H. Rpt. 119-537 accompanies the "North Rim Restoration Act" — legislation that falls within the Natural Resources Committee's jurisdiction. Committee reports serve as the official legislative history of a bill, documenting what the legislation would do and why the committee recommends passage. Reports of this kind include the committee's section-by-section analysis, any amendments adopted during markup, the Congressional Budget Office cost estimate, dissenting views from minority members, and the legal basis for the legislation. Courts and agencies consult committee reports when interpreting enacted laws, making these documents important beyond the immediate legislative moment.
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House Report 119-537 - NORTH RIM RESTORATION ACT
[House Report 119-537]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 119-537
======================================================================
NORTH RIM RESTORATION ACT
----------------
March 2, 2026.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
----------------
Mr. Westerman, from the Committee on Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 5729]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 5729) to authorize direct emergency acquisition
flexibilities for the National Park Service for the purpose of
retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting contractor
approval for the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance, and
improvement of the Grand Canyon grounds that have been impacted
by the Dragon Bravo Fire, having considered the same, reports
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the
bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``North Rim Restoration Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Covered area.--The term ``covered area'' means the areas
within Grand Canyon National Park impacted by the Dragon Bravo
Fire.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park
Service.
SEC. 3. EMERGENCY CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any requirement for a Presidential
emergency or disaster declaration, the Secretary is authorized to use
the emergency acquisition flexibilities under part 18 of title 48, Code
of Federal Regulations (and any successor regulations), including the
increased micro-purchase thresholds, simplified acquisition thresholds,
and other higher-level emergency flexibilities, in contracting for the
following services within the covered area:
(1) Forest management or restoration activities carried out
in response to the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(2) Rebuilding, planning, development, and design of
structures affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(3) Improvements to the grounds and structures.
(4) Recovery efforts.
(5) Any activity listed in section 4(a).
(b) Process for Other Services.--Unless otherwise provided by law or
regulation, the authority granted under subsection (a) does not apply
to contracts for services other than those described in paragraphs (1)
through (4) of subsection (a).
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the Secretary begins to
use the authorization under subsection (a), and every 180 days
thereafter until the date that is 180 days after the date described in
subsection (e), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Natural
Resources and Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on
all expenditures related to the recovery efforts for the Dragon Bravo
Fire, including the following:
(1) The expected cost of recovery efforts.
(2) Cost expenditures.
(3) Cost overruns.
(4) Identification of contractors preforming the work
associated with the recovery from the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(5) Any affiliations or conflicts of interest between the
contractor and the contracting office at the Grand Canyon
National Park or the National Park Service.
(6) Any waste, fraud, or abuse detected during the recovery
efforts.
(7) Any contracts that came in under expected expenses.
(8) An estimated time of completion for all projects and full
recovery efforts related to the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(9) If an extension is needed for this authority to complete
projects associated with the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(d) Extension.--If, after the date of the enactment of this Act, a
new wildfire ignites within the covered area and impacts recovery
efforts related to the Dragon Bravo Fire, the Secretary may request a
12-month extension of the authority granted under subsection (a),
subject to congressional approval.
(e) Expiration.--The authority granted under subsection (a) shall
expire on the date that is the earlier of the following:
(1) 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The date on which projects and recovery efforts within
the covered area are completed, as determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 4. LIMITED SOLE-SOURCE PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title 41, United
States Code, or any other provision of law relating to the use of
competitive procedures for the procurement of services, supplies, or
construction materials and services, subject to a determination made by
the Secretary under subsection (b), the Secretary may enter into one or
more contracts, on a noncompetitive basis, for the planning, design,
repair, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, stabilization,
replacement, or operation of assets supporting the recovery and
reopening of the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, including--
(1) employee housing and related facilities;
(2) water, wastewater, power, communications, and other
utility systems;
(3) visitor-facing facilities and infrastructure, including
lodging, food service, retail, transportation, and associated
public-use facilities; and
(4) maintenance, administration, and other back-of-house
assets necessary for safe and continuous operation of North Rim
services.
(b) Determination Required.--The Secretary may utilize the authority
provided in subsection (a) if the Secretary determines, in writing,
that--
(1) the concessioner currently holding a valid concession
contract for operations at the North Rim of Grand Canyon
National Park on the date of enactment of this Act is uniquely
positioned to execute one or more procurement contracts
identified under subsection (a) due to the concessioner's
current operational responsibilities, site access, integration
with existing concession infrastructure, or continuity needs
essential to expedited North Rim recovery; and
(2) use of noncompetitive procedures under subsection (a)
with this concessioner is necessary to ensure public health and
safety, protection of park resources, or continuity of
essential services.
