Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 200 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Cutler, Paul A.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/19/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• modifies the lands that the governor may keep open and operational during a fiscal emergency;
• changes the reporting subcommittee for the Division of Outdoor Recreation report on recreation restoration infrastructure grants; and
• makes technical and conforming changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

15
79-7-602
79-8-203
0
Outdoor Recreation Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Paul A. Cutler
Senate Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
modifies the lands that the governor may keep open and operational during a fiscal 
emergency;
changes the reporting subcommittee for the Division of Outdoor Recreation report on 
recreation restoration infrastructure grants; and
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
79-7-602
, 
Effective 
05/07/25
Repealed 
07/01/29
 as renumbered and amended by 
Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 88
79-8-203
, 
Effective 
05/07/25
 as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2021, 
Chapter 280
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
79-7-602
 is amended to read:
79-7-602
Effective 
05/07/25
Repealed 
07/01/29
. Governor's duties -- Priority 
of federal property.
(1)
During a fiscal emergency, the governor shall:
(a)
if financially practicable, work with the federal government to open and maintain the 
operation of one or more national parks, national monuments, national forests, 
and 
national recreation areas
, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service
 in the state, in the order established under this section; and
(b)
report to the speaker of the House
 of Representatives
 and the president of the Senate 
on the need, if any, for additional appropriations to assist the division in opening and 
operating one or more national parks, national monuments, national forests, 
and 
national recreation areas
, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service
 in the state.
(2)
The
In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation, in consultation with the executive 
director of the Department of Natural Resources, shall 
determine, by rule,
make rules to 
determine
 the priority of national parks, national monuments, national forests, 
and 
national recreation areas
, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service
 in the state.
(3)
In determining the priority described in Subsection (2), the director of the Division of 
Outdoor Recreation shall consider the:
(a)
economic impact of the national park, national monument, national forest, 
or 
national recreation area
, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service
 in the state; and
(b)
recreational value offered by the national park, national monument, national forest, 
or 
national recreation area
, and lands managed by the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service
.
(4)
The director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation shall annually review the priority set 
under Subsection (2) to determine whether the priority list should be amended.
Section 2, Section 
79-8-203
 is amended to read:
79-8-203
Effective 
05/07/25
. Award of recreation restoration infrastructure 
grants.
(1)
In determining the award of a recreation restoration infrastructure grant, the advisory 
committee shall prioritize projects that the advisory committee considers to be high 
demand outdoor recreation amenities or high priority trails.
(2)
The division may give special consideration to 
projects from qualified applicants
a 
project from a qualified applicant
 within rural counties to ensure geographic parity of 
the awarded money.
(3)
(a)
An applicant shall use a recreation restoration infrastructure grant to leverage 
private and other nonstate public money
 and the division may give priority to 
projects that exceed a 50% match from the applicant
, including cash, resources, 
goods, or services necessary to complete a project
.
(b)
The division may give priority to a project from an applicant that contributes a 50% 
or greater financial match from the applicant or other private and nonstate public 
money.
(b)
Leverage includes cash, resources, goods, or services necessary to complete a 
project.
(c)
The division shall apply money from a cooperative agreement entered into with the 
United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Department of the 
Interior as a portion of the applicant's match.
(4)
A recreation restoration infrastructure grant may only be awarded by the executive 
director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.
(5)
A recreation restoration infrastructure grant is available for rehabilitation or restoration 
projects for high demand outdoor recreation amenities and high priority trails that relate 
directly to the visitor including:
(a)
a trail, trail head infrastructure, signage, and crossing infrastructure, for both 
nonmotorized and motorized recreation;
(b)
a campground or picnic area;
(c)
water recreation infrastructure, including a pier, dock, or boat ramp; and
(d)
recreation facilities that are accessible to visitors with disabilities.
(6)
The following are not eligible for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant:
(a)
general facility operations and administrative costs;
(b)
land acquisitions;
(c)
visitor facilities, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with 
Title 
63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act
;
(d)
water and utility systems; and
(e)
employee housing.
(7)
The division shall compile data and report to the 
Business, Economic Development, 
and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee
Natural Resources, Agriculture, and 
Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee
 on the:
(a)
effectiveness of the grant program in addressing the deferred maintenance and repair 
backlog of trails, campgrounds, and other recreation amenities on public lands;
(b)
estimated value of the rehabilitation or restoration projects;
(c)
number of miles of trails that are rehabilitated or restored; and
(d)
leverage of state money to federal and private money and in-kind services such as 
volunteer labor.
Section 3. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-11-25 3:28 PM