ORR Praises Bipartisan House Action on Great American Outdoors Act 250

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) applauds the House Natural Resources Committee for holding a field hearing in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to consider the bipartisan Great American Outdoor Act 250. The legislation, introduced by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) and with 93 bipartisan original cosponsors, reauthorizes and strengthens the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), first passed as part of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) in 2020. 

“The Legacy Restoration Fund has already delivered transformative results for access to outdoor recreation, funding projects nationwide, and improving critical infrastructure across America’s public lands and waters. That’s why ORR and its members have worked hard with members of Congress and the Administration to advance these bipartisan policies,” said Jessica Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “From trails and campgrounds to marinas and visitor facilities, these investments have enhanced access, supported local economies, and improved the visitor experience.  Reauthorizing and strengthening the LRF now represents a generational opportunity to build on that success and ensure public lands and waters are equipped to meet a growing interest in outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of healthy, resilient, and sustainable economies and communities as we celebrate America’s 250th and for the next 250 years to come.” 

Hearing witnesses included ORR member Katherine Andrews, Director of Arkansas’ Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, as well as Kate MacGregor, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior; Chris French, Associate Chief, U.S. Forest Service; Kevin Costner, Actor/Director; Cole McCaskill, Interim President & CEO, The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Ward, Executive Council Member, The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. The hearing notice, memo, witness testimony, and full recording can be found on the Committee’s website here.  

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation is a $1.3 trillion economic powerhouse, supporting 5.2 million jobs and creating thriving economies and jobs in every state. Recreation on federal lands and water alone added $351 million to the U.S. economy every day. 

Business certainty and strategic, sustained access and infrastructure investment—particularly on the public lands and waters that underpin the entire outdoor economy—are critical to keeping momentum and ensuring long-term health and resilience for communities across the country. That is why ORR and its members spanning the entire outdoor recreation economy are pleased to support the bipartisan effort advancing in Congress to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund and sent a letter to the House Natural Resources Committee in support of the bill. 

Background:   

• The bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250 was introduced on June 10, 2026, by Chairman Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Huffman (D-CA). 
• ORR’s press release welcoming the introduction of GAOA250 and letter of support. 
• The recording and witness testimony from the House Natural Resources Committee field hearing  on June 12, 2026, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 
• ORR is particularly excited about the recreation pilot program and its impact on healthy communities, economies, and people, and the understanding that recreation infrastructure is core to our natural resource legacy, especially as we celebrate America’s 250th this year.
• ORR supports the America the Beautiful Act introduced by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA). The legislation has significant momentum in the Senate with 62 bipartisan cosponsors.