ROAM Act

HR 8603, the ROAM Act, creates a 4-year pilot program for a combined pass allowing entry to both federal parks (managed by agencies like the National Park Service) and participating state parks in the Southeastern U.S. for up to 12 months. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate agreements with states covering pricing, revenue sharing, and benefits, while ensuring agencies don’t lose money compared to current entry fees. The pilot must end after 4 years, with a mandatory report to Congress within 5 years evaluating whether to expand the program nationwide. This directly affects park visitors in the Southeast and the federal/state agencies managing recreation areas.