118th Congress Public Lands and Natural Resources
S. 2018: Connect Our Parks Act
Passed Senate
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill requires the National Park Service (NPS) to assess locations within the National Park System with the greatest need for broadband internet or cellular service, and to develop a plan for the placement of broadband and cellular infrastructure in parks.
In assessing where broadband service is most needed, the NPS must consider the current availability of broadband in housing, lodging, administrative facilities, developed campgrounds, and other areas within each park. In assessing where cellular service is most needed, the NPS must consider locations where the availability of cellular service in a developed area of a park would increase public access to emergency services and traveler information or the communications capabilities of NPS employees. The NPS must complete the assessment within one year of the bill’s enactment.
Further, within three years of the bill's enactment, the NPS must develop a plan based on the results of the assessment to install broadband and cellular service infrastructure at locations within the National Park System. In developing the plan, the NPS must consult with affected tribes and local stakeholders.
Read the full summary
The plan must (1) be technology neutral; (2) provide for infrastructure to be located in previously developed areas or areas zoned for uses that would support infrastructure; and (3) avoid or minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources, the visitor experience, and park viewsheds. The plan must also provide for the use of public-private partnerships for the installation of equipment and provision of broadband or cellular service.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Cindy Hyde-Smith R-MSOriginal
- Angus King I-MEOriginal
- Cynthia Lummis R-WYOriginal
- Mike Lee R-UTOriginal
- Ron Wyden D-OR
- Ben Luján D-NM
Who scored on this bill
- 1John Barrasso SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed Senate4 events+56
- 2Cindy Hyde-SmithCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Angus KingCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Mike LeeCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Ben LujánCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by John Barrasso
- S. 2787: Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025
- S. 290: Making National Parks Safer Act
- S. 3199: 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026
- S. 472: Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act
- S. 1348: Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2023
- S. 1553: Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act
History
- Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.
- Introduced in the Senate by John Barrasso.
Show the full action history (11 actions)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Received in the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7145; text: CR S7148-7149)
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-154.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 306.
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-284.
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.