House backs $5 million outdoor recreation grant program, citing high leverage

The Utah House on Feb. 22 approved first substitute HB 52 to establish a grant program administered by the Office of Outdoor Recreation to finance trails, water-access projects and other outdoor-recreation infrastructure.

Representative Arent, sponsor of the bill, said the measure creates a mechanism to develop recreation infrastructure and requires grant applicants to supply a minimum 50% local match. Arent noted results from a pilot program: "A $500,000 investment brought in $3,000,000 in projects," she said, framing the proposal as highly leveraged.

The bill limits uses of funds (not for buying private property) and requires local-government endorsement for project applications; grants are available to local governments, qualified nonprofits and tribes. The GOED executive director and board must approve grants, and recipients are subject to reporting requirements and an annual report to the Legislature.

Floor debate centered on the bill's fiscal note and potential return on investment. Representative McHale and others asked whether smaller appropriations could be phased in; Arent said the program had flexibility and that smaller amounts could be used, pointing to the successful $500,000 pilot. Representative Noel and others urged balancing recreation funding with other priorities given revised revenue estimates announced earlier in the day.

The House passed the bill (first substitute HB 52) and the clerk recorded the vote: "First substitute House Bill 52, having received 73 yes votes, 0 no votes, passes this body." The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.

Next steps: HB 52 will go to the Senate; grant rules and reporting will be set by the Office of Outdoor Recreation and GOED if the bill becomes law.