AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLE FAIRNESS ACT

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLE FAIRNESS ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2362-H2363] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLE FAIRNESS ACT Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4386) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America the Beautiful interagency pass, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4386 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act''. SEC. 2. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES. Section 805(a)(7) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6804(a)(7)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``The Secretaries shall issue guidelines'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--The Secretaries shall issue guidelines''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) Vehicles.--For purposes of this paragraph, where a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is used for access to Federal recreational lands and waters on a per- vehicle fee basis, such Pass shall cover the entrance fee and standard amenity recreation fee-- ``(i) for the passholder and any passengers accompanying the passholder in a single private, noncommercial vehicle; or ``(ii) if the passholder is entering by motorcyle-- ``(I) the passholder and any passengers on the motorcyle; and ``(II) one additional motorcycle, including passengers, accompanying the passholder.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas. General Leave Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4386, the bill now under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. {time} 1640 Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Chairman Walberg's America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, a commonsense bill that restores fairness and clarity for the millions of Americans who travel to our national parks and public lands every year by motorcycle. For years, annual entrance passes to our national parks allowed entry for one vehicle and its passengers or, for motorcycles, two bikes traveling together. This arrangement was practical, predictable, and reflected how riders actually experience our Federal lands. Yet in 2024, the Biden administration unilaterally reversed that longstanding policy and restricted coverage to just one motorcycle per pass. This placed unnecessary financial burdens on riders, discouraging motorcyclists from recreating on public lands, while offering no benefit to park operations. This change also hurt gateway communities, as motorcycle tourism is a key driver of many small, rural economies. Last year, President Trump and Secretary Burgum overturned this decision, restoring access to two motorcycles per entrance pass ahead of our Nation's 250th anniversary celebrations this year. This bill simply codifies that decision and restores what worked. By permanently codifying the traditional two-motorcycles-per-pass standard, the legislation ensures parity for motorcyclists and restores long-term affordable access to our Nation's most iconic landscapes. In doing so, this bill directly supports the goals of President Trump's executive orders on celebrating America's 250th birthday and making America beautiful again by improving our national parks. Keeping our parks welcoming and accessible while improving the visitor experience should be a goal that we all strive for. Mr. Speaker, I commend Chairman Walberg for his hard work on this America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, December 5, 2025. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 4386, ``To amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America the Beautiful interagency pass.'' Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction. The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you support such a request. We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 4386 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, December 5, 2025. Hon. Glenn Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write regarding H.R. 4386, ``To amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America the Beautiful interagency pass.'', which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on November 20, 2025. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 4386 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein. I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill and will include such letters in the committee report on H.R. 4386. 1 appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman. Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the America the Beautiful pass is an annual interagency pass that covers entry fees to over 2,000 recreational sites across the country. In 2024, an update to the pass program had the unintentional effect of reducing the number of motorcycle riders covered under a single pass from two motorcycles to one. H.R. 4386 reverses that unintended consequence and reestablishes a fair policy for motorcyclists, allowing one America the Beautiful pass to cover the entry for a second motorcycle and its guest. This bill corrects a bureaucratic error and improves public access to Federal recreation sites. I do have concerns that this administration is unnecessarily politicizing the America the Beautiful pass by putting an image of the President directly on the pass. Federal law requires a competition open to the public to determine the image used on the pass, which has traditionally showcased America's landscape or wildlife. These popular and nonpartisan passes should celebrate our shared natural and cultural heritage, not prop up political leaders. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan and co-chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, Representative Walberg, for his work on this legislation. [[Page H2363]] Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4386 and to support access to recreation on our public lands. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), the chairman and lead sponsor of this bill. Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding me the time and for his leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor. Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong motorcycle rider, it is a privilege to be here today and to speak in support of my legislation, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, which will ensure fair access to our Nation's national parks and public lands for motorcyclists. Historically, the America the Beautiful pass has permitted entry for one noncommercial passenger vehicle with multiple passengers, two motorcycles, or a group of bicyclists accompanying one passholder. However, in 2024, the Biden administration changed its policy, I believe, to unfairly restrict access for motorcycles to one bike per pass instead of two. Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Burgum have restored common sense, and in November, they announced the America the Beautiful pass would once again allow for entry for two bikes per pass. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we can ensure motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country have access to our Nation's national parks. These most magnificent places are testaments to America's greatness and the majestic landscapes that stretch across our great Nation. By restoring parity for motorcycle riders, we will expand access opportunities, strengthen local economies that depend on tourism as well, and allow our fellow Americans to explore our historic landmarks in the best way possible: on two wheels in the open air

Referenced legislation: HR4386, HR4386