1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Outdoors for All Act”.
Outdoors for All Act
A BILL
To codify the existing Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program of the National Park Service, and for other purposes.
2. Definitions
In this Act:
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means an entity that represents or otherwise serves a qualifying area.
Eligible nonprofit organization— The term eligible nonprofit organization means an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such code.
Entity— The term entity means—
a State;
a political subdivision of a State, including—
a city;
a county; and
a special purpose district that manages open space, including a park district; and
an Indian Tribe, urban Indian organization, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community or organization.
Indian tribe— The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
Low-income community— The term low-income community means any census block group in which 30 percent or more of the population are individuals with an annual household equal to, or less than, the greater of—
an amount equal to 80 percent of the median income of the area in which the household is located, as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
an amount equal to 200 percent of the Federal poverty line.
Outdoor recreation legacy partnership program— The term Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program means the program established under section 3(a).
Qualifying area— The term qualifying area means—
an urbanized area or urban cluster that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census;
2 or more adjacent urban clusters with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or
an area administered by an Indian Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
State— The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States.
3. Grants authorized
Establishment of program—
In general— The Secretary shall establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership program under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for projects—
to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas; and
to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas.
Priority— In awarding grants to eligible entities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that—
create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community;
engage and empower underserved communities and youth;
provide employment or job training opportunities for youth or underserved communities;
establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and
take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.
Matching requirement—
In general— As a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall provide matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to not less than 100 percent of the amounts made available under the grant.
Waiver— The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching requirement under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that—
no reasonable means are available through which the eligible entity can meet the matching requirement; and
the probable benefit of the project outweighs the public interest in the matching requirement.
Administrative expenses— Not more than 10 percent of funds provided to an eligible entity under a grant awarded under subsection (a) may be used for administrative expenses.
Considerations— In awarding grants to eligible entities under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the extent to which a project would—
provide recreation opportunities in underserved communities in which access to parks is not adequate to meet local needs;
provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and public land volunteerism;
support innovative or cost-effective ways to enhance parks and other recreation—
opportunities; or
delivery of services;
support park and recreation programming provided by cities, including cooperative agreements with community-based eligible nonprofit organizations;
develop Native American event sites and cultural gathering spaces; and
provide benefits such as community resilience, reduction of urban heat islands, enhanced water or air quality, or habitat for fish or wildlife.
Eligible uses—
In general— Subject to paragraph (2), a grant recipient may use a grant awarded under subsection (a) for a project described in paragraph (1) or (2) of that subsection.
Limitations on use— A grant recipient may not use grant funds for—
incidental costs related to land acquisition, including appraisal and titling;
operation and maintenance activities;
facilities that support semiprofessional or professional athletics;
indoor facilities, such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily non-outdoor purposes; or
acquisition of land or interests in land that restrict access to specific persons.
4. Review and evaluation requirements
In carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, the Secretary shall—
conduct an initial screening and technical review of applications received;
evaluate and score all qualifying applications; and
provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information to eligible entities (including low-income communities and eligible entities serving low-income communities) on—
the opportunity to apply for grants under this Act;
the application procedures by which eligible entities may apply for grants under this Act; and
eligible uses for grants under this Act.
5. Reporting
Annual reports— Not later than 30 days after the last day of each report period, each State lead agency that receives a grant under this Act shall annually submit to the Secretary performance and financial reports that—
summarize project activities conducted during the report period; and
provide the status of the project.
Final reports— Not later than 90 days after the earlier of the date of expiration of a project period or the completion of a project, each State lead agency that receives a grant under this Act shall submit to the Secretary a final report containing such information as the Secretary may require.