Overview

Title

To amend title 54, United States Code, to provide that State law shall apply to the use of motor vehicles on roads within a System unit.

ELI5 AI

S. 4560 is a plan that says each state's rules about driving cars should be followed in national park areas, but using different rules in each place might confuse people and make it hard for everyone to follow them.

Summary AI

S. 4560 proposes an amendment to title 54 of the United States Code, allowing state law to govern the use of motor vehicles, including off-highway vehicles, on roads within System units, which are areas administered by the National Park Service. The bill defines "off-highway vehicles" according to the state's definition where the System unit is located, and a "road" as the main-traveled surface open to motor vehicles. Additionally, it makes it illegal to violate these applicable state laws within a System unit.

Published

2024-06-17
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-06-17
Package ID: BILLS-118s4560is

Keywords AI

state law motor vehicles national park service off-highway vehicles system unit federal lands law enforcement road definition legal compliance title 54 amendment

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
383
Pages:
2
Sentences:
11

Language

Nouns: 125
Verbs: 28
Adjectives: 8
Adverbs: 3
Numbers: 15
Entities: 25

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.89
Average Sentence Length:
34.82
Token Entropy:
4.49
Readability (ARI):
17.64

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The bill titled "S. 4560" proposes an amendment to title 54 of the United States Code, focusing on the regulation of motor vehicles within federal System units, such as national parks and similar areas. It seeks to delegate the authority of regulating the use of motor vehicles on these roads to the laws of the states in which the System units are located. Essentially, state laws, including those pertaining to off-highway vehicles, would govern these areas instead of federal regulations.

Significant Issues

One of the significant issues with this bill is the potential for inconsistency. By relying on individual state laws without establishing a federal standard, the bill may lead to varied enforcement practices across different System units. Since each state may define terms like "off-highway vehicle" differently, this could cause public confusion and complicate enforcement for both state and federal authorities.

Another issue arises from the ambiguity in defining what constitutes a "road." The bill specifies the "main-traveled surface of a roadway open to motor vehicles," but it does not clarify if this includes private roads within these federal areas. This could lead to uncertainty and possible legal disputes over what rules apply to different kinds of roads.

Lastly, there is no clear framework for how violations of these state laws will be managed within the federal context, leading to uncertainties about enforcement and penalties.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this bill could lead to confusion as people might face different rules for the use of motor vehicles in federal parks depending on the state. These varying regulations can complicate trip planning and result in inadvertent non-compliance, as travelers might be unaware of the specific laws applicable in each state.

There could also be safety concerns if states have less stringent vehicle regulations than what federal laws previously enforced, potentially putting road users at risk.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For state governments, this bill offers greater control and flexibility by allowing them to apply their regulations on federal lands within their borders. However, they may also face increased pressure to harmonize regulations across state lines to ensure consistency for drivers who travel through multiple state jurisdictions.

Federal agencies managing these lands, such as the National Park Service, might experience challenges in adapting to multiple sets of rules, complicating their enforcement responsibilities and potentially straining resources as they navigate this patchwork of state laws.

Environmental groups might view this decentralization as a potential threat to the uniform protection of natural and historical resources, as differing vehicle regulations could lead to inconsistent environmental impacts.

In sum, while the bill intends to streamline the regulation of motor vehicles by aligning them with state laws, it also introduces complexities and potential inconsistencies that both the public and specific stakeholders will need to address.

Issues

  • The reliance on state law without a clear federal standard might lead to inconsistencies in enforcement across different System units. These discrepancies could create confusion for both administrators and the public, potentially affecting legal compliance and enforcement within various federal lands. (Section 1.)

  • The bill specifies that the definition of 'off-highway vehicle' relies on respective state definitions, which might vary significantly, leading to inconsistent application and enforcement across different states and System units. This variance could lead to public confusion and complicate legal processes. (Section 101513.)

  • There is ambiguity in how the 'main-traveled surface of a roadway open to motor vehicles' is determined. Without clear federal guidelines, it may lead to varying interpretations of what constitutes a 'road,' resulting in confusion and inconsistent application of laws. (Section 1.)

  • The bill does not clarify whether private roads within System units are included under the definition of 'road,' potentially leading to ambiguity and legal disputes regarding the applicability of state motor vehicle laws to these roads. (Section 101513.)

  • The bill lacks a detailed framework for how violations of state law within System units will be enforced at the federal level or what penalties might be applicable, creating potential enforcement challenges and legal ambiguities. (Section 1.)

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. Application of State law applicable to the use of motor vehicles on roads within a System unit Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

This section of the bill states that state laws regarding the use of motor vehicles, including off-highway vehicles, apply to roads within a federal System unit. Violating these state laws on such roads is prohibited.

101513. State law Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

In this section, the use and regulation of motor vehicles, including off-highway vehicles, within certain areas are governed by the laws of the state where those areas are located. If someone breaks these state laws inside these areas, it is considered a violation.