RTP Advocacy
Senators Klobuchar, Risch, Welch, Budd, Curtis, Merkley, and Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Fully Fund Recreational Trails Program
Bipartisan bill seeks to increase the Recreational Trails Program’s funding from its current $84 million to better reflect the estimated $281 million annually contributed by nonhighway recreational fuel taxes. Download the S 811 Bill Text now.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), joined by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Curtis (R-UT), Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], and Thom Tillis (R-NC), introduced the RTP Full Funding Act of 2025(S. 811), a bipartisan bill aimed at securing dedicated and equitable funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
The RTP supports the development and maintenance of trails across the United States for a wide range of users, including hikers, cyclists, snowmobilers, equestrians, and off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. The program is uniquely funded through a federal tax on fuel used for nonhighway recreational vehicles, embracing a user-pay, user-benefit model.
While the program currently receives approximately $84 million annually, an estimated $281 million in fuel taxes from nonhighway recreation is paid into the Highway Trust Fund each year. The proposed legislation highlights this disparity and calls for a funding level that more accurately reflects these tax contributions.
The bill also calls on the Federal Highway Administration to provide an updated estimate of nonhighway fuel tax revenues at least one year before the expiration of surface transportation programs, ensuring accountability and better long-term planning.
The RTP Full Funding Act of 2025 affirms Congress’s support for RTP’s role in advancing transportation, health, economic development, and public land access goals—without diverting funds from other federal highway programs.
S. 811 Resources
RTP Data by State
Find Recreation Trails Program data specific to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This includes current project lists, State summaries of funding, and key contacts.
