Today, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. 

"Access to America's beautiful public lands and waters is part of what makes our country the greatest nation on earth. These incredible resources should be shared by all Americans, and expanding access and recreation opportunities is the kind of bipartisan work that we’re here in Congress to do. As an avid outdoorsman, I'm proud to champion the EXPLORE Act and see it pass out of the House today. This seminal piece of legislation will modernize visitor experiences, increase accessibility for veterans and service members, create new opportunities and trails for climbers and bikers, and support small businesses and gateway communities that depend on access to our public lands. This legislation also includes key priorities for my constituents back home in Arkansas, including reopening overnight campgrounds, protecting battlefields, and creating new parking and restroom facilities. I'd like to thank Ranking Member Grijalva and the many other members on both sides of the aisle who have contributed to this bill. I look forward to working with Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso, who are leading companion legislation in the Senate, to see the EXPLORE Act move swiftly through the Senate and ultimately into law." - House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

“All Americans should have access to the unique recreational opportunities on our prized public lands, and I’m confident the EXPLORE Act will be a critical catalyst in realizing that goal. I’m especially heartened by the bill’s provisions to promote accessibility for the disability community, increase job opportunities for veterans, and close the nature gap in underserved urban communities. It’s critical that we build on this progress to support place-based conservation and restoration and further invest in land management agencies so we can sustainably manage our public lands for future generations. The EXPLORE Act combined with these efforts can help ensure that the outdoors is for all. I want to thank Chairman Westerman for his partnership on this important legislation.” - House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.)

Background

The EXPLORE Act is a wide-reaching piece of legislation that will improve the lives of outdoorsmen and women while expanding access to America's public lands and waters. It is supported by more than 100 outdoor organizations, including advocates for hunting, fishing, horseback riding, recreational boating, camping, rock climbing and more. 

The legislation will:

• Improve access to public lands and waters for outdoor recreation
• Modernize technology to improve visitor experiences, like increasing broadband connectivity and creating digital recreation passes
• Streamline the permitting process and reduce fees for small businesses that depend on public land access
• Protect rock climbing in iconic places and create new long-distance bike trails
• Restore campgrounds and modernize infrastructure
• Support gateway communities by addressing housing shortages and outdated infrastructure
• Improve accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities and kids