Senate committee hears bill to codify new split and eligible uses for Trail Stewardship Grant Program

Senator Barry Usher, sponsor of Senate Bill 310, told the Senate Fish and Game Committee that the bill would put into law a funding split for the Trail Stewardship Grant Program and expand the uses of the grant money.

"This bill puts into law the split of the stewardship grant program," Usher said, adding that the change would not raise new money and that "the $9 opt out fee on license plate applications is the primary source of funding for this grant program." Usher said the bill moves the program from an informal 30/30/40 split to a statutory 40% allocation for motorized projects, 40% for nonmotorized projects and 20% for projects that benefit both user groups.

The bill also clarifies eligible expenses. Usher said the funds may be used "for the purchase of trail equipment and maintenance. It can be used for trail construction and maintenance. It can be used for safety education, ethics and economic and feasibility…