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house Bill H.R. 3186

Should 4th Graders & Their Families Get Free Entrance to Federal Lands?

Argument in favor

This bill would make it easier for children and their families to spend more time outdoors enjoying our beautiful federally-owned lands throughout the country.

Anne's Opinion
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09/13/2018
Yes and the sooner the better before they are all destroyed by Zinke and this greedy administration.
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Marc's Opinion
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09/13/2018
I don’t disagree with this, WHY DOES THERE HAVE TO BE LAW??
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burrkitty's Opinion
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09/13/2018
Why just fourth graders? I mean, sure, but why so weirdly specific? How about just kids and their families as well as seniors, active and retired military and all veterans?
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Argument opposed

While well-intended, this bill would cost the federal government funding they’d typically get from the entrance fee in to the national parks and federal lands.

DrCindyBean-ConcernedVoter's Opinion
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09/13/2018
Why 4th graders? Why not third graders? Fifth graders? This is an odd bill.
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Lynnie's Opinion
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09/13/2018
4th graders? I'm puzzled why this particular age level was singled out.
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Jennifer 's Opinion
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09/13/2018
Oh yes, I can see it now, Every Kid— which isn’t really, just a select grade level—along with their families, will all be on their cell phones enjoying nature. Joking aside, if they were to do this, why not just a yearly family day or week where all children get in free? This is as arbitrary as the original bill, but at least more fair to other age groups. But, in all honesty, with all of our problems, this is where this legislator puts her focus? I knew before looking, it had to be a Democrat.
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What is House Bill H.R. 3186?

This bill ― the Every Kid Outdoors Act— would provide America’s fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed land, waters, and historic sites, including national parks.

Additionally, the bill would encourage increased public/private partnerships between our federal lands, schools and private and nonprofit organizations. Since 2015, the Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. In doing so, the program leveraged over $2 million in private donations and volunteer hours, and created hundreds of partnerships with schools, non-profits, and private sector businesses to support outdoor education programming and recreation opportunities for underserved youth.

Impact

Fourth graders and their families; and federal land management agencies.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 3186

The CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3186 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.

More Information

In-Depth: Introduced by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the Every Kid Outdoors Act is aimed at encouraging kids to get outdoors and experience America’s public spaces, while engaging in healthy activity and educational programs.

“Our nation’s public lands protect, celebrate, and give access to the many places that have shaped and defined who we are as Americans. The Every Kid Outdoors Act will inspire a new and more diverse generation to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle, learn about our country’s natural and historic treasures, and fall in love with our public lands and the outdoors,” said Tsongas. “I thank my colleagues for their dedication to this effort and look forward to seeing more kids experiencing these special places.”

“Growing up in western Colorado, National Parks have been a big part of my life. They are the backdrop of countless memories and educational experiences for me and my family, and I want to make sure kids across the country have the opportunity to experience the wonder that is our National Park System,” said Rep. Tipton. “Public/private partnerships can go a long way towards providing our communities with exciting opportunities that otherwise may not have been possible, and I look forward to seeing how schools across the nation will use this program to open up new worlds for their students when the Every Kid Outdoors Act is signed into law.”

This legislation passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously and has the support of 54 cosponsors, including 51 Democrats and three Republicans. The bill is supported by the Outdoors Alliance For Kids (OAK), National Recreation and Park Association, Sierra Club, YMCA of the USA, The Wilderness Society, National Park Trust, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Wildlife Federation, Trust for Public Land, and the Outdoor Industry Association.


