Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6492, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE) Act, in a significant move towards enhancing public land access and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. Introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the EXPLORE Act is a bipartisan package of recreation bills that aim to address barriers to access for veterans, people with disabilities, and underserved populations, streamline permitting processes for guides and outfitters, and support and enhance recreation opportunities on our public lands.
“We are thrilled to see Congress taking action to ensure each American has the opportunity to enjoy outdoor spaces in their own community, bolster economic growth, and advance mental and physical health benefits for all,” said Kent Ebersole, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “The outdoor recreation economy continues to soar to new levels, accounting for over $1 trillion in consumer spending and demonstrating participant growth for the eighth consecutive year. This is an important inflection point. We must modernize, preserve, and increase access to the public lands and waterways – regardless of where someone lives or works – and support more than five million employees who help drive our industry forward.”
The EXPLORE Act is a companion bill to S.873, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), which passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in May of 2023. AORA and EXPLORE represent the strong bicameral and bipartisan collaboration across chambers to advance policies supporting outdoor recreation. The passage of the EXPLORE Act through the House marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, improve public land access, and support economic growth in rural communities. As the legislation advances further, bipartisan collaboration and stakeholder engagement will be essential in realizing its potential benefits for individuals, businesses, and the environment.
