Bill > H902

This bill establishes an Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, creating a new director position to promote and support outdoor recreation across Massachusetts. The office will have broad responsibilities including advancing the outdoor recreation economy, improving access to recreational opportunities, coordinating across government agencies, and serving as a central point of contact for the outdoor recreation industry. The director will be responsible for creating a strategic plan, establishing performance metrics, securing funding through grants and partnerships, coordinating with state agencies, representing Massachusetts in regional networks, and developing marketing materials to attract visitors and investments. The bill also creates an Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to provide competitive grants for programs and initiatives related to outdoor recreation, which will be administered by the director and can receive funding from public and private sources. The definition of "recreational use" is specifically defined to include activities in natural environments like trails, parks, and community gardens, while explicitly excluding indoor sports venues and horse racing. The office aims to promote Massachusetts as an attractive place to work, live, and recreate while improving quality of life for residents and visitors through comprehensive outdoor recreation strategies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H902