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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1078 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1078

 To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out programs and 
    activities that connect people in the United States, especially 
           children, youth, and families, with the outdoors.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 23, 2015

 Mr. Heinrich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
       referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
 To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out programs and 
    activities that connect people in the United States, especially 
           children, youth, and families, with the outdoors.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) children today are spending less time outdoors than any 
        generation in human history, as evidenced by studies that show 
        children enjoy half as much time outdoors today as children did 
        just 20 years ago, while children spend more than 7\1/2\ hours 
        every day in front of electronic media;
            (2) the health of children in the United States is at risk 
        as evidenced by the growing obesity crisis in which, during the 
        past 30 years, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled 
        and the adolescent obesity rate has quadrupled, costing the 
        economy of the United States billions of dollars each year;
            (3) the rise in childhood obesity has had a negative 
        economic impact;
            (4) the readiness of the military is declining as nearly 1 
        in 4 applicants to the military is rejected for being 
        overweight or obese, which is the most common reason for 
        medical disqualification;
            (5) research has shown that military children and families 
        are facing increased stress and mental strain and challenges 
        due to multiple, extended deployments;
            (6) military family service organizations have developed 
        programs that connect military children and families with 
        positive, meaningful outdoor experiences that benefit mental 
        and physical health, but the programs lack sufficient resources 
        to meet increasing demand;
            (7) the outdoor retail industry, many local tourist 
        destinations or ``gateway communities'', and State fish and 
        wildlife agencies rely on revenue generated from individuals 
        spending time outdoors to create jobs in local communities;
            (8) over the past several years, urbanization, changing 
        land use patterns, increasing road traffic, and inadequate 
        solutions to addressing those challenges in the built 
        environment have combined to make it more difficult for many 
        people in the United States to walk or bike to schools, parks, 
        and play areas or experience the natural environment;
            (9) spending time in green spaces outside the home, 
        including public land, parks, play areas, and gardens--
                    (A) increases concentration, inhibition of initial 
                impulses, and self-discipline in children; and
                    (B) has been shown to reduce stress and mental 
                fatigue in children;
            (10) in one study, children who were exposed to greener 
        environments in a public housing area demonstrated less 
        aggression, violence, and stress;
            (11) visitation to public land in the United States has 
        declined or remained flat in recent years, and yet, connecting 
        with nature and the great outdoors in communities is critical 
        to fostering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts who 
        will visit, appreciate, and become stewards of the public land 
        in the United States;
            (12) spending time outdoors in nature--
                    (A) is beneficial to the physical, mental, and 
                emotional health of children; and
                    (B) has been proven--
                            (i) to decrease symptoms of attention 
                        deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children;
                            (ii) to stimulate brain development, 
                        improve motor skills, result in better sleep, 
                        reduce stress, increase creativity, and improve 
                        moods in children; and
                            (iii) to reduce the risk of developing 
                        myopia in children;
            (13) children who spend time playing outside are more 
        likely to take risks, seek out adventure, develop self-
        confidence, and respect the value of nature;
            (14) a direct childhood experience with nature before the 
        age of 11 promotes a long-term connection to nature;
            (15) conservation education and outdoor recreation 
        experiences such as camping, hiking, boating, hunting, fishing, 
        archery, recreational shooting, wildlife watching, and other 
        experiences are critical to engaging young people in the 
        outdoors;
            (16) as children become more disconnected from the natural 
        world, the hunting and angling conservation legacy of the 
        United States is at risk;
            (17) hunters and anglers play a critical role in 
        reconnecting young people with nature, protecting the natural 
        resources of the United States, and fostering a lifelong 
        understanding of the value of conserving the natural world;
            (18) research demonstrates that hunters that become engaged 
        in hunting as children are among the most active and interested 
        hunters as adults;
            (19) the vast majority of hunters report that the hunters 
        were introduced to hunting between the ages of 10 and 12, with 
        the overwhelming majority of children being introduced to 
        hunting by an adult;
            (20) parks and recreation, youth-serving, service-learning, 
        conservation, health, education, and built-environment 
        organizations, facilities, and personnel provide critical 
        resources and infrastructure for connecting children and 
        families with nature;
            (21) it takes many dedicated people to work to preserve, 
        protect, enhance, and restore natural resources in the United 
        States;
            (22) with an aging workforce in the natural resource 
        professions, it is critical for the next generation to have an 
        appreciation for nature and be ready to take over the 
        responsibilities relating to the natural resources of the 
        United States;
            (23) place-based service-learning opportunities use land 
        and water as the context for learning by engaging students in 
        the process of exploration, action, and reflection;
            (24) physical activity outdoors connected with meaningful 
        community service to solve real-world problems, such as 
        removing invasive plants or removing trash from a streambed, 
        strengthens communities by engaging youth as citizen stewards;
            (25) States and community-based partners have some notable 
        programs that connect children and families with nature, yet 
        most States lack sufficient resources and a comprehensive 
        strategy to effectively engage State agencies across multiple 
        fields; and
            (26) States need to engage in cross-sector agency and 
        nonprofit collaboration that involves public health and 
        wellness, parks and recreation, transportation and city 
        planning, and other sectors focused on connecting children and 
        families with the outdoors to increase coordination and 
        effective implementation of the policy tools and programs that 
        a State can bring to bear to provide outdoor opportunities for 
        children and families.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a State; or
                    (B) a consortium from one State that includes the 
                State and local partners.
            (2) Local partner.--The term ``local partner'' means--
                    (A) a unit of local government;
                    (B) a tribal government;
                    (C) a parks and recreation department or district;
                    (D) a school district;
                    (E) an institution of higher education;
                    (F) a nonprofit organization; and
                    (G) a consortium of entities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (F).
            (3) National strategy.--The term ``national strategy'' 
        means the national strategy developed under section 5(a).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
        the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any other 
        territory or possession of the United States, or any Indian 
        tribe.
            (6) State strategy.--The term ``State strategy'' means a 
        State strategy developed under section 4(a).

SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OR IMPLEMENTATION OF 
              HEALTHY KIDS OUTDOORS STATE STRATEGIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary may issue to an eligible entity a 
cooperative agreement for each State for the development, 
implementation, and updating by the eligible entity of a 5-year State 
strategy, to be known as a ``Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy'', 
that is designed to encourage people in the United States (especially 
children, youth, and families) to be physically active outdoors.
    (b) Submission and Approval of Strategies.--
            (1) Applications.--An application for a cooperative 
        agreement under subsection (a) shall--
                    (A) be submitted by the eligible entity to the 
                Secretary not later than 120 days after the date on 
                which the Secretary publishes guidelines under 
                subsection (f)(1); and
                    (B) include--
                            (i) a State strategy that meets the 
                        requirements of subsection (c), as determined 
                        by the Secretary; or
                            (ii) a proposal for the development and 
                        submission to the Secretary of a State 
                        strategy.
            (2) Approval of strategy; peer review.--Not later than 90 
        days after the date on which a State strategy is submitted 
        under paragraph (1)(B)(i), the Secretary shall, through a peer 
        review process, approve, or recommend changes to, the State 
        strategy.
            (3) State strategy updates.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives 
                funds under this section shall update the State 
                strategy at least once every 5 years.
                    (B) Funding.--Funding to an eligible entity under 
                this section shall be terminated if the eligible entity 
                does not--
                            (i) update the State strategy in accordance 
                        with subparagraph (A); or
                            (ii) provide to the Secretary reports that 
                        document--
                                    (I) the results of evaluation 
                                methods consistent with the guidelines 
                                published under subsection (f)(1); and
                                    (II) lessons learned from 
                                implementing the State strategy.
    (c) Comprehensive Strategy Requirements.--Each State strategy shall 
include--
            (1) a description of ways in which the eligible entity will 
        encourage people in the United States (especially children, 
        youth, and families) to be physically active in the outdoors 
        through--
                    (A) State, local, and tribal--
                            (i) public health systems;
                            (ii) public parks and recreation systems; 
                        and
                            (iii) public transportation and city 
                        planning systems; and
                    (B) other public systems that connect people in the 
                United States (especially children, youth, and 
                families) to the outdoors;
            (2) a description of ways in which the eligible entity will 
        partner with nongovernmental organizations (including 
        organizations serving military families and tribal agencies), 
        with an emphasis on organizations serving children, youth, and 
        families;
            (3) a description of ways in which State agencies will 
        collaborate with each other to implement the State strategy;
            (4) a description of ways in which funding will be expended 
        through local planning and implementation subgrants under 
        subsection (d);
            (5) a description of ways in which the eligible entity will 
        evaluate the effectiveness of, and measure the impact of, the 
        State strategy, including an estimate of the costs associated 
        with the evaluation;
            (6) a description of ways in which the eligible entity will 
        provide opportunities for public involvement in developing and 
        implementing the State strategy;
            (7) a description of ways in which the State strategy will 
        increase visitation to Federal public land within the State; 
        and
            (8) a description of ways in which the eligible entity will 
        leverage private funds to expand opportunities and further 
        implement the State strategy.
    (d) Local Planning and Implementation.--
            (1) In general.--A State strategy shall provide for the 
        provision of subgrants from the eligible entity to local 
        partners to implement the State strategy through one or more of 
        the program activities described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Program activities.--Program activities referred to in 
        paragraph (1) may include--
                    (A) implementing outdoor recreation and youth 
                mentoring programs that provide opportunities to 
                experience the outdoors, be physically active, and 
                teach skills for lifelong participation in outdoor 
                activities, including fishing, hunting, recreational 
                shooting, archery, hiking, camping, outdoor play in 
                natural environments, and wildlife watching;
                    (B) implementing programs that connect communities 
                with safe parks, green spaces, and outdoor recreation 
                areas through affordable public transportation and 
                trail systems that encourage walking, biking, and 
                increased physical activity outdoors;
                    (C) implementing--
                            (i) school-based programs that use outdoor 
                        learning environments, such as wildlife 
                        habitats or gardens; and
                            (ii) programs that use service learning to 
                        restore natural areas and maintain recreational 
                        assets; and
                    (D) implementing education programs for parents and 
                caregivers about the health benefits of active time 
                outdoors to fight obesity and increase the quality of 
                life for people in the United States (especially 
                children, youth, and families).
    (e) Priority.--In making cooperative agreements under subsection 
(a) and subgrants under subsection (d)(1), the Secretary and the 
