H.R. 4604 — Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists (PATRIOT) Parks Act

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, at the Secretary's election or on request of the superintendent of a National Park System unit charging an entrance fee, to impose a surcharge on such fees for international visitors (i.e., nonimmigrants admitted under B visas or the Visa Waiver Program). The superintendent sets the surcharge amount by regulation to maximize revenue while retaining visitation; for per-vehicle fees, the surcharge is proportionately levied; proceeds are retained by the unit for maintenance, visitor services, staffing, and related needs; and collection follows standard entrance fee methods (including via third-party vendors if agreed). The Secretary may suspend, modify (e.g., tiered pricing by visitation), or require minimum percentage increases to the surcharge, which is separate from visa fees; exceptions prohibit surcharges at the Washington Monument and, for congressionally designated International Peace Parks, on nationals of the partner country entering from the U.S. Separately, this section requires a surcharge on sales of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to international visitors, with amounts (subject to reasonable increases set by the Secretary) deposited in the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.