1. (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. (2) The division may give special consideration to a project from a qualified applicant within rural counties to ensure geographic parity of the awarded money.

3. (3)

   1. (a) An applicant shall use a recreation restoration infrastructure grant to leverage private and other nonstate public money, including cash, resources, goods, or services necessary to complete a project.
   2. (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.
   3. (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. (4) A recreation restoration infrastructure grant may only be awarded by the executive director after consultation with the director and the advisory committee.

5. (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:

   1. (a) a trail, trail head infrastructure, signage, and crossing infrastructure, for both nonmotorized and motorized recreation;
   2. (b) a campground or picnic area;
   3. (c) water recreation infrastructure, including a pier, dock, or boat ramp; and
   4. (d) recreation facilities that are accessible to visitors with disabilities.

6. (6) The following are not eligible for a recreation restoration infrastructure grant:

   1. (a) general facility operations and administrative costs;
   2. (b) land acquisitions;
   3. (c) visitor facilities, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
   4. (d) water and utility systems; and
   5. (e) employee housing.

7. (7) The division shall compile data and annually report, by no later than October 1, to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee on the:

   1. (a) effectiveness of the grant program in addressing the deferred maintenance and repair backlog of trails, campgrounds, and other recreation amenities on public lands;
   2. (b) estimated value of the rehabilitation or restoration projects;
   3. (c) number of miles of trails that are rehabilitated or restored; and
   4. (d) leverage of state money to federal and private money and in-kind services such as volunteer labor.

Amended by Chapter 492, 2026 General Session