SB 118-60: Save Scenic Programs Act - Passed

[Pyro]

SB 112-35 is a 2022 law designed to cut federal programs termed by the sponsor of said law as ineffective or wasteful. Having researched these programs, I have written the above amendment. Three of the targeted programs, the Forestry Service International (Promotion of sustainable use of natural resources), Rails to Trails (Conservation and building of public trails), and Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants (Helping urban communities build outdoor recreation spaces) serve important functions and, as such, I see no reason to eliminate them.

The Scenic Turnout, Historic Covered Bridge, and Recreational Trails programs will still expire if, as written in my proposal, the SubD of Transportation can prove the benefits of each program are shared by all regardless of income status or tourism. This is to address the criticism made by the original sponsor of SB 112-35. If the SubD can prove the accusation false, the programs should remain active.

The remainder should be self-explanatory, such as the correction of Homeland Security Grant Program for 1-k, which serves to fix the program's title.

[Pyro]

It's not self-explanatory to me why the programs in (c), (i), and (j) should be arbitrarily extended by a year even though you seem to agree that they should be cut. Move them to a separate section if you want to tinker with everything else.

The date was extended as I was unsure of the timing/when this bill would be introduced.

[Pyro]

I propose the following amendment.

Save Scenic Programs Act

SENATE BILL

To retain useful federal programs

Be it enacted,

Section I: Reform

1. SB 112-35 Obsolete Programs Sunset Act shall be amended as follows:

1. Authorization for the following programs shall expire on January 1, 2025:

   a. Forestry Service International Programs, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Agriculture.

   a. b. The Agricultural Mediation Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Agriculture.
   i. Contract negotiations for farm workers shall be mediated through the National Labor Relations Board.

   d. The Rails to Trails Abandoned Railway Corridor Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Transportation.

   b. e. The Scenic Turnout and Overlook Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Transportation.
   i. Authorization shall not expire for this program if, before December 31st, 2024, the Subdepartment of Transportation submits to the President an approved analysis proving that the benefits of this program are shared among targeted communities regardless of income status or impact by the tourism sector.

   c. f. The National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Transportation.
   i. Authorization shall not expire for this program if, before December 31st, 2024, the Subdepartment of Transportation submits to the President an approved analysis proving that the benefits of this program are shared among targeted communities regardless of income status or impact by the tourism sector.

   d. g. National Scenic Byways Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Transportation.
   i. Authorization expiration shall not inhibit efforts by program administrators to convert the National Scenic Byways Program into a private, non-profit organization.

   e. h. The Recreational Trails Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Transportation.
   i. Authorization shall not expire for this program if, before December 31st, 2024, the Subdepartment of Transportation submits to the President an approved analysis proving that the benefits of this program are shared among targeted communities regardless of income status or impact by the tourism sector.

   l. The LWCF State Recreational Grant Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Interior.

2. Authorization for the following programs shall expire on January 1, 2024.

   a. All projects carried out by the Agricultural Transportation Services Division, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Agriculture.

   b. The FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Energy.

   c. The Natural Disaster Resilience Competition, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Homeland Security.

   d. The Homeland Security Natural Disaster Resilience Grant Program, currently administered by the Subdepartment of Homeland Security.

Section II: Implementation

1. This act takes effect immediately.

[Pyro]

Aye