EXPLORE Act passes in House with hopes to boost outdoor recreation, public lands access

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the EXPLORE Act, spearheaded by Representative John Curtis (R-UT). The package includes bills aimed at enhancing access to the nation’s public lands and waters. The legislation—comprising the SOAR Act, PARC Act, Connect Our Parks Act and BOLT Act—is poised to bring benefits to Utah’s scenic landscapes and hope to bolster the outdoor recreation economy and ensure the preservation of public lands for future generations. It will now move to the Senate for approval. Rep. Curtis expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Passage of the EXPLORE Act is a testament to our collective commitment to enhancing and preserving access to America’s stunning public lands and waters. I’m proud to have contributed to this significant step forward in ensuring our kids and grandkids will be able to enjoy our state as much as I have.”