Back to all bills
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The PARC Act (Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act) would amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that any unit of the National Park System that charges an entrance fee accepts cash as a form of payment for that fee. Specifically, it adds a new provision to Section 803(e) of FLREA, mandating cash acceptance for entrance fees. The bill clarifies the payment method option, aiming to guarantee access for visitors who rely on cash, while not necessarily excluding other payment methods that parks may also accept. The bill is introduced in the Senate (S. 1037) and has not yet become law.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The bill is named the Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act (PARC Act).
- 2Amendment to FLREA: Adds a new subsection (3) to 803(e) requiring cash acceptance for entrance fees at National Park System units.
- 3Scope: Applies to any unit of the National Park System at which an entrance fee is charged under FLREA.
- 4Payment method requirement: Parks must accept cash as a form of payment for entrance fees; other payment methods may also be available.
- 5Effective date: The text does not specify an effective date; enactment would place the requirement into law upon passage and signing.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected: Visitors to National Park System units who pay entrance fees, particularly those who rely on cash payments (including individuals without access to credit/debit cards or digital payment options).Secondary group/area affected: National Park Service operations, including cash handling, staffing, and security related to processing entrance fees and managing cash.Additional impacts: Potential changes in administrative processes and costs associated with cash management, training, and ensuring compliance across park units; potential implications for local reliance on cash-based transactions near parks.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 31, 2025