Read the full stored bill text
11
51-9-902
79-8-102
79-8-401
0
Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Thomas W. Peterson
Senate Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses provisions related to outdoor recreation infrastructure grants.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
modifies terms;
clarifies that a recreational infrastructure project may include the restoration of a natural
feature, like a waterbody, for greater public access to the state's outdoors; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
51-9-902
Effective
05/06/26
Superseded
07/01/26
, as last amended by Laws of Utah
2025, Chapter 498
79-8-102
Effective
05/06/26
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 68, 274
79-8-401
Effective
05/06/26
Repealed
01/01/28
, as renumbered and amended by
Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 68
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section
51-9-902
is amended to read:
51-9-902
Effective
05/06/26
Superseded
07/01/26
. Outdoor Adventure
Infrastructure Restricted Account.
(1)
There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the "Outdoor
Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account."
(2)
The account shall consist of:
(a)
money deposited into the account under Subsection
59-12-103(15)
59-12-103(14)
;
and
(b)
interest and earnings on money in the account.
(3)
Subject to appropriation from the Legislature, money from the account shall be used for:
(a)
new construction of outdoor recreation infrastructure;
(b)
upgrades of outdoor recreation infrastructure;
(c)
the replacement of or structural improvements to outdoor recreation infrastructure;
(d)
the acquisition of land, a right-of-way, or easement used in relationship to outdoor
recreation infrastructure;
(e)
providing access from state highways, as defined in Section
72-1-102
, to outdoor
recreation infrastructure;
(f)
the costs associated with bringing new construction or upgrades of outdoor
recreation infrastructure into environmental compliance;
(g)
strategic planning related to the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure;
(h)
facilitating avalanche safety forecasting to protect the public in relation to outdoor
recreation infrastructure; or
(i)
clean up or security relating to outdoor recreation infrastructure.
(4)
For each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026, the Division of Finance
shall, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, distribute money from the Outdoor
Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account as follows:
(a)
at least 15% to the Department of Natural Resources - Division of State Parks -
Capital, to be expended using the department's existing prioritization process for
capital projects in state parks described in Subsection
(3)
;
(b)
at least 22% to the Department of Natural Resources - Division of Outdoor
Recreation - Capital, to be expended for competitive Recreation Restoration
Infrastructure grants or Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure grants for outdoor
recreation capital projects and related maintenance expenses, where maintenance
expenses do not exceed 15% of the appropriation;
(c)
at least 53% to the Department of Natural Resources - Division of Outdoor
Recreation - Capital, to be expended for larger outdoor recreation infrastructure
projects described in Subsection
(3)
as recommended to the Legislature by the
Outdoor Adventure Commission; and
(d)
at least 10% to the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District created in
Section
11-70-201
for the development and operation of the district.
(5)
If the Legislature appropriates money to the Department of Transportation from the
account, the Transportation Commission, created in Section
72-1-301
, shall prioritize
projects and determine funding levels in accordance with Subsection
72-1-303(1)(a)
based on recommendations of the Department of Transportation.
Section 2. Section
79-8-102
is amended to read:
79-8-102
Effective
05/06/26
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Accessible to the general public" in relation to the awarding of an infrastructure grant,
means:
(a)
the public may use the infrastructure in accordance with federal and state regulations;
and
(b)
no community or group retains exclusive rights to access the infrastructure.
(2)
"Advisory committee" means the Utah Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory
Committee created in Section
79-7-206
.
(3)
"Children," in relation to the awarding of a UCORE grant, means individuals who are
six years old or older and 18 years old or younger.
(4)
"Director" means the director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
(5)
"Division" means the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
(6)
"Executive director" means the executive director of the Department of Natural
Resources.
(7)
"Infrastructure grant" means an outdoor recreational infrastructure grant described in
Section
79-8-401
.
(8)
(a)
"Recreational infrastructure project" means an undertaking to build
or
,
improve
,
or restore
an approved facility
or
,
installation
, or natural feature
needed for the
public to access and enjoy the state's outdoors.
(b)
"Recreational infrastructure project" may include the:
(i)
establishment, construction, or renovation of a trail, trail infrastructure, or a trail
facility;
(ii)
construction of a project
or restoration of a waterbody
for a water-related outdoor
recreational activity;
(iii)
development of a project for a wildlife watching opportunity, including bird
watching;
(iv)
development of a project that provides a winter recreation amenity;
(v)
construction or improvement of a community park that has an amenity for
outdoor recreation; and
(vi)
construction or improvement of a naturalistic and accessible playground.
(9)
"UCORE grant" means a children's outdoor recreation and education grant described in
Section
79-8-302
.
(10)
(a)
"Underserved community" means a group of people, including a municipality,
county, or American Indian tribe, that is economically disadvantaged.
(b)
"Underserved community" includes an economically disadvantaged community
where in relation to awarding a UCORE grant, the children of the community,
including children with disabilities, have limited access to outdoor recreation or
education programs.
Section 3. Section
79-8-401
is amended to read:
79-8-401
Effective
05/06/26
Repealed
01/01/28
. Creation and purpose of
infrastructure grant program.
(1)
There is created the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program administered by
the division.
(2)
The division may seek to accomplish the following objectives in administering the
infrastructure grant program:
(a)
build, maintain, and promote recreational infrastructure
projects
to provide greater
access to low-cost outdoor recreation for the state's citizens;
(b)
encourage residents and nonresidents of the state to take advantage of the beauty of
Utah's outdoors;
(c)
encourage individuals and businesses to relocate to the state;
(d)
promote outdoor exercise; and
(e)
provide outdoor recreational opportunities to an underserved community in the state.
(3)
The advisory committee shall advise and make recommendations to the division
regarding infrastructure grants.
Section 4.
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on
May 6, 2026
.
3-12-26 8:54 AM