National Parks Overflights Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 1999

National Parks Overflights Act - Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit a commercial air tour operator from conducting commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, except in accordance with this Act, conditions prescribed for that operator by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and with any effective air tour management plan for the park or tribal lands.(Sec. 3) Sets forth specified requirements with respect to: (1) the granting of authority to commercial air tour operators to conduct air tour operations over national parks or tribal lands, with specified exceptions; and (2) establishment of commercial air tour management plans.(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator and the Director of the National Park Service to establish, jointly, an advisory group to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to the operation of commercial air tours over and near national parks.(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on the effects proposed overflight fees are likely to have on the commercial air tour industry.(Sec. 6) Prohibits commercial air tours from operating over Rocky Mountain National Park airspace.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R–AZ

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 19, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Jan 19, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S514)
Jan 19, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 19, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze S.81 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.81, 106th Congress: National Parks Overflights Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/81

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-01-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s81/BILLS-106s81is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.81 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.81, 106th Congress: National Parks Overflights Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/81

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-01-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s81/BILLS-106s81is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.81 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.81, 106th Congress: National Parks Overflights Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/81

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-01-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s81/BILLS-106s81is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

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View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.81, 106th Congress: National Parks Overflights Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/81

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-01-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s81/BILLS-106s81is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.81 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.