(c) Expiration.--The authority granted under subsection (a) shall
expire on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(d) Relationship to Existing Concession Contract.--Any procurement
action conducted or contract awarded under this section shall be
considered separate from, and shall not modify, amend, or extend the
duration of, or provide any leasehold surrender interest or other
benefit, under a concession contract issued under section 101913 of
title 54, United States Code, or related authorities.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
to--
(1) authorize the award of any concession contract or lease
without full compliance with applicable concession contracting
law; or
(2) prevent the Secretary from using competitive procedures
if the Secretary determines such procedures to be in the best
interest of the United States.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
The purpose of H.R. 5729 is to authorize direct emergency
acquisition flexibilities for the National Park Service for the
purpose of retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting
contractor approval for the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance,
and improvement of the Grand Canyon grounds that have been
impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The Dragon Bravo Fire was the largest wildfire in the
continental U.S. in 2025, scorching more than 145,000 acres
across northern Arizona in and around Grand Canyon National
Park.\1\ The blaze devastated forests, decimated wildlife
habitat, and destroyed more than 100 structures.\2\ This
included notable visitor facilities, such as the historic Grand
Canyon Lodge, an iconic landmark where generations of Americans
took in sweeping views of one of our nation's greatest natural
wonders.\3\ After the fire, only 15 percent of the lodge's
original structure remained standing, and the site contained
``hazardous debris, unstable walls, and significant structural
risks.''\4\ The nearby Cabin District also incurred
considerable losses, with all 64 Budget Cabins and 16 Western
Cabins left beyond repair.\5\ Such destruction caused a sharp
decline in tourism across the region, resulting in significant
revenue losses for gateway communities and park operations.\6\
Although the fire was fully contained by late September 2025,
the North Rim of the Grand Canyon remains partially closed to
visitors, as of early 2026, and faces an uncertain path to full
recovery.\7\ The loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and much of the
surrounding infrastructure--among the North Rim's main
attractions--created lasting uncertainties for small businesses
in the area that rely on the outdoor recreation and tourism
economy.\8\
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\1\``Dragon Bravo Fire--Incident Information,'' InciWeb, July 28,
2025 (daily update), https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/
azgcp-dragon-bravo-fire.
\2\Peter Valencia, ``106 buildings destroyed, hazmat sites found in
Dragon Bravo Fire aftermath,'' Arizona's Family, September 2, 2025,
https://www.azfamily.com/2025/09/02/report-106-buildings-destroyed-
hazmat-sites-found-dragon-bravo-fire-aftermath/.
\3\``Grand Canyon Lodge,'' U.S. Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, last updated November 14, 2025, https://
www.nps.gov/places/000/grand-canyon-lodge.htm.
\4\``Grand Canyon Lodge Demolition and Stabilization--Fall 2025,''
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, last updated
November 21, 2025, https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/grand-canyon-lodge-
demolition-and-stabilization-fall-2025.htm.
\5\Id.
\6\``Northern Arizona wildfires hurt tourism economy of Grand
Canyon area,'' KNAU (Arizona News), July 18, 2025, https://
www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2025-07-18/northern-
arizona-wildfires-hurt-tourism-economy-of-grand-canyon-area.
\7\``Status of the North Rim--Grand Canyon National Park'', U.S.
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, accessed October 7,
2025, https://www.nps.gov/grca/northrimstatus.htm. Scott Sistek,
``Grand Canyon fire leaves almost half of North Rim structures
destroyed or damaged,'' New York Post, September 2, 2025, https://
nypost.com/2025/09/02/us-news/grand-canyon-fire-leaves-almost-half-of-
north-rim-structures-destroyed-or-damaged/.
\8\Kennedy Hayes, ``Wildfire shuts down Grand Canyon's North Rim,
strangling tourism in Arizona-Utah towns,'' Fox Business, August 14,
2025, https://www.foxbusiness.com/small-business/wildfire-shuts-down-
grand-canyons-north-rim-strangling-tourism-arizona-utah-towns.
