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H.R. 4512House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Outdoors for All Act

To provide grants for projects to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes and to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.

Sponsored by Nanette Diaz BarragánRep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA)
Introduced September 26, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 8:41 AM UTC

The Outdoors for All Act creates a grant program that lets states, local governments, park districts and Indian tribes obtain federal money to buy land or water for parks and to build or improve outdoor recreation facilities. The program focuses on projects that expand access in urban neighborhoods, help underserved communities and youth, and encourage public‑private partnerships.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of the Interior will run the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program and award grants to eligible entities (states, cities, counties, park districts, and qualifying Indian tribes).
  • Grant recipients must provide matching funds equal to at least 100% of the federal award, which can come from state, local, nonprofit or private sources.
  • Funds may be used to acquire land or water for public outdoor recreation and to develop or renovate outdoor facilities, with priority for projects that improve urban access, serve underserved youth, create jobs, and leverage partnerships.
  • Grant money cannot be used for administration, appraisal, operation and maintenance, indoor or professional‑sports facilities, or land that limits public access.
  • Recipients must submit annual performance and financial reports and a final report after project completion.
  • Revenue from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (20% of certain royalties from FY 2020‑2058) is earmarked to fund this grant program.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 27, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 26, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

September 26, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

October 3, 2019

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 27, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 26, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4512

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 26, 2019

Ms. Barragán (for herself, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To provide grants for projects to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes and to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Outdoors for All Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Eligible entity

(A)

In general

The term eligible entity means—

(i)

a State;

(ii)

a political subdivision of a State, including—

(I)

a city; and

(II)

a county;

(iii)

a special purpose district, including park districts; and

(iv)

an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).

(B)

Political subdivisions and indian tribes

A political subdivision of a State or an Indian tribe shall be considered an eligible entity only if the political subdivision or Indian tribe represents or otherwise serves a qualifying urban area.

(2)

Outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program

The term Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program means the program established under section 3(a).

(3)

Qualifying urban area

The term qualifying urban area means an area identified by the Census Bureau as an “urban area” in the most recent census.

(4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

3.

Grants authorized

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for projects—

(1)

to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes; and

(2)

to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.

(b)

Matching requirement

(1)

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.

(2)

Sources

The matching amounts referred to in paragraph (1) may include amounts made available from State, local, nongovernmental, or private sources.

4.

Eligible uses

(a)

In general

A grant recipient may use a grant awarded under this Act—

(1)

to acquire land or water that provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public; and

(2)

to develop or renovate outdoor recreational facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, with priority given to projects that—

(A)

create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community;

(B)

engage and empower underserved communities and youth;

(C)

provide opportunities for youth employment or job training;

(D)

establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and

(E)

take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.

(b)

Limitations on use

A grant recipient may not use grant funds for—

(1)

grant administration costs;

(2)

incidental costs related to land acquisition, including appraisal and titling;

(3)

operation and maintenance activities;

(4)

facilities that support semiprofessional or professional athletics;

(5)

indoor facilities such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily non-outdoor purposes; or

(6)

acquisition of land or interests in land that restrict access to specific persons.

5.

National park service requirements

In carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program, the Secretary shall—

(1)

conduct an initial screening and technical review of applications received; and

(2)

evaluate and score all qualifying applications.

6.

Reporting

(a)

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—

(1)

summarize project activities conducted during the report period; and

(2)

provide the status of the project.

(b)

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.

7.

Revenue sharing

Section 105(a)(2)(B) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109–432) is amended by inserting before the period at the end , of which 20 percent for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2058 shall be used by the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants under the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program Act.