Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Reducing Waste in National Parks Act
A Democratic bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-238.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Reducing Waste in National Parks Act" aims to decrease the use of disposable plastic products within the National Park System. The Director of the National Park Service is tasked with establishing a program to reduce or eliminate the sale and distribution of these items. Regional directors are responsible for implementing this plan and developing visitor education strategies regarding water availability. The bill specifically targets items like water in plastic bottles, film plastic bags, and plastic food ware. Regional directors must also conduct evaluations of the program every two years. This process includes reviewing public response, visitor satisfaction, and safety concerns.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill directly improves environmental protection by reducing plastic pollution in national parks.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill enhances public land management by addressing plastic waste within the National Park System.
- Scored +5
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Reducing plastic waste helps reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the National Park system.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Concessioners operating within national parks may face decreased revenue due to the reduction in disposable plastic sales.
- Scored -3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill may negatively impact concessioners and cooperating associations by reducing their sales revenue from disposable plastic products.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Waste Reduction: The program aims to eliminate the sale and distribution of disposable plastic products to the greatest extent feasible, which reduces the amount of waste generated (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Visitor Education: The bill requires a proactive strategy to educate visitors so they can come prepared with their own water bottles (Section 2(b)(1)(I) and Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Safety Risks: There are potential safety considerations for visitors who might not carry enough water or might drink from surface water sources that could expose them to disease (Section 2(b)(1)(L)).
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Financial Impacts on Concessioners: The reduction of plastic products could affect the sales revenue of concessioners and cooperating associations (Section 2(b)(1)(G)).
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Operational and Infrastructure Costs: Implementation involves costs related to infrastructure, such as bottle refill stations, as well as operational costs like utilities and regular public health testing (Section 2(b)(1)(C) and Section 2(b)(1)(E)).
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Visitor Satisfaction: The requirement for biennial evaluations includes monitoring visitor satisfaction regarding water availability, implying that the change may impact how visitors experience the parks (Section 2(e)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill directly improves environmental protection by reducing plastic pollution in national parks. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill enhances public land management by addressing plastic waste within the National Park System. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Reducing plastic waste helps reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the National Park system.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Concessioners operating within national parks may face decreased revenue due to the reduction in disposable plastic sales.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill may negatively impact concessioners and cooperating associations by reducing their sales revenue from disposable plastic products.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases the authority of the National Park Service Director to regulate products within park units. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The requirement for biennial evaluations increases transparency regarding the program's impact and public response.
- 12/9/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-238.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/2/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts