The Ask
Explore the most recent language agreed upon by all CRT members and their legislative partners.
Members of the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) have worked with our legislative champions and their staff to maintain strong, bipartisan support for the RTP. Only through coordinated messaging and communication can these efforts continue to be effective. Currently, our groups and partners are focused on the following "asks" of our current and future legislative partners. Please share this information if you are interested in supporting our current efforts.
Bipartisan bill would update funding formula and provide at least $250 million to support recreational trails. Download the HR 1864 Bill Text now.
HR 1864 Introduced
WASHINGTON – Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.-At Large) and John Curtis (R-Utah-3) today reintroduced legislation that will more than double funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Since 1991, the RTP has provided funding to states to develop and maintain outdoor recreational trails, allowing millions of Americans and their families to enjoy activities such as hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and 4-wheel driving.
“Our nation has unparalleled natural beauty that provides year-round opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors,” said Rep. Welch. “The coronavirus pandemic has only increased Americans’ interest in getting outside to appreciate the recreational opportunities throughout the country. Boosting funding for this important program will ensure that future generations will experience the joy of hiking, riding, and exploring our scenic trails for many years to come.”
“The Recreational Trails Program has created countless opportunities for motorized recreation and human-powered experiences,” said Rep. Curtis. “This bill will ensure that future generations get to visit the great outdoors, while supporting local economies and jobs, especially throughout rural areas.”
“America’s large recreational trails community is grateful for the national leadership of U.S. Representatives Welch, Curtis and others to continue a great success story over the last 30 years – the Recreational Trails Program (RTP),” said Marianne Fowler and Derrick Crandall, Co-Chairs of the Coalition for Recreational Trails. “Every major trail organization supports expansion of RTP using federal fuel taxes generated through nonhighway recreational activities to deliver healthy, safe, diverse, and exciting trail opportunities and to empower a partnership of federal land managers, state and local park and recreation agencies and trail enthusiasts. The serendipity is that the RTP is also proving to be a potent economic stimulus, supplying a vital base for the nation’s nearly-$800 billion annual outdoor recreation industry.”
HR 1864 will more than double RTP funding to at least $250 million. The program is modeled after the Highway Trust Fund and is funded through taxes paid on gasoline used to fuel snowmobiles, ATVs, and other recreational vehicles that do not use highways. The program is currently funded at $84 million annually, which is substantially less than is collected in taxes on fuel used by these vehicles.
We recently introduced the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Full Funding Act of 2021, H.R. 1864, and invite you to join as a cosponsor of this important outdoor recreation bill.
The Recreational Trails Full Funding Act of 2021, designated as HR 1864:
- requires the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to estimate the amount of gas taxes paid by non-highway recreational users. Estimates suggest that those users pay more than $270 million each year.
- increases RTP funding to $250 million or the mandated new FHWA estimate, whichever is higher.
- Increases the transparency of the projects funded.
The legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Michael F.Q. San Nicolas (D-Guam-At Large), Michael Simpson (R-Idaho-2), Chris Stewart (R-Utah-2), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-2), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.-6), Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.-1), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.-10), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.-2), Richard Neal (D-Mass.-1), Steve Stivers (R-Ohio-15), and Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.-32).
Recreational Fuel Study Language Excerpted from S.2520 Report Language
Non-Highway Recreational Fuel Taxes. –In an effort to better inform the Federal-aid highway formula funding levels for the Recreational Trails Program, the Committee directs FHWA to determine the best available estimate of the total amount of non-highway recreational fuel taxes received by the Secretary of the Treasury and transferred to the Highway Trust Fund during the three previous fiscal years, as well as evaluate whether the current Recreational Trails Program funding level reflects the amount of non-highway recreational fuel taxes collected and transferred to the Highway Trust Fund. FHWA shall report on its finding to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 1 year of the date of enactment of this act. For this purpose, “non-highway recreational fuel taxes” means taxes under sections 4041 and 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to fuel used in vehicles on recreational trails or back country terrain.