House passes bipartisan Curtis bills to bolster outdoor rec across nation

Four pieces of legislation led by U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) on Tuesday passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a larger package the congressman also supported that would expand access to America’s public lands and waters and increase outdoor recreation.

The House approved the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, H.R. 6492, cosponsored by Rep. Curtis. The bill includes four other bills introduced by the congressman: the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, H.R. 1527; the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, H.R. 1380; the Connect Our Parks Act, H.R. 5919; and the Biking On Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act, H.R. 1319.

“Passage of the EXPLORE Act is a testament to our collective commitment to enhancing and preserving access to America’s stunning public lands and waters,” Rep. Curtis said. “This legislation, particularly the inclusion of four of my bills … reflects our dedication to Utah’s majestic landscape. I’m proud to have contributed to this significant step forward in ensuring our kids and grandkids will be able to enjoy our state as much as I have.”

The SOAR Act, H.R. 1527, which Rep. Curtis sponsored in March 2023 alongside U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), would make outdoor recreation more accessible by streamlining the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Curtis’ staff.

The PARC Act, H.R. 1380, which Rep. Curtis also sponsored in March 2023 alongside Rep. Neguse, would ensure responsible access to rock climbing in designated wilderness, the summary says.

The Connect Our Parks Act, H.R. 5919, which Rep. Curtis sponsored in October 2023 with U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY), would direct each National Park to assess where broadband service is needed and develop a plan to increase access to internet and cellular service, states the summary.

The BOLT Act, H.R. 1319, which Rep. Curtis signed on to as the lead original cosponsor in March 2023 with bill sponsor Rep. Neguse, would expand outdoor recreation opportunities by identifying potential long-distance bike trails and expanding mapping resources for long-distance bikers, according to the summary.

The larger EXPLORE Act, H.R. 6492, seeks to improve access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands and waters in several ways, including by modernizing technology to improve visitor experiences; streamlining the permitting process and reducing burdensome fees for small businesses that depend on reliable access to public lands; and reducing park overcrowding by creating new and innovative models to encourage public recreation in less-traveled areas, among other provisions.

H.R. 6492, which has been endorsed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, was received for consideration in the U.S. Senate on April 10.