# Plain Language Summary: Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act

This bill gives law enforcement officers and firefighters free access to federal recreational lands and parks across the country. Currently, most people have to pay an annual fee (around $80) to get a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which allows unlimited entry to national parks, national forests, and other federal recreation areas. Under this bill, cops, state troopers, park rangers, and firefighters would get that same pass for free, just like active-duty military members and their families already do.

The bill defines who qualifies pretty broadly. A "law enforcement officer" includes anyone authorized to prevent, detect, or investigate crimes—so this covers federal agents, state police, local police officers, sheriff's deputies, and tribal law enforcement. A "firefighter" means anyone employed by the federal government, a state, local government, or Indian tribe whose job involves fighting fires, including wildland fires. So career firefighters, wildland firefighters, and federal fire personnel would all qualify.

The practical effect is straightforward: eligible officers and firefighters would save money on recreation fees and could visit national parks, forests, and other federal lands without paying entrance fees. Since many of these professionals work long, demanding hours and often live near public lands, this gives them easier access to outdoor recreation during their limited time off. The bill doesn't create any new costs for taxpayers beyond the lost revenue from these free passes, since it's simply expanding an existing program that already provides free passes to military personnel.

Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act

Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, at no cost, to a law enforcement officer or firefighter who provides adequate proof of eligibility.