Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act
In Committee
Introduced:Jan 3, 2025
Primary Sponsor
H. Morgan Griffith
Representative
Republican
VA-9
Cosponsors
3
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Summary
This bill increases the rent San Francisco pays from 30,000 dollars to 2 million dollars annually for using Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite National Park. It also requires expanded public recreational access to the reservoir and surrounding areas.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill increases the rent San Francisco pays from 30,000 dollars to 2 million dollars annually for using Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite National Park. It also requires expanded public recreational access to the reservoir and surrounding areas.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act</strong></p><p>This bill modifies the Raker Act, which allowed San Francisco to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley within Yosemite National Park, to (1) increase the annual rent San Francisco pays to the National Park Service (NPS), and (2) direct the NPS to expand public access to the reservoir and lake created by the dam.</p><p>Specifically, the bill increases rent paid by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for the use of the park from $30,000 to $2 million per year. That amount must be adjusted annually to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The commission may not recoup such sums from wholesale water or power customers. The bill allows collected rent to be used by the Department of the Interior for wildfire mitigation activities in the park and other national parks in California.</p><p>The bill also requires the NPS to administer the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas for public recreation, benefit, and use in a manner that will preserve scenic, historic, scientific, or otherwise important features.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Increases Hetch Hetchy rent to 2 million dollars annually
Requires expanded public access to reservoir
Funds can be used for California wildfire mitigation
Adjusts rent for inflation annually
San Francisco cannot pass costs to water customers
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
San Francisco would pay significantly more for its water rights in Yosemite, with funds supporting wildfire prevention. The public would also gain better recreational access to Hetch Hetchy, a scenic area within the national park.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Related Subjects
California
Congressional oversight
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
177, 119th Congress (2025). "Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-177
