HR 4285 United States House · 119th Congress

STARS Act

The STARS Act designates September 17, 2026, as a free entrance day for all visitors at National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee. This policy change directly affects the general public visiting these sites on that specific date, providing free access to parks like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. The bill requires the National Park Service to implement this single-day policy to celebrate the U.S. semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), without altering permanent fee structures or creating new programs. It is a procedural measure focused solely on commemorating the anniversary through a one-time fee waiver.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

Dec 2025

House Passage

Dec 2025

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jul 2, 2025 Last action Dec 10, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 4 edits · Dec 9, 2025

MODERATE

The STARS Act was significantly expanded beyond its original narrow focus on National Park Service entrance fees. The engrossed version now requires fee waivers across five federal land management agencies (NPS, BLM, USFWS, Bureau of Reclamation, and Forest Service) and covers a broader category of fees called 'standard amenity recreation fees' in addition to entrance fees. This makes the September 17, 2026 free day apply to far more public lands and recreational sites nationwide.

SCOPE

The bill's scope expanded from only National Park Service sites to also include sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the Secretary of the Interior waive standard amenity recreation fees (not just entrance fees) at BLM, USFWS, and Bureau of Reclamation sites on September 17, 2026.

Added a new obligation for the Secretary of Agriculture to waive standard amenity recreation fees at Forest Service sites on September 17, 2026. This introduces a second cabinet-level agency into the bill's implementation.

DEFINITION

Added a definitions section that incorporates by reference the terms 'entrance fee' and 'standard amenity recreation fee' from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801), clarifying which specific fees are covered.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 10, 2025

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

upper

Dec 9, 2025

Introduced

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5074)

lower

Dec 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5074)

lower

Dec 9, 2025

Introduced

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Sep 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-294.

lower

Jul 23, 2025

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

lower

Jul 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jul 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged

lower

Jul 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Hearings Held

lower

Jul 9, 2025

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

lower

Jul 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

lower

Jul 2, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors