Senators Tim Sheehy and Ben Ray Luján have introduced the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at granting free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to law enforcement officers and firefighters, including those who serve as wildland firefighters.
Currently, federal law allows members of the Armed Services and their families to receive free annual passes that cover entrance fees and day-use fees at various federally managed recreation areas. These include lands overseen by agencies such as the United States Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, law enforcement officers and firefighters are not eligible for these free passes unless they fall under specific categories like being a member of the Armed Services or a Gold Star family.
The new legislation seeks to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act so that law enforcement officers and firefighters nationwide can access these public lands without cost.
Senator Sheehy said, “Countless firefighters and law enforcement officials across our nation work day and night, year-round to keep our communities, national parks, and public lands safe for American families. It’s only right that we ensure these heroes can enjoy these treasured landscapes free of charge, and I’m proud to lead this commonsense, bipartisan bill in the Senate.”
Senator Luján added: “In New Mexico and across the country, our law enforcement officers and firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. I’m proud to partner with Senator Sheehy to introduce bipartisan legislation that would allow law enforcement officers and firefighters to enjoy National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands free of charge. Whether it’s visiting White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, or New Mexico’s vast Federal Recreational Lands, allowing these heroes to visit for free is a simple way for us to say: thank you.”
Additional co-sponsors in the Senate include Senators Cassidy (R-La.), Crapo (R-ID), and Risch (R-ID). The House companion version was introduced by Representative Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) earlier this year; it passed in July under suspension of House rules.
The proposed measure is designed so that those responsible for protecting recreational spaces will be able to enjoy them as well.
