U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy is leading a bipartisan effort in the Senate to expand free access to national parks and federal recreation lands for law enforcement officers and firefighters, including wildland firefighters.
Sheehy, a Montana Republican, joined Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., in introducing the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act, legislation that would provide free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to first responders who help protect public lands and communities across the country.
“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,” Sheehy said. “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.”
If enacted, the bill would amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to make law enforcement officers and firefighters eligible for free annual passes that cover entrance fees and standard day-use fees at federally managed recreation areas. Those areas include lands overseen by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Under current law, free annual passes are available to members of the Armed Services and their dependents, as well as veterans and Gold Star family members. Law enforcement officers and firefighters are not eligible unless they also fall into one of those categories.
Luján said the legislation is a simple way to recognize the sacrifices made by first responders.
“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,” Luján said. “Allowing these heroes to visit our national parks and federal recreation lands for free is a meaningful way to say thank you.”
Sheehy and Luján were joined in introducing the legislation by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Jim Risch, R-Idaho. A companion bill in the U.S. House, introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., passed earlier this year under suspension of the rules.
Supporters say the legislation recognizes the unique role law enforcement officers and firefighters — particularly wildland firefighters — play in protecting the same public lands they would gain access to under the bill.