HR 4937119th CongressIn Committee

EQUAL Parks Act

Introduced: Aug 8, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6] (D-Washington)

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Expanding Quality and Universal Access to Lands and Parks Act (EQUAL Parks Act) would codify the Presidential Memorandum issued on January 12, 2017, titled “Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters.” By giving that memorandum the force of law, federal land management agencies would be required to follow its diversity and inclusion directives as binding obligations. The bill itself does not lay out new programs or funding; instead, it elevates the existing memorandum’s policy to statutory status, meaning agencies would implement its goals as part of their official duties when managing national parks, forests, and other public lands and waters.

Key Points

1Short title: The act may be cited as the “Expanding Quality and Universal Access to Lands and Parks Act” or “EQUAL Parks Act.”
2Codification of the memorandum: The January 12, 2017 Presidential Memorandum on promoting diversity and inclusion shall have the force and effect of law.
3Scope: Applies to national parks, national forests, and other public lands and waters under federal management.
4Legislative status: Introduced in the House (H.R. 4937) and referred to multiple committees (Natural Resources; Agriculture; Transportation and Infrastructure; Science, Space, and Technology) for consideration.
5Funding and programs: The text provided does not create new funding or specific programs; it bindingly adopts the memorandum’s directives as law.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Federal land management agencies (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service) and their employees, contractors, and operational policies; visitors and users of public lands and waters.Secondary group/area affected: Communities historically underrepresented or underserved in access to public lands; partners and stakeholders involved in outreach, education, and interpretation programs.Additional impacts:- Potential changes in workforce diversity, accessibility initiatives, and inclusive programming aligned with the memorandum’s directives.- Possible requirements for outreach, partnerships, and inclusive visitor services.- Legal and administrative effects as the policy becomes enforceable law, influencing agency planning, reporting, and compliance activities.

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