Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act cuts red tape for Arizona businesses and students
WASHINGTON — Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema joined a bipartisan group of senators in cosponsoring the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, which streamlines and improves the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups to enjoy Arizona’s public lands.
“Arizonans treasure our public lands, and outdoor recreation is a $21.2 billion industry in our state that supports more than 200,000 jobs. Our bill cuts red tape to support Arizona businesses and makes it easier for Arizonans to enjoy our public lands,” said Sinema.
The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, introduced by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), simplifies and improves the recreational permitting process for federal agencies. The bill reduces permit fees and cost recovery expenses for small businesses and organizations, helps control liability insurance costs for permit holders, reduces barriers to access for state universities, city recreation departments, and school districts, and increases flexibility for outfitters, guides and other outdoor leaders.
Arizona’s outdoor recreation is a $21.2 billion industry, producing $1.4 billion annually in state and local revenue. Many of the 201,000 Arizona jobs supported by the outdoor economy are in rural communities, where they often have significant economic impact.
Earlier this year, Sinema championed bipartisan public lands package that was successfully signed into law in March. The package included priorities Sinema led throughout her time in the U.S. House that protect Arizona’s public lands and create jobs across the state.