This bill records congressional findings about the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). It states that RTP pays for development and maintenance of trail infrastructure and serves many types of users, including hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, cross‑country skiers, snowmobilers, and off‑road motorized vehicle users. The bill notes RTP follows a user‑pay, user‑benefit model funded by a federal tax on nonhighway recreation fuel. It says RTP currently receives about $84,000,000 per year and that nonhighway recreation fuel taxes average $281,000,000 per year paid into the Highway Trust Fund.
The bill also says an accurate estimate of the total nonhighway fuel taxes collected should be provided to Congress by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at least one year before funding for Federal‑aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs is expected to expire. Finally, it states that the RTP should be carried out through funding made available under section 133(h) (the Transportation Alternatives program) without affecting other Federal highway programs.
As written, the measure presents findings and recommendations. It does not itself appropriate money or change current funding rules. It asks for an FHWA estimate of nonhighway fuel tax receipts and expresses that Congress should return those funds to the RTP through the Transportation Alternatives program. Any actual funding changes would require additional legislation.
No publicly available information on new spending or detailed budgetary effects. The bill text states the RTP currently receives about $84,000,000 per year and that nonhighway recreation fuel taxes average $281,000,000 per year.
Supporters say the RTP funds valuable trail infrastructure, benefits millions of diverse users, follows a user‑pay/user‑benefit model, and contributes to transportation, economic development, health, and public land access. They argue federal estimates are needed so taxes collected from nonhighway recreation are returned appropriately to states and that RTP funding should be routed through the Transportation Alternatives program without harming other highway programs.
No publicly available information.