Bill to charge foreigners more at National Parks

[SAJ-99]

Not good or bad or right or wrong, but I found this funny. I will say that they found the right guys to propose this bill. Montana has been screwing NRs for years so it only makes sense to get them involved. LOL

Zinke, Sheehy, Moore, Banks Introduce Legislation to Implement Fees on Foreign Tourists to Rebuild National Parks

Washington, D.C. — Today, Western Montana Congressman and former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (MT-01), with Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Representative Riley Moore (WV-02), and Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the bicameral Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas...

zinke.house.gov

 

[Hammsolo]

I haven’t read it yet, because I’m feeling lazy. However, it would make sense to charge them more. We, the federal tax payer, fund the Parks. Why wouldn’t there be a non-resident fee?

 

[Hem]

Toll booth at the state border works for me.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Not good or bad or right or wrong, but I found this funny. I will say that they found the right guys to propose this bill. Montana has been screwing NRs for years so it only makes sense to get them involved. LOL

Zinke, Sheehy, Moore, Banks Introduce Legislation to Implement Fees on Foreign Tourists to Rebuild National Parks

Washington, D.C. — Today, Western Montana Congressman and former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (MT-01), with Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Representative Riley Moore (WV-02), and Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the bicameral Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas...

zinke.house.gov

Ultimately many other countries do the same. But I didn't see it answered in the text (didn't read it all either, too much political bs talk... ) but it's this going to apply for anyone not a US citizen? What about people that do pay federal tax but aren't citizens? Green card holders? International students?


Seems like they're opening a bit of a can of worms. Unless it's as easy as, show a US based drivers license and you pay the US rate. If they require something like a passport to prove that's a pain for most of us

 

[brymoore]

The national parks are going to check IDs?

 

[mevertsen]

Ultimately many other countries do the same. But I didn't see it answered in the text (didn't read it all either, too much political bs talk... ) but it's this going to apply for anyone not a US citizen? What about people that do pay federal tax but aren't citizens? Green card holders? International students?


Seems like they're opening a bit of a can of worms. Unless it's as easy as, show a US based drivers license and you pay the US rate. If they require something like a passport to prove that's a pain for most of us

I see the term "foreign tourists"

My thinking is permanent resident, work, student, or ministerial VISA holders, etc. would not be considered tourists.

 

[Sheltowee]

Can we institute a Texan Surcharge?

 

[jryoung]

Can't wait to see how this goes down when the Soverign Citizen folks show up to the parks.

 

[SAJ-99]

I haven’t read it yet, because I’m feeling lazy. However, it would make sense to charge them more. We, the federal tax payer, fund the Parks. Why wouldn’t there be a non-resident fee?

My wife made the same statement when I brought it up to her. As with everything from DC, if it makes sense something is probably wrong with it.
- As SD_P_G pointed out, it's a can of worms. How do you implement? A lot of parks charge a fee per vehicle. Are we switching to charging by the person? What happens with an RV - do they search the RV to count people? What if you have 3 citizens and 1 non citizen? Are we checking IDs? Does every citizen have to take a passport to a park now? Logistics matter when it comes to cost. This is a logistical nightmare if you work one of the entry points.
- The projection for revenue raised seem high, but let's just assume it is correct. The $23B in backlog shows that we taxpayers don't fund the parks and $500m is about 2% of that number. Add to that both Congressmen just signed a budget bill that cut funding to the NPS and will redirect LWCF funds to NPS maintenance, so it's hard to square that circle.
- My main problem with it is the overall trend of Americans to want nice things but not want to pay for it. I doubt this originated in Montana, but reading any mule deer thread shows they take it to a higher level.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Even if only the large bus loads of foreign tourists were taxed, it would be substantial.

It seems the tendency is for HTers to nitpick any new idea, proposal or plan described on this forum. I wonder if any of those "experts" ever express their learned opinions or great ideas to the legislators sponsoring the proposals. ???

 

[Sheltowee]

Even if only the large bus loads of foreign tourists were taxed, it would be substantial.

It seems the tendency is for HTers to nitpick any new idea, proposal or plan described on this forum. I wonder if any of those "experts" ever express their learned opinions or great ideas to the legislators sponsoring the proposals. ???

Serious question: wouldn't those need a commercial permit to operate within the park, regardless of whether the occupants were citizens or not?

 

[Straight Arrow]

Serious question: wouldn't those need a commercial permit to operate within the park, regardless of whether the occupants were citizens or not?

'Don't know. However, your question is not really related and is aside from individual foreign tourist fees proposed.

 

[Mallardsx2]

But…..what will the buffalos gore?

 

[thomas89]

I’m good with it.

A quick google search shows there are indeed pretty hefty fees for non-residents in other countries special parks and tourist attractions.

 

[rjthehunter]

But…..what will the buffalos gore?

On the foreigners will still show up and put out for the buffalo. They aren't going to let a little tax increase dissuade them from playing with the buffalo!

 

[SAJ-99]

'Don't know. However, your question is not really related and aside from individual foreign tourist fees proposed.

It sort of is. If you are choosing to tax the individual, then the tour company has to keep track of foreigners on the bus. If the tour company pays a flat annual fee, then that has to go up. You would need to prevent the tour company from saying "there are 5 foreigners on this bus, here is their $200" when actually there were 8 and the company pocketing the other $120. It could be done, but it would require an investment in systems, which costs money. Or they outsource. So, like tag lottery systems in various states, it will get outsourced to some company with zero experience in the area.

The "is it fair" question is pointless. "They do it so we should" is not even relevant. Being a business consultant in a former "life", I know what matters is only if it is possible and at what cost. But I note that 'Possible vs not possible' never kept the partner from selling the work, just like it doesn't keep congress or the president from proposing stuff.

But…..what will the buffalos gore?

Don't worry, they still have Floridians.

 

[OverlordBear]

I wish they would work on banning foreign nationals from owning any property on US soil. That would legitimately help protect America’s treasure especially if we just seized it then sold it to help with the deficit. Make America American Again.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I see the term "foreign tourists"

My thinking is permanent resident, work, student, or ministerial VISA holders, etc. would not be considered tourists.

And that would make sense.

To me the easiest solution is also the simplest. If they want to do this, show driver license. If US based, pay $10 if not US based pay $20.

That's how it was over seas. Show your passport ( usually not even required as I stick out like a sore thumb) and pay the extra cost. Usually the foreign cost was double or more than the local rate for almost everywhere. Even more at the internationally renowned sites

 

[Straight Arrow]

It sort of is. If you are choosing to tax the individual, then the tour company has to keep track of foreigners on the bus. If the tour company pays a flat annual fee, then that has to go up. You would need to prevent the tour company from saying "there are 5 foreigners on this bus, here is their $200" when actually there were 8 and the company pocketing the other $120. It could be done, but it would require an investment in systems, which costs money. Or they outsource. So, like tag lottery systems in various states, it will get outsourced to some company with zero experience in the area.

The "is it fair" question is pointless. "They do it so we should" is not even relevant. Being a business consultant in a former "life", I know what matters is only if it is possible and at what cost. But I note that 'Possible vs not possible' never kept the partner from selling the work, just like it doesn't keep congress or the president from proposing stuff.


Don't worry, they still have Floridians.

Good example of "nitpicking".

 

[SAJ-99]

Good example of "nitpicking".

You sound like the partner that sold the project. LOL. I can remember numerous times after they signed the papers and sent them to me and I say "How the f*** are we going to do that?". I'm sure there are GCs here that have seen the same thing. Grand visions are great but the details are important. We can't live in this fantasy world where we see how we want things to be and simply get there by waving a magic wand and say "let it be so!".