July 23, 2025
Mr. Kennedy of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a special use permit with respect to the maintaining of a flagpole bearing the flag of the United States at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point, Utah, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2025
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Sec. 2. Special use permit for maintenance of covered flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered flagpole
The term covered flagpole means a flagpole bearing the flag of the United States.
(2) Kyhv Peak Lookout Point
The term Kyhv Peak Lookout Point means the peak within the Uinta National Forest overlooking Utah Valley and located approximately at latitude 40°16′18.14″ N, longitude 111°36′58.57″ W.
(3) Qualified person
The term qualified person means an individual that resides in, or a nonprofit entity or volunteer organization that carries out operations of the entity or organization in, Utah County, Utah, that has—
(A)
experience placing, maintaining, or otherwise caring for a covered flagpole; and
(B)
any other experience determined relevant by the Secretary.
(4) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
(b) Special use permit
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a special use permit for a period of 10 years for the placing, if necessary, and maintenance of a covered flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point—
(1)
to Robert S. Collins of Provo, Utah; or
(2)
if the individual described in paragraph (1) declines such permit, to a qualified person in accordance with this section.
(c) Selection and issuance
(1) Application
Except as provided in subsection (b)(1), to be eligible to be selected for a special use permit under this section, a qualified person shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Priority of issuance
Except as provided in subsection (b)(1), in selecting a qualified person to receive a special use permit under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize the following qualified persons:
(A)
First, a qualified person that held a special use permit issued under this section for the preceding 10-year period.
(B)
Second, a qualified person that the prior special use permit holder identifies.
(C)
Third, any other qualified person that submits an application under paragraph (1) that the Secretary determines appropriate.
(3) Terms and conditions
The Secretary may impose such terms and conditions on a holder of a special use permit under this section as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure the proper care and maintenance of a covered flagpole.
(4) Land use fee exemption
The Secretary shall not assess any land use fees with respect to a special use permit issued under this section.
(5) Notice of application
The Secretary shall publish notice of the availability of any special use permit under this section on the website of the Forest Service and in a local Utah County, Utah, newspaper of record.
(d) Subsequent special use permits
(1) In general
The Secretary shall renew or issue a new 10-year special use permit not later than 180 days after the date that is the earliest of the following:
(A)
The date that is 10 years after the date on which the Secretary issued the preceding permit.
(B)
The date on which the holder of the current special use permit requests termination of such permit.
(C)
The date on which a special use permit is subject to early termination under paragraph (2).
(2) Early termination
If the Secretary determines that the holder of a special use permit under this section is not in compliance with the terms and conditions relating to such permit under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary may terminate the special use permit.
(e) Limitation on holders of special use permit
A holder of a special use permit under this section shall not accept anything of value in exchange for identifying a person under subsection (c)(2)(B).
(f) Applicability of NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall not apply to the issuance, renewal, or administration of a special use permit under this section, including any activities associated with the placing, maintenance, or removal of a covered flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point.
(g) Access
The Secretary may authorize reasonable access to Kyhv Peak Lookout Point for the purpose of exercising rights under a special use permit issued under this section, subject to conditions necessary to protect public safety and natural resources.