Enrolled Copy H.B. 200
1
Outdoor Recreation Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Paul A. Cutler
Senate Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
2
3
LONG TITLE
4
General Description:
5
This bill addresses the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
6
Highlighted Provisions:
7
This bill:
8
▸ modifies the lands that the governor may keep open and operational during a fiscal
9
emergency;
10
▸ changes the reporting subcommittee for the Division of Outdoor Recreation report on
11
recreation restoration infrastructure grants; and
12
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
13
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
14
None
15
Other Special Clauses:
16
None
17
Utah Code Sections Affected:
18
AMENDS:
19
79-7-602 (Effective 05/07/25) (Repealed 07/01/29), as renumbered and amended by
20
Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 88
21
79-8-203 (Effective 05/07/25), as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2021,
22
Chapter 280
23
24
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25
Section 1. Section 79-7-602 is amended to read:
26
79-7-602 (Effective 05/07/25) (Repealed 07/01/29). Governor's duties -- Priority
27
of federal property.
28
(1) During a fiscal emergency, the governor shall: H.B. 200 Enrolled Copy
29
(a) if financially practicable, work with the federal government to open and maintain the
30
operation of one or more national parks, national monuments, national forests, [and ]
31
national recreation areas, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife
32
Service in the state, in the order established under this section; and
33
(b) report to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate
34
on the need, if any, for additional appropriations to assist the division in opening and
35
operating one or more national parks, national monuments, national forests, [and ]
36
national recreation areas, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife
37
Service in the state.
38
(2) [The] In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
39
director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation, in consultation with the executive
40
director of the Department of Natural Resources, shall [determine, by rule,] make rules to
41
determine the priority of national parks, national monuments, national forests, [and ]
42
national recreation areas, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife
43
Service in the state.
44
(3) In determining the priority described in Subsection (2), the director of the Division of
45
Outdoor Recreation shall consider the:
46
(a) economic impact of the national park, national monument, national forest, [or ]
47
national recreation area, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife
48
Service in the state; and
49
(b) recreational value offered by the national park, national monument, national forest, [
50
or ]national recreation area, and lands managed by the United States Fish and
51
Wildlife Service.
52
(4) The director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation shall annually review the priority set
53
under Subsection (2) to determine whether the priority list should be amended.
54
Section 2. Section 79-8-203 is amended to read:
55
79-8-203 (Effective 05/07/25). Award of recreation restoration infrastructure
56
grants.
57
(1) In determining the award of a recreation restoration infrastructure grant, the advisory
58
committee shall prioritize projects that the advisory committee considers to be high
59
demand outdoor recreation amenities or high priority trails.
60
(2) The division may give special consideration to [projects from qualified applicants] a
61
project from a qualified applicant within rural counties to ensure geographic parity of
62
the awarded money.
- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 200
63
(3)(a) An applicant shall use a recreation restoration infrastructure grant to leverage
64
private and other nonstate public money[ and the division may give priority to
65
projects that exceed a 50% match from the applicant] , including cash, resources,
66
goods, or services necessary to complete a project.
67
(b) The division may give priority to a project from an applicant that contributes a 50%
68
or greater financial match from the applicant or other private and nonstate public
69
money.
70
[(b) Leverage includes cash, resources, goods, or services necessary to complete a
71
project.]
72
(c) The division shall apply money from a cooperative agreement entered into with the
73
United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Department of the
74
Interior as a portion of the applicant's match.
75
(4) A recreation restoration infrastructure grant may only be awarded by the executive
76
director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.
77
(5) A recreation restoration infrastructure grant is available for rehabilitation or restoration
78
projects for high demand outdoor recreation amenities and high priority trails that relate
79
directly to the visitor including:
80
(a) a trail, trail head infrastructure, signage, and crossing infrastructure, for both
81
nonmotorized and motorized recreation;
82
(b) a campground or picnic area;
83
(c) water recreation infrastructure, including a pier, dock, or boat ramp; and
84
(d) recreation facilities that are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
85
(6) The following are not eligible for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant:
86
(a) general facility operations and administrative costs;
87
(b) land acquisitions;
88
(c) visitor facilities, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with Title
89
63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
90
(d) water and utility systems; and
91
(e) employee housing.
92
(7) The division shall compile data and report to the [Business, Economic Development,
93
and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee] Natural Resources, Agriculture, and
94
Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee on the:
95
(a) effectiveness of the grant program in addressing the deferred maintenance and repair
96
backlog of trails, campgrounds, and other recreation amenities on public lands;
- 3 - H.B. 200 Enrolled Copy
97
(b) estimated value of the rehabilitation or restoration projects;
98
(c) number of miles of trails that are rehabilitated or restored; and
99
(d) leverage of state money to federal and private money and in-kind services such as
100
volunteer labor.
101
Section 3. Effective Date.
102
This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
- 4 -