Legacy Restoration Fund Sign On Letter | FY26 Minibus Appropriations Bill Passes House
Major League Baseball Pitches In For America 250
The establishment of the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund under the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020 was a major win for tourism communities. The Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) provides dedicated funding to address the significant maintenance backlog at national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges and other public lands. Authorization for LRF expired in September 2025 but there is a bipartisan effort underway in Congress to extend the fund for another 5 years.
To kick off the year, the National Park Second Century Action Coalition has launched a sign on letter in support of extending LRF and are looking beyond the coalition membership to demonstrate broad public support for maintaining our national parks and other treasured public lands. Specifically they are looking for national and local organizations, businesses, cities, counties, and elected officials. Supporting the LRF is especially important for gateway communities.
A Google doc has been set up to provide the statement and for organizations, businesses, and community leaders to sign on. Every voice is needed but local voices from AK, ID, KS, MO, NE, OK, OH, SC, TN, WV, WY are targeted. You are welcome to share this with your elected officials and network.
Deadline for signing is COB on January 16. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Yesterday, on a strong bipartisan vote, the House passed the Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water, and Interior-Environment Appropriations Act, with a vote of 397 to 28. Known as the “minibus appropriation bill” the measure now goes to the Senate for consideration. This sets FY26 funding for several key federal partners, including the National Travel & Tourism Office (NTTO), the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, among others. I am also monitoring the Education and Transportation & Housing and Urban Development bills that fund key priorities for tourism communities. At this point, Congress is making good progress on funding the government before the expiration of the continuing resolution on January 30.
Yesterday, Major League Baseball announced it is pledging 250,000 volunteer hours as part of USA’s 250th anniversary celebration.