STATE AND LOCAL issues
Governors, state legislators, county commissioners, mayors and other policymakers understand the value of outdoor recreation for their local economies and communities. OIA provides state and district outdoor recreation economy data, so that you see its power wherever you live. Getting involved locally can net big results in the long term
California - AB 1111: Office of Outdoor Recreation
This bill would help strengthen California’s outdoor recreation economy – by far the largest of any state – and ensures that the office will work towards increasing opportunities for underserved communities.
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New Hampshire - SB 234: OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
This bill would improve New Hampshire’s economy by investing in an emerging, and fast growing, sector of the economy and ensure that New Hampshirites have the skills to meet future workforce demands.
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MINNESOTA - OUTDOOR RECREATION OFFICE
This office would be the first of its kind in the Midwest and provide Minnesota the opportunity to leverage its outdoor heritage to meet a fast-growing sector of the economy.
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Nevada - AB 486: NEVADA DIVISION OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
The Division of Outdoor Recreation, proposed by AB 486 will task two administrators with overseeing the development of businesses in Nevada’s outdoor recreation economy, and preserving natural resources for outdoor recreation. Collectively, the administrators are tasked with promoting the growth of Nevada’s outdoor recreation economy, advocating on behalf of Nevada for federal funding, coordinate recreation policy among local, state and federal government entities, promote the health and social benefits of outdoor recreation, and promote engagement in the outdoors among diverse communities.
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MASSACHUSETTS - S. 484: OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
This office will work to increase the benefits outdoor recreation contributes to the Commonwealth’s economy and ensures that access to the benefits of a life outdoors is available to everyone.
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Oregon - HB 3251: FUNDING THE NEXT BIG OUTDOOR BUSINESS
This bill would provide $500,000 in the next biennium to invest in the state’s outdoor recreation industry. This bill will demonstrate Oregon’s commitment to outdoor recreation as a significant contributor to the state’s economy
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WASHINGTON - OPPOSE: EXCISE TAX ON OUTDOOR GEAR
This bill would create confusion for and place a heavy burden on retailers across the state, who would struggle to identify applicable products for the new tax. OIA recognizes the need for and supports increased conservation funding, we believe there are better alternatives to fund conservation without an additional burden placed upon retailers, and without increasing barriers for participation.
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California - AB 209: OUTDOOR EQUITY GRANTS PROGRAM
This bill would fund programs to educate California youth on health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle, and foster a stewardship ethic for future generations
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California - AB 556: ENHANCING COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS
This bill would allow grants to provide transportation for underserved Californians, allowing them to experience and benefit from access to California’s public lands.
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Arizona - HB 2390/SB 1509: RE-ESTABLISHING THE STATE PARKS BOARD HERITAGE FUND
This bill would provide Arizona’s state parks board significant amounts of existing revenue ($10M) to improve outdoor experiences, acquire new public lands, and provide environmental education Arizonans.
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Nevada - AB 331: CREATE THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM
This bill would create a program, the Outdoor Education and Recreation Grant Program, to help Nevada’s students improve academic performance and understanding of the natural world through outdoor education. Importantly, this bill would prioritize funding for at-risk students who could benefit most from these programs.
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MOntana - HB 760: IMPROVED GPS DATA ON MT PUBLIC LANDS
This bill will assemble a panel representing a broad range of outdoor recreation user groups, charged with finding the best way to collect data, and create GIS layers for mobile apps, on the status of roads on state recreation lands. Additionally, the panel will review funding sources, such as the fee for recreational use on state trust lands and wildlife conservation license plates
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MINNESOTA - HF 2704: BRING MN PARKS TO ADA STANDARDS
This appropriations bill provides funding for capital improvements for state-owned entities, such as the University of Minnesota and other state colleges and universities. Additionally, it would appropriate $131 million to the state’s Natural Resources Department to bring state parks to ADA standards, renovate or replace facilities (using the most energy-efficient and carbon-reducing method), provide grants for local parks and trails, as well as provide funding to acquire, restore and reforest the state’s public lands.
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