Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026

Legislative Summary: Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026 (H.R. 4684)

Overview

The Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026 is a targeted piece of legislation designed to legalize and formalize the long-standing tradition of placing an American flag at the summit of Kyhv Peak in the Uinta National Forest, Utah. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a special use permit to allow a qualified individual or organization to install and maintain a flagpole at this specific location.

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to resolve a conflict between a local patriotic tradition and federal land management policies. For over two decades, community members in Provo, Utah, seasonally placed a flag at Kyhv Peak. However, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) removed the flag in 2022, citing policies against unauthorized structures on National Forest System land. This Act aims to restore that tradition by providing a legal framework for the flag's display.

Key Provisions

Permit Issuance and Eligibility

The Secretary of Agriculture (via the Chief of the Forest Service) must issue a 10-year special use permit within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The permit will be granted in the following order of priority:
1. Individuals who applied to display the flag prior to March 5, 2026.
2. Individuals who historically maintained the seasonal flag display.
3. If the above decline, a "qualified person" (a Utah County resident, non-profit, or volunteer organization with relevant experience).

Financial and Regulatory Exemptions

To ensure the tradition can be maintained without significant financial burden, the bill includes:
* Fee Exemptions: The USFS is prohibited from charging land use fees or cost recovery fees.
* NEPA Exemption: The issuance and administration of the permit are exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, streamlining the process by removing the requirement for extensive environmental reviews.

Oversight and Maintenance

• Renewal: Permits are renewable every 10 years.
• Revocation: The Secretary may revoke the permit if the holder fails to comply with established terms and conditions regarding the care of the flagpole.
• Environmental Limitation: Authorized activities and access must be restricted to the smallest practicable area to protect natural resources and public safety.

Affected Parties

• Local Residents/Organizations: Specifically those in Utah County, Utah, who wish to maintain the flagpole.
• U.S. Forest Service: The agency is mandated to shift from a policy of removal to one of permitted management for this specific site.
• The Public: Visitors to the Uinta National Forest will see the restoration of a local landmark.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

• Enactment Deadline: The permit must be issued within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
• Budgetary Impact: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of implementation to be less than $500,000 over the period of 2026–2031.
• Current Status: As of April 2, 2026, the bill has been reported favorably by the Committee on Natural Resources and placed on the Union Calendar.