December 19, 2024 - Today, the EXPLORE Act passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent and now heads to the President's desk for signature and final enactment. This event marks the culmination of a decade-long effort spearheaded by outfitters to simplify and streamline the outdoor recreation permitting process. Operators on US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal land management agencies will all benefit from this new law.
"This is a momentous day. The dawn of better access to more affordable outdoor recreation experiences is upon us. Outfitters welcome improvements to the recreation permitting process that will now pass into law," said Aaron Bannon, America Outdoors' Executive Director." America Outdoors would like to express our sincere gratitude to the members of the House and Senate who advocated for this bill through to its final passage."
America Outdoors engaged extensively on Title III, Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation. Many of the revisions within will lead to more responsive permit administrators, more reasonable fees, and more flexibility under special recreation permits.
We would like to thank Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso, Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Grijalva, the many Senate and House co-sponsors of the SOAR Act, the tireless congressional committee staff, and the hundreds of organizations and associations who all united in support of this bill.