{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom-news-releases-barrasso-reintroduces-bipartisan-bill-to-benefit-wyomings-outdoor-recreation-economy/", "Barrasso Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Benefit Wyoming\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Economy", "2023-03-20", "2023", "2023-03", "Republican", "Senate", "WY", "John Barrasso", "B001261", "www.barrasso.senate.gov", "barrasso", "https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), joined ENR Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) in introducing America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation will expand outdoor recreation opportunities in Wyoming and across America, while improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in rural communities.\n\n\u201cWyoming is home to some of the most incredible national parks and public lands in the country,\u201d said Barrasso. \u201cOur bipartisan bill will increase and improve outdoor recreation opportunities. It will modernize public campgrounds, establish shooting ranges on federal forests, and ensure increased access to public lands. America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act will benefit everyone who enjoys the outdoors in Wyoming and across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWyoming is proud of the world-class outdoor recreation opportunities we have for our citizens and visitors \u2013 they improve the quality of life in our state and enhance the economy. We applaud the work being done on this federal legislation to expand and enhance outdoor recreation through increased collaboration between state, local and federal land managers,\u201d said Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.\n\n\u201cWyoming has endless opportunities to recreate outdoors. The added use on Wyoming\u2019s public lands requires that we work collaboratively to educate recreationists on ways to reduce their impact, disperse them away from the busiest corners of our state, and concentrate them into landscapes that can withstand increased visitation. With increased coordination between the federal government and our state, we can leverage Wyoming\u2019s natural resources and stunning beauty to deliver unforgettable experiences for visitors while providing lasting benefits for our communities. Senator Barrasso\u2019s legislation will help us deliver on this mission for Wyoming and America\u2019s recreating public who visit our great State.\u201d said Darin Westby, director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.\n\n\u201cWyoming welcomes more than seven million visitors per year to experience the high quality outdoor recreation offered through our public lands,\u201d said Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism. \u201cWe support this legislation as it continues to promote accessibility and destination development throughout Wyoming.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy giving outfitters and public land agencies new tools and resources to improve access and the permitting process, we can all focus on what\u2019s really important: building people\u2019s connections with our greatest resource, the shared American landscape. America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act bolsters the outdoor recreation economy and opens the doors for outfitters new and old to provide ample and affordable guided opportunities to folks from all walks of life,\u201d said Aaron Bannon, Executive Director, America Outdoors Association and resident of Lander, Wyoming.\n\n\u201cThe members of the Wyoming Outfitter and Guides Association support and urge passage of America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act. Wyoming\u2019s outdoor recreation industries are a huge part of our state\u2019s economy and WYOGA whole heartedly supports the act,\u201d said the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association in a statement.\n\n\u201cThe Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation works to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage. Federal lands are an important resource for outdoor recreation, including hunting and target shooting, but an array of red tape and fees can limit people\u2019s recreational opportunities and access. America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act brings common-sense solutions to the regulatory and informational barriers that many of our members have experienced. These include establishing shooting ranges so hunters have safe places to practice, identifying where and when vehicles can be used on forest roads, utilizing all the parts of animals taken from cull hunts within parks, allowing hunters to document and share their experiences on video, and streamlining outfitting and guiding permits. Passage of America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act will be a benefit for all outdoors enthusiasts,\u201d said Blake Henning, Chief Conservation Officer, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.\n\nRead a summary of the Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023 here.\n\nBackground Information:\n\nOn May 3, 2022, ENR unanimously advanced America\u2019s Outdoor Recreation Act out of committee. This first-of-its-kind comprehensive recreation package includes a host recreation legislative priorities, including the three bills mentioned below. It is supported by\n\nnumerous outdoor recreation associations, agencies, and enthusiasts.\n\nOn November 18, 2021, Barrasso and Manchin introduced the Outdoor Recreation Act. Among others, Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, and Southwest Wyoming Off-Road Trails support it.\n\nOn September 29, 2021, Barrasso introduced the CAPE Act. This bill provides discretion to the National Park Service to donate the cape, hide, horn, and antlers obtained from non-native species during wildlife management activities to volunteers or others authorized by the park service. It has been endorsed by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Wild Sheep Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.\n\nOn May 13, 2021, Barrasso introduced the FILM Act. This legislation will modernize film permitting on public lands to keep pace with changing technology and social media. It eliminates an unconstitutional permitting scheme that currently requires permits and fees for some types of filming and photography content, but not others. With passage of the FILM Act, outdoorsmen and women will be able to share their adventures without having to deal with burdensome red tape. The Wyoming Office of Tourism supports this bill, among others.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T17:54:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom-news-releases-barrasso-reintroduces-bipartisan-bill-to-benefit-wyomings-outdoor-recreation-economy/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9829271584749222, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}