119th (2025–2027)
S. 2498
This bill gives the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, new flexibility in managing leases for properties within national parks. It allows the Secretary to extend existing leases without competitive bidding if the lessee has held the lease for at least five years, is complying with its terms, and the extension serves the park unit's best interests; however, the agency must first seek competing proposals from other qualified operators for at least 60 days and choose the better offer. For major redevelopment projects costing more than $100 million, the bill also allows the Secretary to enter into long-term leases of up to 99 years, a significant extension beyond current rules. Lease extensions longer than 10 years and new leases longer than 60 years require advance notice to Congress, and all extended leases are subject to a mid-term compliance review that can lead to termination if the lessee violates lease terms. This legislation primarily affects businesses and organizations operating concessions, lodges, or other facilities in national parks, as well as the National Park Service, which must update its regulations within 90 days of enactment to implement these changes.