation allows the U.S. government, through a "good neighbor agreement," to work with governors, Indian Tribes, or counties to enhance or improve recreation services on federal and other lands. The agreements permit the use of funds from timber sales for these projects, but environmental policy decisions must remain with the federal government, and the authority for some revenue aspects will expire on October 1, 2028.

If the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management does not require the public to have a permit to use a picnic area, they also cannot require a permit from people or small groups providing guiding services to fewer than 40 customers a year at those picnic areas.

In Section 353, an interagency report is required to be submitted within three years to Congress, detailing how special recreation permits are used by low-income or underserved rural and urban communities, including Indian Tribes. The report will also explore ways these communities engage with federal recreational lands, identify barriers they face, and offer recommendations to improve access.

The amendments to the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act involve changing terminology to refer to "recreation sites" instead of "public outdoor recreational use," updating regulations to use "regulated or closed" instead of "permanently restricted or prohibited," and requiring action from multiple Secretaries instead of just the Secretary of the Interior.

The law states that no extra federal money will be given to fulfill its requirements, and the activities it allows depend on the availability of funds already set aside for these purposes.