U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill that allows federal, state and local policymakers to better understand the economic impact outdoor recreation has to the American economy unanimously passed the U.S. Senate this evening.
This legislation would inform policymakers and business leaders on the jobs created, and the consumer spending driven by, the outdoor recreation economy.
“Montana is well-known for our world-class outdoor recreation that is critical to our state’s economy,” Daines stated. “This legislation will help us to better understand the economic impact of outdoor recreation and the good paying jobs it supports. I look forward to the President swiftly signing this bill into law to protect our outdoor economy.”
In April, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the Federal Recreation Council will work with the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis to assess the economic impact of the outdoor recreation industry. Before this announcement, the federal government had never measured outdoor recreation’s impact on the nation’s economy. This sector generates $5.8 billion in consumer spending each year and supports 64,000 jobs in Montana every year.
Daines’ legislation will ensure this assessment is codified. The Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act is supported by over 60 organizations and businesses, including the Outdoor Industry Association and the U.S. Travel Association.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed Daines’ bill on June 29, 2016.
The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
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