Us Congress Senate Bill SB1358

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/27/23
• Refer: 4/27/23

Caption

LAKES Act Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act

Impact

The proposed legislation would amend existing laws to enable local and non-Federal entities to retain up to 100% of the fees they collect. This shift allows for more localized control over operational funding, where entities could reallocate funds towards the development and maintenance of recreational facilities. The bill stipulates that fees collected should supplement, rather than replace, federal funding for these operations, which could lead to improved services and facilities in recreation areas, potentially boosting local economies.

Summary

SB1358, known as the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act (LAKES Act), introduces amendments to the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 and the Flood Control Act of 1968. The primary focus of this bill is to establish a framework for the collection and retention of user fees at recreational facilities managed by the Department of the Army. By allowing non-Federal public entities and private non-profit organizations to collect and retain these fees, the bill aims to improve the maintenance and management of recreation sites while ensuring these funds are directly used for local operations and enhancements.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SB1358 may arise from concerns regarding the implementation of user fees, as some stakeholders fear this could lead to inequities in access to recreational facilities if fees become prohibitive. Additionally, the oversight by the Secretary of the Army may raise questions about the extent of federal involvement versus local governance in managing and utilizing these funds. Local advocates may argue for more autonomy in decision-making processes to best address the specific needs of their communities.