Bill · H.R. 177· House(119-HR-177)
Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 9/10/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Sponsored by
- Tom McClintock
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, called the "Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act," aims to increase public access to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas for recreation. It increases the annual payment amount in the Act of December 19, 1913, and adjusts it for inflation. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to manage these areas for public use while preserving their scenic and historic features. It explicitly allows activities like swimming, camping, and picnicking. Additionally, the Secretary must report on whether original access intents were followed and how to fund the administration of these areas.
Yes· 3 of 27
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+7
The bill expands public recreational access and mandates better administration of the Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor areas.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
Provides more outdoor recreational access for active users.
Would people in middle age be better off under this?+5
Increases access to outdoor recreation and nature.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Recreational Opportunities: The bill allows for swimming, picnicking, camping, and the use of non-motorized watercraft in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas (SEC. 2 (a) (2) (b)).
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Improved Area Maintenance: The bill includes "wildfire mitigation activities" as part of improvements (SEC. 2 (a) (1) (C)) and requires an analysis of funding for trail maintenance, road improvements, and wildfire prevention and suppression (SEC. 2 (b) (2) (A)).
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Better Public Access: The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with administering the areas for "public recreation, benefit, and use" and enhancing the "public recreation capacity" of these areas (SEC. 2 (a) (2) (a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Burdens on the City of San Francisco: The bill increases the annual rental fee from "$30,000" to "$2,000,000" and requires this amount to be adjusted annually for inflation (SEC. 2 (a) (1) (A)).
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Potential Cost Increases for Utilities: The bill directs a report to consider mitigating costs by "adjusting the prices charged for water and power generated by the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power System" (SEC. 2 (b) (2) (B) (i)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Retirees+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Students+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Men+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Veterans+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Women+3Good For People With Disabilities+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+7Improves Environmental Protections+4Improves Roads And Bridges+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increases Federal Power+2
- 9/10/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
David ValadaoRepublican · California