National Parks to follow state vehicle rules, not federal conservation standards
S. 2969 — A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to provide that State law shall apply to the use of motor vehicles on roads within a System unit. · Filed by Mike Lee (R-UT) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Oct 3, 2025 · Hearing held
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill amends federal law to require that state motor-vehicle laws apply to roads within National Park System units. Instead of the National Park Service enforcing its own rules on vehicle use, state law—including state definitions of off-highway vehicles and state traffic regulations—will govern how people drive on park roads. Violations of state law on park roads become federal violations.
Why we flagged it
The bill transfers regulatory authority over vehicle use on federal park roads from the National Park Service to state governments. This is a federalism reallocation that narrows federal conservation authority and expands state control over activities on federally owned land.
What the text implies
- States with permissive off-highway vehicle laws may see increased OHV use on park roads, potentially accelerating erosion, wildlife disturbance, and resource damage in parks designed for conservation.
- NPS loses ability to enforce uniform vehicle standards across the National Park System; enforcement becomes fragmented by state law, complicating visitor compliance and park management.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
off-road vehicle manufacturers and dealers (in states with permissive OHV laws); recreational OHV user groups and outfitters