The Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026 allows the U.S. Forest Service to issue a special permit for a flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point in Utah, where an American flag has been raised seasonally since 2000. The permit will last for 10 years and can be renewed, and the Forest Service cannot charge a fee for it. Additionally, this permit is exempt from environmental review requirements. The bill aims to ensure the flag can continue to be raised each year despite previous regulations requiring a permit for such structures.
Supporters of the Star-Spangled Summit Act have praised it as a celebration of patriotism and a way to honor the tradition of raising the American flag in a scenic national forest. Many see it as a necessary step to preserve a community tradition and enhance national pride, emphasizing the importance of maintaining symbols of freedom and unity in public spaces.
Critics of the Star-Spangled Summit Act have raised concerns about the exemption from environmental review, arguing that it sets a precedent for bypassing regulations designed to protect natural resources. Some environmental advocates worry that the bill prioritizes symbolic gestures over ecological considerations, potentially undermining the integrity of national forest management policies.
The Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026, sponsored by Mike Kennedy, does not exhibit any direct industry overlaps with the sponsor's top donor industries, which are primarily Health Professionals and Retired individuals, totaling over $1.4 billion. Given that the bill's subject matter does not intersect with these sectors, the potential for conflicts of interest appears minimal. The lobbying activity associated with this bill includes various organizations, but the undisclosed amounts and lack of direct ties to the sponsor's donors further mitigate risk. Voters should be aware that while there is significant financial backing from health professionals, it does not directly influence the content of this particular legislation.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SPHERE LABS | TERRAPIN STRATEGY, INC | $22,000 |
| ATZ MANUFACTURING | TERRAPIN STRATEGY, INC | $21,750 |
| THE PRESIDENTS' FORUM OF THE DISTILLED SPIRITS INDUSTRY | THE PRESIDENTS' FORUM OF THE DISTILLED SPIRITS INDUSTRY | $20,000 |
| SANA HEALTH | TERRAPIN STRATEGY, INC | $7,500 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE | NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE | undisclosed |
| NEBRASKA RURAL GENERATION LLC | JABAL COMPANIES LLC | undisclosed |
| RHOBACK, INC. | ATLAS CROSSING LLC | undisclosed |
| GLOBAL MOBILE SOFTWARE LLC | TERRAPIN STRATEGY, INC | undisclosed |
| SUMAIR VIRANI | COZEN O'CONNOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS TRADE ASSOCIATION | COZEN O'CONNOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
| NUMERACLE, INC. | ACG ADVOCACY | undisclosed |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR CAPITAL FORMATION | AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR CAPITAL FORMATION | undisclosed |
| HUBBARD HOUSE RESTAURANT, LLC | COZEN O'CONNOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
| INTUIT INC., AND ITS ENTERPRISE MEMBERS | COZEN O'CONNOR PUBLIC STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL CENTER OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (NCOSE) | ACG ADVOCACY | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Mike Kennedy, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
