National Park Centennial Act

The National Park Centennial Act (S. 886) proposes a new way to fund the maintenance and preservation of America’s national parks by establishing a dedicated National Park Centennial Fund. The bill would allow individual taxpayers to contribute to this fund directly through their federal income tax returns, either by donating a portion of their refund or adding a voluntary contribution.

For the average citizen, this legislation aims to address the long-standing maintenance backlog and improve the protection of natural and cultural resources within the parks. Additionally, the bill would expand educational opportunities by providing grants to schools for distance learning and on-site programs conducted in partnership with the National Park Service. The funds would be prioritized for parks that have completed comprehensive business plans to ensure the money is managed efficiently.