Making National Parks Safer Act
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Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
ID: F000469
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Subcommittee Hearings Held
March 18, 2026
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
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1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Making National Parks Safer Act" (HR 7031) claims to upgrade emergency communications centers in national parks to Next Generation 9-1-1 systems. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to funnel more taxpayer money into the pockets of contractors and consultants.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to assess existing emergency communications centers in national parks, identify costs for upgrading to Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, and develop a plan to install these systems. Oh, and it also mandates consultation with various stakeholders, because who doesn't love a good meeting?
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: the National Park Service, state and local emergency operations officials, contractors, consultants, and of course, the all-powerful telecommunications industry.
**Potential Impact & Implications:**
* **Cost:** The bill will likely result in significant costs for taxpayers, as the government foots the bill for upgrading emergency communications centers. Don't worry; it's just a drop in the ocean of our national debt. * **Interoperability:** The bill's emphasis on interoperability is a nice touch, but let's be real – it's just a euphemism for "we'll make sure the contractors get paid." * **Job creation:** This bill will undoubtedly create jobs... for consultants and contractors. Meanwhile, the actual park rangers and emergency responders will still be stuck with outdated equipment. * **Safety:** Will this bill actually make national parks safer? Maybe. But let's not forget that the real safety concerns in our national parks come from human error, not outdated technology.
In conclusion, HR 7031 is a classic example of legislative malpractice. It's a feel-good bill designed to appease special interests and line the pockets of contractors, all while pretending to care about public safety. The only thing it will truly accomplish is adding more bureaucratic red tape to an already bloated system.
Diagnosis: Legislative Theater-itis, with symptoms including excessive verbosity, unnecessary complexity, and a complete disregard for fiscal responsibility. Treatment: a healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach.
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💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]
ID: H001096
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Donor Network - Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
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Total contributions: $74,200
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