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H.R. 5729, introduced by Representative Elijah Crane (R-
AZ), would expedite infrastructure rebuilding and forest-
recovery efforts in the areas of Grand Canyon National Park
affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire. Specifically, the bill
authorizes the National Park Service (NPS) to use existing
direct emergency acquisition authorities to swiftly hire
qualified contractors and begin restoration work.\9\ This
includes forest management or restoration activities,
rebuilding and improving structures, and other recovery efforts
necessary to remediate fire damage. The bill also authorizes
the NPS to enter into noncompetitive contracts to construct,
repair, and replace assets supporting the recovery and
reopening of the North Rim. The bill grants this authority for
up to seven years and ensures transparency and accountability
by requiring NPS to submit semiannual progress reports to
Congress detailing the status of recovery efforts and the use
of federal funds. This commonsense legislation is essential to
preventing prolonged delays in rebuilding efforts and restoring
full access to one of America's most treasured and visited
landscapes.\10\ By expediting this recovery effort, H.R. 5729
supports the outdoor recreation economy, small businesses, and
visitors and residents alike throughout the Grand Canyon State.
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\9\48 CFR 18, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/chapter-1/
subchapter-C/part-18.
\10\``Visitation Statistics--Annual Visitation Statistics by
Year,'' U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, last
updated February 16, 2022, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/
highlights.htm.
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COMMITTEE ACTION
H.R. 5729 was introduced on October 10, 2025, by
Representative Elijah Crane (R-AZ). The bill was referred to
the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to
the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. On December 11, 2025, the
Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the bill. On
January 22, 2026, the Committee on Natural Resources met to
consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Federal Lands was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5729 by unanimous
consent. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) offered an Amendment
in the Nature of a Substitute designated Westerman_049 ANS. The
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was agreed to by
unanimous consent. The bill, as amended, was ordered favorably
reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.
HEARINGS
For the purposes of clause 3(c)(6) of House rule XIII, the
following hearing was used to develop or consider this measure:
hearing by the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held on December
11, 2025.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 names the legislation the ``North Rim Restoration
Act.''
Section 2. Definitions
Section 2 defines key terms in the legislation, including
``covered area'' and ``Secretary.''
Section 3. Emergency contracting authority
Section 3 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary) to use temporary emergency contracting authority to
fast-track only the following activities: forest management or
restoration activities, infrastructure rebuilding and
development, recovery efforts, and other activitiesauthorized
in Section 4 in areas impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire within Grand
Canyon National Park. The Secretary can utilize these authorities
irrespective of any requirements for a Presidential emergency or
disaster declaration.
Section 3 also requires detailed semiannual reports to
Congress on recovery costs, contractors, potential conflicts of
interest, and project progress. Section 3 stipulates that the
Secretary can request a 12-month extension of this authority if
a new wildfire ignites in the footprint of the Dragon Bravo
Fire burn scar.
The authority of this section terminates seven years after
the date of enactment of the bill or upon the completion of
recovery efforts, as determined by the Secretary, whichever
occurs earlier.
Section 4. Limited sole-source procurement authority
Section 4 authorizes the Secretary to enter into one or
more noncompetitive procurement contracts for the planning,
design, repair, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation,
stabilization, replacement, or operation of assets supporting
the reopening of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Specifically, this will apply to employee housing, utility
systems, public-use facilities, and maintenance and operational
infrastructure. Section 4 conditions use of this authority on a
written determination from the Secretary that (1) the current
contract holder is uniquely positioned to execute recovery
activities and (2) using noncompetitive procedures is necessary
to ensure public health and safety, protection of park
resources, or continuity of essential services.
Section 4 further clarifies that any procurement action
conducted or contract awarded under this section will be
considered separate from, and will not provide any leaseholder
surrender interest or other benefit to, any existing concession
contract. Section 4 also includes a savings clause stipulating
that this bill does not authorize the award of any contract
without adherence to applicable concession contracting law and
that nothing in the bill prevents the Secretary from using
competitive procedures.
Section 4's authority terminates seven years after the
bill's enactment.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET ACT
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of House rule XIII and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and pursuant to
clause 3(c)(3) of House rule XIII and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested
but not received from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office a budgetary analysis and a cost estimate of this bill.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to authorize direct emergency
acquisition flexibilities for the National Park Service for the
purpose of retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting
contractor approval for the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance,
and improvement of the Grand Canyon grounds that have been
impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
EARMARK STATEMENT
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT STATEMENT
An estimate of federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of
the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee, if such
estimate is not publicly available on the Congressional Budget
Office website.
EXISTING PROGRAMS
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW
Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the
U.S. Constitution.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
As ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources,
H.R. 5729 would make no changes in existing law.
[all]