SJRES 30 · 119th Congress

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles".

off-road vehiclesnational parksGlen Canyonpublic lands regulationCongressional Review Act
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Last action 2025-03-04

Sponsored by Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT] (R) — UT

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This joint resolution would use the Congressional Review Act to overturn a National Park Service rule that limited off-road vehicle use in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and would bar the agency from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future.

What this bill would do

What it would do

The resolution would formally disapprove a National Park Service rule, published January 13, 2025, that restricted the use of off-highway vehicles and all-terrain vehicles in parts of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona and southeastern Utah. Under the Congressional Review Act procedure it invokes, if enacted the rule would have no force or effect, as though it had never taken effect.

Because it acts under the Congressional Review Act, the resolution does not itself write new motor vehicle rules for the recreation area; it only nullifies the specific rule named and prevents the National Park Service from reissuing a substantially similar rule without new statutory authority. It makes no other change to how Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is managed.

Key provisions

  1. 1Would disapprove the National Park Service rule on motor vehicle use published at 90 Fed. Reg. 2621, rendering it without force or effect.

Who would be affected

Visitors to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area who use off-highway vehicles and all-terrain vehicles, the National Park Service staff who manage the area, and residents of the surrounding parts of Arizona and Utah affected by motor vehicle access rules there.

Why it matters

If enacted, off-road vehicle users would regain the access that the January 2025 rule had restricted, while the National Park Service would lose its ability to reissue a similar restriction without new legal authority, affecting how the agency balances recreational access against land protection in the area.

What would change

Changes to existing law

Repeals Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles (National Park Service rule, 90 Fed. Reg. 2621)

Nullifies the rule limiting off-highway and all-terrain vehicle use in parts of the recreation area, giving it no force or effect.

Agencies directed to act

National Park Service

Legislative status & sources

Latest action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.

2025-03-04

Official CRS summary

Show the CRS summary

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the National Park Service titled Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles and published on January 13, 2025. The rule modified regulations concerning the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is located in northern Arizona and southeastern Utah. For example, the rule limited the use of off-road vehicles, such as off-highway vehicles and all-terrain vehicles, in certain areas.

From the Congressional Research Service.

Legislative subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures; Arizona; Department of the Interior; Land use and conservation; Motor vehicles; Parks, recreation areas, trails; Public Lands and Natural Resources; Utah

Congressional Bill

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SJRES 30: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles". | Legislation Reporter