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Congress·In Committee

National Parks: Cash Payment Requirement for Entrance Fees

PARC Act

12 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

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.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 13, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

PARC Act

Bill NumberS 1037
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(7)
R: 7

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.