{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-capito-celebrate-final-passage-of-bipartisan-simplifying-outdoor-access-for-recreation-act", "Heinrich, Capito Celebrate Final Passage of Bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", "heinrich", "https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), celebrated the Senate\u2019s passage of their bipartisan Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, legislation to improve the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups to access public land. The legislation was included in the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, recreation legislation that already passed in the House and will now go to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cOur public lands are where we go to camp under the stars, chase elk, and fish for trout in mountain streams,\u201d said Heinrich. \u201cAs a former guide myself, I know from experience how paperwork and bureaucracy can get in the way of getting outside. I\u2019m proud that we have passed my bipartisan legislation to cut red tape to help small businesses and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy our public lands and continue growing economic development through outdoor recreation. We just made it easier for families, schools, and community groups to get outside and enjoy our public lands.\u201d\n\n\u201cMaking it easier to explore and enjoy the incredible beauty of our public lands is a key priority, especially at home in West Virginia,\u201d said Capito. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled our SOAR Act has passed as part of the EXPLORE Act and now heads to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law. Once officially law, it will reduce bureaucratic red tape and make commonsense changes to current permitting requirements that can discourage outfitters from utilizing our public lands and in turn, constrain economic development. These changes to federal public lands regulations will help support the outdoor recreation industry and benefit the local communities and economies that they serve.\u201d\n\nThe Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act streamlines and improves the recreational permitting process for federal agencies:\n\nThe Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act was supported by a wide range of organizations, including the Wilderness Society, American Mountain Guides Association, The Mountaineers, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, and the Outdoor Industry Association.\n\nThe bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Steven Daines (R-Mont.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "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.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/heinrich-capito-celebrate-final-passage-of-bipartisan-simplifying-outdoor-access-for-recreation-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0871689300984144, "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"}