HB 12

Enrolled Copy  H.B. 12
1Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Amendments
  2026 GENERAL SESSION
  STATE OF UTAH
  Chief Sponsor: Doug Welton
  Senate Sponsor: Derrin R. Owens
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This bill addresses recreational infrastructure for accessibility in state parks.
6  Highlighted Provisions:
7      This bill:
8      ▸ modifies the term "outdoor recreation project" to include construction of trails or
9  facilities, improvements of trails or facilities, or acquisition of equipment for disabled or
10  adaptive users; and
11      ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
12  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
13      None
14  Other Special Clauses:
15      None
16  Utah Code Sections Affected:
17  AMENDS:
18      79-8-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 68, 274
19
20  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21Section 1. Section 79-8-102 is amended to read:
2279-8-102 . Definitions.
23     As used in this chapter:
24  (1) "Accessible to the general public" in relation to the awarding of an infrastructure grant,
25      means:
26      (a) the public may use the infrastructure in accordance with federal and state regulations;
27and
28      (b) no community or group retains exclusive rights to access the infrastructure.
 H.B. 12  Enrolled Copy
29   (2) "Advisory committee" means the Utah Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory
30Committee created in Section 79-7-206.
31   (3) "Children," in relation to the awarding of a UCORE grant, means individuals who are
32six years old or older and 18 years old or younger.
33   (4) "Director" means the director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
34   (5) "Division" means the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
35   (6) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Department of Natural
36Resources.
37   (7) "Infrastructure grant" means an outdoor recreational infrastructure grant described in
38Section 79-8-401.
39   (8)(a) "Recreational infrastructure project" means an undertaking to build or improve an
40approved facility or installation needed for the public to access and enjoy the state's
41outdoors.
42(b) "Recreational infrastructure project" [may include] includes the:
43(i) establishment, construction, or renovation of a trail, trail infrastructure, or a trail
44facility;
45(ii) construction of a project for a water-related outdoor recreational activity;
46(iii) development of a project for a wildlife watching opportunity, including bird
47watching;
48(iv) development of a project that provides a winter recreation amenity;
49(v) construction or improvement of a community park that has an amenity for
50outdoor recreation;[ and]
51(vi) construction or improvement of a naturalistic and accessible playground[.] ; and
52(vii) construction of a trail or facility, improvement of a trail or facility, or acquisition
53of equipment that improves access for disabled or adaptive users.
54   (9) "UCORE grant" means a children's outdoor recreation and education grant described in
55Section 79-8-302.
56   (10)(a) "Underserved community" means a group of people, including a municipality,
57county, or American Indian tribe, that is economically disadvantaged.
58(b) "Underserved community" includes an economically disadvantaged community
59where in relation to awarding a UCORE grant, the children of the community,
60including children with disabilities, have limited access to outdoor recreation or
61education programs.
62Section 2. Effective Date.
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 Enrolled Copy  H.B. 12
63  This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
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