FLAP Reauthorization Act

FLAP Reauthorization Act – Plain English Summary

The FLAP Reauthorization Act would extend and continue funding for the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), a federal transportation program that helps build, repair, and maintain roads, bridges, trails, and other transportation infrastructure that connects local communities to federal public lands. These are the roads and pathways that people use to reach national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other federally managed lands across the country.

The program works as a partnership between the federal government and state or local transportation agencies, with the federal government providing the majority of the funding. Without reauthorization, this program's funding authority would expire, potentially halting ongoing and planned infrastructure projects near federal lands. By renewing the program, the bill aims to ensure that these transportation improvements can continue without interruption.

This bill would primarily affect rural and western communities that are located near large stretches of federal land, as well as the millions of Americans and tourists who travel to federal lands for recreation, work, or other purposes. Local governments and transportation agencies in those areas would benefit from continued access to federal dollars for road and infrastructure projects. Outdoor enthusiasts, local businesses that depend on tourism, and residents who rely on these roads for everyday travel would all be impacted.

As of now, the bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, which is the typical first step in the legislative process. No vote has yet been scheduled.