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House delegation approves $50,000 reappropriation for tourism safety and destination enhancements
Summary
The House delegation passed House Local Bill 24-46 (Substitute One) to reappropriate $50,000 for destination-enhancement and safety work, with the author saying the priority is safety mitigation at the Forbidden Trail and rope replacement.
The House delegation on the floor approved House Local Bill 24-46, Substitute One, to reappropriate $50,000 for destination-enhancement and safety projects.
Representative Angelo Kamacho, who introduced the bill, said the funds are intended for tourism destination enhancements and “more of like a mitigation and safety purposes” at the Forbidden Trail, noting deteriorated ropes and a hazardous trail edge. He asked that the bill be placed on the bill calendar for action, and the body adopted the motion to do so and then voted to pass the substitute and the bill.
Why it matters: members framed the appropriation as targeted, safety-focused work at a high-traffic tourist site rather than general discretionary spending. Kamacho said the immediate priority is the Forbidden Trail and rope replacement; if funds remain they will be allocated to other destinations on a wish list maintained by the destination enhancement team at MVA.
Discussion and next steps: Vice Chairwoman asked whether specific projects had been identified for the $50,000 because the bill language was general. Kamacho responded that MVA’s destination enhancement team has a wish list and the priority would be the Forbidden Trail; he said precinct 5 (his precinct) would lead the appropriation but could assist other precincts if funds remain. Representative Marissa Flores, as tourism chair, said she would keep an open dialogue with MVA so lists of targeted beautification and safety projects could be prepared and funding drawn down.
Vote: Madame Clerk recorded a roll-call vote on passage of House Local Bill 24-46, Substitute One; all 18 members present voted yes and the bill passed the delegation.
Implementation notes: the author clarified a technical amendment during floor debate to correct the local law number and project code (the bill was entered into the record in the form of Substitute One with corrected references to Siphon Local Law 24-12 and project code SL145). The delegation directed staff to coordinate with MVA and to provide members the list of projects that MVA has prioritized for destination enhancement funding.
The delegation moved promptly to other calendar items after passage. The bill record shows the delegation approved the substitute and passed the bill during the same session.
