Analyst Brief May 18, 2026

H.R. 4684 — Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2025, as amended

Current Status

Reported by Committee

Executive Summary

H.R. 4684, the 'Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026,' mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a 10-year special use permit for maintaining a U.S. flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point in the Uinta National Forest, Utah. The bill bypasses standard regulatory hurdles by explicitly exempting the permit from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, land use fees, and cost recovery fees. It aims to protect a longstanding local tradition of flying the flag at this specific peak by granting a permit to individuals or local groups with a history of maintaining it, effectively resolving any bureaucratic friction with the Forest Service.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Mr. Kennedy (R-UT)

Bill Number

H.R. 4684

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

None
View on Congress.gov ↗

Arguments For

  • Patriotic Appeal & Cultural Preservation: Protects a local, patriotic tradition of flying the American flag from bureaucratic overreach by the Forest Service, offering an easy political win.
  • Regulatory Relief: Demonstrates a willingness to cut red tape (NEPA exemptions, fee waivers) for low-impact, community-driven initiatives on federal lands.

Likely Supporters

RepublicansVeterans Service OrganizationsLocal Utah County civic groupsConservative advocacy groups

Arguments Against

  • Environmental Precedent: Bypassing NEPA for specific structures on federal lands sets a controversial precedent that environmental groups argue could be exploited for more disruptive projects.
  • Micromanagement of Federal Lands: Critics may argue Congress should not be legislating site-specific special use permits, which overrides local Forest Service management discretion and standard administrative procedures.

Likely Opponents

DemocratsEnvironmental conservation groupsPublic lands advocates

📋 Key Provisions

  • Mandates the Forest Service to issue a 10-year special use permit within 180 days for a U.S. flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point.
  • Prioritizes applicants who have a history of displaying the flag at the site or local Utah County residents/organizations with relevant experience.
  • Waives all land use fees and cost recovery fees associated with the special use permit.
  • Exempts the permit's issuance, renewal, and administration from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.
  • Requires the Forest Service to authorize reasonable access while limiting activities to the smallest practicable area to protect natural resources.
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Claim Analysis Page 6, Line 16

Exempts the permit from NEPA requirements.

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"APPLICABILITY OF NEPA.—The National Environ"

Claim Analysis Page 5, Line 10

Waives land use fees for the permit.

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"shall not assess any land use fees"

Claim Analysis Page 4, Line 6

Requires permit issuance within 180 days.

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"Not later than 180 days after"

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 22

Defines eligible 'qualified person' as residing or operating in Utah County.

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"entity or organization in, Utah County"