eligible entity, respectively, shall give preference to eligible 
entities and local partners that serve individuals that have limited 
opportunities to experience nature, including individuals that--
            (1) are socioeconomically disadvantaged;
            (2) have a disability; or
            (3) suffer disproportionately from physical and mental 
        health stressors.
    (f) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and after notice and opportunity for public 
comment, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register guidelines 
on the implementation of this Act, including guidelines for--
            (1) developing and submitting strategies and evaluation 
        methods under subsection (b); and
            (2) technical assistance and dissemination of best 
        practices under section 7.
    (g) Reports.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
Secretary approves the State strategy of an eligible entity receiving 
funds under this section, and every year thereafter, the eligible 
entity shall submit to the Secretary a report on the implementation of 
the State strategy based on the evaluation and assessment of the 
eligible entity in meeting the goals specified in the State strategy.
    (h) Allocation of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving amounts from 
a cooperative agreement issued under subsection (a) for a fiscal year--
            (1) may use not more than 5 percent of the funding for 
        administrative expenses; and
            (2) shall use at least 95 percent of the funding to provide 
        subgrants to local partners under subsection (d).
    (i) Matching Requirement.--An eligible entity receiving amounts 
from a cooperative agreement issued under subsection (a) for a fiscal 
year shall provide a 25-percent match through in-kind contributions or 
cash.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ENCOURAGING PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES 
              TO BE ACTIVE OUTDOORS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2016, the President, 
in cooperation with the heads of appropriate Federal departments and 
agencies, shall develop and issue a national strategy for encouraging 
people in the United States (especially children, youth, and families) 
to be physically active outdoors.
    (b) Requirements.--The strategy developed under subsection (a) 
shall include--
            (1) the identification of--
                    (A) barriers to people in the United States 
                (especially children, youth, and families) spending 
                time outdoors; and
                    (B) specific policy solutions to address the 
                barriers identified under subparagraph (A);
            (2) the identification of opportunities for partnerships 
        with Federal, State, tribal, and local partners;
            (3) the coordination of efforts among the heads of 
        appropriate Federal departments and agencies to address the 
        impacts of people in the United States (especially children, 
        youth, and families) spending less active time outdoors on--
                    (A) public health, including childhood obesity, 
                attention deficit disorders and stress;
                    (B) the future of conservation in the United 
                States; and
                    (C) the economy of the United States;
            (4) the identification of ongoing research needs to 
        document the health, conservation, economic, and other outcomes 
        of implementing the national strategy and State strategies;
            (5) the coordination and alignment of the national strategy 
        with State strategies; and
            (6) an action plan for implementing the national strategy 
        at the Federal level.
    (c) Strategy Development.--
            (1) Public participation.--Throughout the process of 
        developing the national strategy under this section, the 
        President--
                    (A) may use, incorporate, or otherwise consider 
                existing Federal plans and strategies that, in whole or 
                in part, contribute to connecting people in the United 
                States, especially children, youth, and families, with 
                the outdoors; and
                    (B) shall provide for public participation, 
                including a national summit of participants with 
                demonstrated expertise in encouraging individuals to be 
                physically active outdoors in nature.
            (2) Updating the national strategy.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall update the 
                national strategy not later than 5 years after the date 
                on which the first national strategy is issued under 
                subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter.
                    (B) Requirements.--In updating the national 
                strategy under subparagraph (A), the President shall 
                incorporate results of the evaluation under section 6.

SEC. 6. NATIONAL EVALUATION OF HEALTH IMPACTS.

    The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, shall--
            (1) develop recommendations for appropriate evaluation 
        measures and criteria for a study of national significance on 
        the health impacts of the national strategy and State 
        strategies under this Act; and
            (2) carry out the study under paragraph (1).

SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES.

    The Secretary shall--
            (1) provide technical assistance to eligible entities and 
        local partners under section 4 through cooperative agreements 
        with national organizations with a proven track record of 
        encouraging people in the United States (especially children, 
        youth, and families) to be physically active outdoors; and
            (2) disseminate best practices that emerge from strategies 
        funded under this Act.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary to carry out this Act--
            (1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
            (2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and
            (3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
    (b) Limitation.--Of the amounts made available to carry out this 
Act for a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be made available 
for carrying out section 7.
    (c) Other Funds.--Funds made available under this Act shall be used 
to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local 
funds available for activities that encourage people in the United 
States (especially children, youth, and families) to be physically 
active outdoors.
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