Media:

Summary by Lucas McConnell

(Photo Credit: iStock / Bill_Vorasate)

AKA

Every Kid Outdoors Act

Official Title

To establish an Every Kid Outdoors program, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • The house Passed September 12th, 2018
    Roll Call Vote 383 Yea / 2 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Agriculture
      Conservation and Forestry
      National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands
      Water, Oceans, and Wildlife
      Committee on Natural Resources
      Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
      Water Resources and Environment
    IntroducedJuly 11th, 2017
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    Anne's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/13/2018
    Yes and the sooner the better before they are all destroyed by Zinke and this greedy administration.
    Like (44)
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    DrCindyBean-ConcernedVoter's Opinion Against
    ···
    09/13/2018
    Why 4th graders? Why not third graders? Fifth graders? This is an odd bill.
    Like (79)
    Follow
    Share
    Lynnie's Opinion Against
    ···
    09/13/2018
    4th graders? I'm puzzled why this particular age level was singled out.
    Like (37)
    Follow
    Share
    Marc's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/13/2018
    I don’t disagree with this, WHY DOES THERE HAVE TO BE LAW??
    Like (27)
    Follow
    Share
    Jennifer 's Opinion Against
    ···
    09/13/2018
    Oh yes, I can see it now, Every Kid— which isn’t really, just a select grade level—along with their families, will all be on their cell phones enjoying nature. Joking aside, if they were to do this, why not just a yearly family day or week where all children get in free? This is as arbitrary as the original bill, but at least more fair to other age groups. But, in all honesty, with all of our problems, this is where this legislator puts her focus? I knew before looking, it had to be a Democrat.
    Like (17)
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    Mark 's Opinion In Favor
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    09/12/2018
    ...and Veterans!
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    Justin's Opinion Against
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    09/13/2018
    Veterans no matter active or discharged should have free access to all federal lands and parks due to serving this great country. By not giving that to them is a slap in their face!
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    burrkitty's Opinion In Favor
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    09/13/2018
    Why just fourth graders? I mean, sure, but why so weirdly specific? How about just kids and their families as well as seniors, active and retired military and all veterans?
    Like (12)
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    Grace's Opinion Against
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    09/13/2018
    Yes, only after your increase corporate taxes above where they were last year!
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    Dorothy g's Opinion In Favor
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    09/12/2018
    The best way to preserve the federal lands is to expose the population to the diverse uses and beauty of these lands. If 4th graders are given an opportunity to learn about and visit these lands with their families, than hopefully the school districts will develop the 4th grade curriculum with this in mind.
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    KyleCorley's Opinion In Favor
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    09/09/2018
    We need to promote the outdoors to kids to get them out of the house and in front of the T.V. They will learn more skills and abilities, and learn survival skills.
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    IllWill's Opinion In Favor
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    09/12/2018
    This is a great bill! Allowing children to experience the natural beauty of our federal lands is a great way to build in them an appreciation for our natural environment and an understanding of why we must preserve these lands for future generations.
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    Poli.Sci's Opinion Against
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    09/13/2018
    If this was a problem before, no one seemed to care because those who wanted to go and see the beauty of the Federal parks and historical sites all paid to see them. And if they don’t have to pay in, they can give donations. Either way, it should not be a free service to a portion of our citizens when we should all be contributing to the funding of these lands.
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    Leon's Opinion Against
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    09/12/2018
    The People own the parks. There should be no charges for any of us.
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    Azrael's Opinion Against
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    09/12/2018
    Seniors and veterans, yes Schools and their families, only if they are there to do public land cleanups
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    TheIndependent84's Opinion In Favor
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    09/13/2018
    Yeah sure why not? It's a great learning experience for the Child and it's great for low income families.
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    Christa's Opinion In Favor
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    09/13/2018
    This already was in effect until Zinke and his minions overturned it. Fourth grade is a fantastic time to get kids to the parks. They are old enough to appreciate their richness and diversity, and still young enough to have the open minds and enthusiasm that may help us save these lands from ourselves. The fees in these parks are going up and up and many people can not afford to get in. This help is a way to introduce a whole new demographic to what really makes this country great.
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    Marina's Public Comment
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    09/09/2018
    Why only 4th graders??
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    Flora's Opinion In Favor
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    09/13/2018
    These public spaces belong to the people; fees to enter them should be free or minimal.
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    James 's Public Comment
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    09/13/2018
    Huh? This is pandering to someone, so why single out this narrow group. I am shocked and disappointed with my representative’s vote for this bill that is ill conceived.
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