The bill
Making National Parks Safer Act
HR. 7031, 119th Congress — read as touching Telecommunications.
Sponsored by
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
ID: F000469
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 7031, 119th Congress — read as touching Telecommunications.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Subcommittee Hearings Held
March 17, 2026
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
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!
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.
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: H001096
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 37 nodes and 23 connections (41 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $74,200
Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.
Section 4(a) directs the Secretary to develop a plan to install Next Generation 9-1-1 systems in National Park System emergency communications centers, which involves upgrading telecommunications infrastructure and interoperability, benefiting telecommunications industry.
Section 4(b)(1) requires consultation with State and local emergency operations officials to ensure interoperability of Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, which may involve cybersecurity considerations for secure communications, potentially benefiting cybersecurity firms.