PARC Act

Key Points

• This bill, introduced in the Senate, would require every National Park that charges an entrance fee to accept cash from visitors. Currently, some parks have moved to 'cashless' systems that only take credit cards or digital payments.
• The change is designed to help people who do not have bank accounts, credit cards, or reliable smartphone access. It aims to ensure that all Americans can visit public lands regardless of how they choose to pay for their entry.
• Supporters of the bill argue that because U.S. cash is legal tender, government-run parks should not be allowed to turn it away. This addresses concerns that digital-only payment systems unfairly exclude certain families, seniors, and low-income travelers.
• If this bill becomes law, the Secretary of the Interior would be responsible for making sure every park unit follows the rule. This would apply to major sites like Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, as well as smaller national monuments that charge fees.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.