One Year of the EXPLORE Act, 250 Years of America

Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act becoming law and America's 250^th anniversary. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:

"One year ago, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act was signed into law to streamline recreational permitting, cut red tape, and expand access to our public lands. Since passage, federal land agencies, under President Trump's leadership, have worked to implement the EXPLORE Act and unleash the full potential of our $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy. I look forward to continuing oversight of its enactment going into our nation's 250th anniversary."

Background

In 2026, our nation's Semiquincentennial, more Americans than ever will explore the abundant opportunities our national parks and public lands provide to camp, hunt, fish, hike, rock climb, bike, paddle, horseback ride, and ski, among other activities.

Chairman Westerman's EXPLORE Act was comprehensive, bipartisan, and bicameral legislation that increased access to outdoor recreation opportunities and helped unleash the full potential of the $1.2-trillion outdoor recreation economy.

This first-of-its-kind legislation improved access and transformed outdoor recreation experiences for military servicemembers, veterans, Gold Star Families, individuals with disabilities, kids, sportsmen and women, and countless others across the nation.

By streamlining recreation permitting, cutting red tape for recreation service providers, and modernizing technology to improve visitor services, the EXPLORE Act continues to deliver wins for small businesses and rural, gateway economies.

Under President Trump, Interior Secretary Burgum, and Agriculture Secretary Rollins, federal land management agencies have already begun aggressively implementing the EXPLORE Act, optimally positioning our national parks and public lands for increased visitation during our nation's 250^th anniversary.