Read the full stored bill text
As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 328
2025-2026
Representatives Brewer, Robb Blasdel
Cosponsors: Representatives McNally,
Rogers, Sigrist, Brownlee, Synenberg, Brennan, Glassburn, Grim,
Piccolantonio, Russo
To
establish a grant program to reimburse local government entities for
the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of community
recreation spaces, to name this act the Fit, Safe, and Strong
Communities Act, and to make an appropriation.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
(A)
The Director of Children and Youth shall establish and administer,
with the assistance of the Director of Natural Resources, a one-time
grant program that provides up to seventy-five per cent reimbursement
to local government entities for the acquisition, development, or
rehabilitation of outdoor spaces, parks, playgrounds, pools, splash
pads, and recreation centers.
(B)
A local government entity, including a township, village, city,
county, park district, joint recreation district, and conservancy
district may apply to the Director of Children and Youth for a grant
under this section. The applicant shall include the following in the
application:
(1)
Proof that the applicant holds the title to or has a non-revocable
lease of at least fifteen years to the property listed for the grant;
(2)
A plan that details the proposed development or rehabilitation of the
property;
(3)
A plan to partner with a nonprofit organization or community partner
for the development of the property.
(C)
Local government entities applying for a grant under this section
shall be given priority if they include either of the following in
the application:
(1)
A plan developed with a nonprofit organization or community partner
that includes initiatives to create play area capacity within their
communities, including how to create ongoing sustainability to
support capacity-expanding initiatives and identify the needs it
would address;
(2)
A plan to develop a learning lab on the property.
(D)
As used in this section, "learning lab" means a dedicated
space within a facility designed for educational activities that
focus on teaching new skills, promoting knowledge of health and
wellness, or providing technology training in an accessible setting
for engagement by all members of the community.
Section
2.
All
items in this act are hereby appropriated as designated out of any
moneys in the state treasury to the credit of the designated fund.
For all operating appropriations made in this act, those in the first
column are for fiscal year 2026 and those in the second column are
for fiscal year 2027. The operating appropriations made in this act
are in addition to any other operating appropriations made for these
fiscal years.
Section
3.
1
2
3
4
5
A
KID
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
B
General
Revenue Fund
C
GRF
830420
Community
Projects and Assistance
$10,250,000
$10,250,000
D
TOTAL
GRF General Revenue Fund
$10,250,000
$10,250,000
E
TOTAL
ALL BUDGET FUND GROUPS
$10,250,000
$10,250,000
COMMUNITY
PROJECTS AND ASSISTANCE
Of
the foregoing appropriation item 830420, Community Projects and
Assistance, $10,000,000 in each fiscal year shall be used for the
grant program to provide reimbursement to local government entities
for the acquisition, development, or rehabilitation of outdoor
spaces, parks, playgrounds, pools, splash pads, and recreation
centers described in Section 1 of this act.
Of
the foregoing appropriation item 830420, Community Projects and
Assistance, $250,000 in each fiscal year shall be used to establish
learning labs within local government subdivision recreation centers.
Section
4.
Within
the limits set forth in this act, the Director of Budget and
Management shall establish accounts indicating the source and amount
of funds for each appropriation made in this act, and shall determine
the manner in which appropriation accounts shall be maintained.
Expenditures from operating appropriations contained in this act
shall be accounted for as though made in, and are subject to all
applicable provisions of, the main operating appropriations act of
the 136th General Assembly.
Section
5.
This
act shall be known as the Fit, Safe, and Strong Communities Act.