ST. GEORGE — To increase outdoor recreation grant opportunities and promote cooperation among nonprofits and government agencies, the Utah Legislature is considering amending eligibility and funding for Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program.
Utah House Rep. Carl R. Albrecht is sponsoring the Outdoor Recreation Modifications bill, officially designated HB 93 in the 2023 legislative session. If passed, the bill would increase the funding amount for the Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program that could be used each fiscal year, raising the percentage from 5% to 15% from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Account.
Grants can be awarded for recreational infrastructure projects accessible to the general public.
While the funds available would increase by 10% under this bill, in recent years, the grant program often spent more than the original 5% but was required to go through a process to obtain permission, Tara Mckee said during the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee hearing.
Mckee is the associate director of grants and planning in the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation and assisted with the bill’s presentation to the committee.
Additionally, changes to the bill would now allow federal government entities and state agencies to qualify for funding. And Albrecht told St. George News federal funds could be leveraged with state money to “do more on a certain project.”
Utah House Rep. Scott H. Chew spoke against the bill during the committee hearing, citing concerns with the grant program providing funds to government agencies.
“I understand the reason behind it,” he said. “But I think they’re behind, and I think that their process is doggone slow, and they’re not up to date.”
In response, Mckee said the change was made to avoid small nonprofits “getting in over their heads” and allowing them to partner with government agencies. She referenced a case in Pine Valley where a private citizen funded a project for several months using a personal credit card.
Albrecht said he chose to sponsor HB 93 after hearing from some Sevier County residents who felt funding for the grant program should be increased. He worked closely with other legislators and the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation to develop the bill.
“I didn’t have any project in mind,” he said. “I just like to see these grants (go) to these communities that rely on bicyclists and OHV folks and help them with their local economy in rural Utah.”
By increasing the funding available, Albrecht said Utahns will have more opportunities to receive funding to improve their recreation infrastructure, such as trails and boat ramps.
“All these folks on the Wasatch Front like to come and recreate in rural Utah,” He said. “Right? And so we need to have some nice trails for them to ride, so they will continue to come down there and spend a lot of money.”
Albrecht said he is an advocate for outdoor recreation.
“I’m just a rural guy trying to help rural Utah,” he said. “And this will do it with these outdoor recreation grants.”
Utah House Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist spoke in favor of the bill on the House floor.
“It opens up the outdoor recreation grant program that will allow more projects to be done and more cooperation between different entities since so many of our recreation assets are on land owned by different land agencies,” he said. “So I agree with the good sponsor — it’s a good bill. I urge your support.”
The bill was given a favorable recommendation from the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee, passed a third hearing in the Utah House of Representatives 69-0, and has been introduced to the Senate.
The bill is not expected to impact state revenue or expenditures or increase taxes or regulatory burdens on Utah residents or businesses, according to its attached fiscal note.
Learn more about the Restoration Infrastructure Grant Program at this link.
Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.
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