Bill · S. 2896· Senate(119-S-2896)
STARS Act
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- John Boozman
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the "Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act" or the "STARS Act." It directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to waive certain fees on September 17, 2026. This is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Free admission would apply to units of the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System. Additionally, standard amenity recreation fees would be waived at sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service.
Yes· 3 of 29
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
Eliminating entrance and amenity fees removes a financial barrier to accessing public lands for low-income individuals.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+3
Reduces the cost of visiting national parks for a single day.
Would students be better off under this?+3
Students benefit from low-cost access to educational and recreational sites.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Free Access to National Parks and Wildlife Refuges: Visitors would not have to pay entrance fees to enter any unit of the National Park System or National Wildlife Refuge System on September 17, 2026, as stated in Section 2(b)(1)(A).
-
Waived Recreation Fees at BLM and Reclamation Sites: Visitors to sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the Bureau of Reclamation would not be charged standard amenity recreation fees on September 17, 2026, per Section 2(b)(1)(B).
-
Waived Recreation Fees at Forest Service Sites: Visitors to sites managed by the Forest Service would have standard amenity recreation fees waived on September 17, 2026, according to Section 2(b)(2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Students+3Good For African Americans+2Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Billionaires+2Good For Children+2Good For High Income Households+2Good For High Net Worth Individuals+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Immigrants+2Good For L G B T Q Community+2Good For Men+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Native Americans+2Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Retirees+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+2Good For Union Workers+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For Veterans+2Good For White Americans+2Good For Women+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For Business Owners+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Improves Small Business Support+1
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire