1     
ADOPT-THE-OUTDOORS PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Doug Owens

5     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill creates an Adopt-the-Outdoors Program.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     creates an Adopt-the-Outdoors Program;
14          ▸     permits a person to sponsor a recreational outdoor location;
15          ▸     grants the department rulemaking authority to administer the Adopt-the-Outdoors
16     Program; and
17          ▸     requires the department to appoint a manager to administer the Adopt-the-Outdoors
18     Program.
19     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20          None
21     Other Special Clauses:
22          None
23     Utah Code Sections Affected:
24     AMENDS:
25          63I-1-279, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 68
26     ENACTS:
27          79-7-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953

28          79-7-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
29     

30     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
31          Section 1. Section 63I-1-279 is amended to read:
32          63I-1-279. Repeal dates: Title 79.
33          (1) Subsection 79-2-201(2)(p), related to the Heritage Trees Advisory Committee, is
34     repealed July 1, 2026.
35          (2) Subsection 79-2-201(2)(q), related to the Utah Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure
36     Advisory Committee, is repealed July 1, 2027.
37          (3) Subsection 79-2-201(2)(r)(i), related to an advisory council created by the Division
38     of Outdoor Recreation to advise on boating policies, is repealed July 1, 2024.
39          (4) Subsection 79-2-201(2)(s), related to the Wildlife Board Nominating Committee, is
40     repealed July 1, 2023.
41          (5) Subsection 79-2-201(2)(t), related to regional advisory councils for the Wildlife
42     Board, is repealed July 1, 2023.
43          (6) Section 79-7-206, creating the Utah Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory
44     Committee, is repealed July 1, 2027.
45          (7) Section 79-7-207, creating the Adopt-the-Outdoors Program, is repealed July 1,
46     2028.
47          [(7)] (8) Title 79, Chapter 8, Part 4, Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant
48     Program, is repealed January 1, 2028.
49          Section 2. Section 79-7-501 is enacted to read:
50          79-7-501. Definitions.
51          As used in this part:
52          (1) "Manager" means the individual appointed by the director under Section 79-7-502.
53          (2) "Program" means the Adopt-the-Outdoors Program created in Section 79-7-502
54     that provides a person the opportunity to adopt a recreational outdoor location for trail
55     maintenance, enhancement, and development.
56          (3) "Recreational outdoor location" means:
57          (a) a trail, trailhead infrastructure, signs, or crossing infrastructure, for either
58     nonmotorized or motorized recreation;

59          (b) a campground or picnic area;
60          (c) water recreation infrastructure, including a pier, dock, or boat ramp; or
61          (d) a recreation facility that is accessible to visitors with disabilities.
62          Section 3. Section 79-7-502 is enacted to read:
63          79-7-502. Adopt-the-Outdoors Program.
64          (1) There is created within the division the Adopt-the-Outdoors Program, under the
65     general supervision of the director or the director's designee, to:
66          (a) permit a person to volunteer labor or funding to clean or maintain a recreational
67     outdoor location; and
68          (b) recognize the person providing the labor or funding via a sign or other indication.
69          (2) The division shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
70     Administrative Rulemaking Act, to administer the program, including rules for:
71          (a) recreational outdoor location maintenance;
72          (b) partnerships between private and public entities; and
73          (c) the duties of the manager.
74          (3) The director shall appoint a manager to administer the program.
75          (4) A person desiring to adopt a recreational outdoor location shall submit an
76     application to the division on a form provided by the division.