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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6548-S6552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED:
  S. 3582. A bill to improve quality and accountability for educator 
preparation programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, we know that public education lays the 
foundation for economic growth and the ongoing vitality of our 
democracy.
  We also know that there is more work to be done to improve our 
schools. To achieve this goal, we need to focus on the professionals 
who have the greatest impact on student learning at school--teachers 
and principals.
  Last year, I introduced the Effective Teaching and Leading Act to 
support teachers, librarians, and principals currently on the job 
through a comprehensive system of induction, professional development, 
and evaluation.
  Today, I am pleased to be introducing the Educator Preparation Reform 
Act with Representative Honda to improve how we prepare teachers, 
principals, and other educators so that they can be effective right 
from the start.
  Our legislation builds on the success of the Teacher Quality 
Partnership Program, which I helped author. We have added a specific 
focus on principals with the addition of a residency program for new 
principals.
  Improving instruction is a team effort, with principals at the helm. 
This bill better connects teacher preparation with principal 
preparation. The Educator Preparation Reform Act will also allow 
partnerships to develop preparation programs for other areas of 
instructional need, such as for school librarians, counselors, or other 
academic support professionals.
  The bill revamps the accountability and reporting requirements for 
teacher preparation programs to provide greater transparency on key 
quality measures such as admissions standards, requirements for 
clinical practice, placement of graduates, retention in the field of 
teaching, and teacher performance, including student learning outcomes.
  All programs, whether traditional or alternative routes to 
certification, will report on the same measures.
  Under this legislation, states will be required to identify at-risk 
and low performing programs and provide them with technical assistance 
and a timeline for improvement. Programs that are at-risk or low 
performing will be restricted in their ability to offer TEACH grants. 
States would be encouraged to close programs that do not improve.
  The Educator Preparation Reform Act refocuses the state set-aside for 
higher education in Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act on activities to support the development and implementation of 
performance assessments to measure new teachers' readiness for the 
classroom and for technical assistance for struggling teacher 
preparation programs.
  We have been fortunate to work with many stakeholders in developing 
the key provisions of this legislation. Organizations that have 
endorsed the Educator Preparation Reform Act include: the Alliance for 
Excellent Education, American Association of Colleges for Teacher 
Education, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 
American Council on Education, American Psychological Association, 
Association of American Universities, Association of Jesuit Colleges 
and Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, 
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, First Focus Campaign 
for Children, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, 
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Association 
of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Independent 
Colleges and Universities, National Association of Secondary School 
Principals, National Association of State Directors of Special 
Education,

[[Page S6549]]

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers 
Association, National School Boards Association Opportunity to Learn 
Action Fund, Public Education Network, Rural School and Community 
Trust, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, Teacher Education Division 
of the Council for Exceptional Children, American Association of 
Colleges of Teacher Education, The Higher Education Task Force, 
National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National 
Association of Secondary School Principals.
  I look forward to working with these organizations, my colleagues, 
and others as I seek to include this legislation during the effort next 
Congress to reauthorize both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
and the Higher Education Act. I encourage my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this legislation.
      By Mrs. HAGAN (for herself, Mr. Kerry, and Mrs. Gillibrand):
  S. 3583. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development to establish and carry out a community revitalization 
program to provide Federal grants to communities for the rehabilitation 
of critically needed parks, recreational areas, and facilities, the 
development of improved recreational programs, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mrs. HAGAN. Mr. President, I rise today to highlight the impact that 
local parks, greenways, and recreational opportunities have in 
neighborhoods and communities across the country.
  Many Americans are dealing with the effects of a stagnant economy, 
the rising cost of health care, and threats to the overall quality of 
life in their communities. Research shows that investment in parks and 
recreation creates jobs, attracts business, increases property values, 
positively impacts public health, promotes conservation in a non-
regulatory fashion, and contributes to a higher quality of life for 
hard-working Americans and their families. Additionally, recreation for 
disabled veterans has proven to be a powerful tool in the 
rehabilitation process, providing a number of significant therapeutic 
benefits for those who have served our country. Yet, many of our most 
populated areas are suffering from limited green space, deteriorating 
community facilities, and a lack of access to safe, quality recreation 
opportunities.
  I have seen first-hand the tremendous impact that parks, greenways, 
and recreation opportunities have had in my hometown of Greensboro, a 
three time winner of the National Recreation and Park Association's 
Gold Medal Award. North Carolina's beautiful capital city, Raleigh, 
which is often referred to as ``a city within a park'', has been 
recognized over the last several years by publications such as Forbes, 
Business Week, and the Wall Street Journal as the best city for 
business, best city for jobs, and the nation's best place to live. All 
of these accolades are due in large part to the high quality of the 
parks and recreational facilities present throughout the community and 
were often noted when describing the criteria for making these ``best 
of'' selections.
  For all of these reasons, today I am introducing the Community Parks 
Revitalization Act with Senator Kerry and Senator Gillibrand. The bill 
will authorize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to 
provide grants and technical assistance to rehabilitate community parks 
and recreational infrastructure. This legislation would also help 
communities provide improved opportunities for returning veterans, 
military families, and at-risk youth. Specifically, the Community Parks 
for Revitalization Act would provide matching grants to support 
localities by creating jobs and leveraging private investment by 
supporting capital projects that rehabilitate, and construct new, parks 
and recreation areas and facilities.
  The act will combat childhood obesity by connecting youth with the 
outdoors and improving overall public health by increasing access to 
recreational areas and facilities; by providing innovative, cost-
effective, and non-regulatory solutions to environmental challenges; 
and by addressing the recreation needs of disabled veterans, military 
families, as well as disadvantaged youth.
  I ask all of my colleagues to please join me in supporting this 
timely legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3583

       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 ``Community Parks 
     Revitalization Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) According to the 2010 United States Census, over 80 
     percent of the population of the United States lives in urban 
     areas.
       (2) Urban parks are a critical part of our Nation's urban 
     infrastructure, playing a vital role in revitalizing 
     neighborhoods, stimulating our Nation's economy, combating 
     national issues such as obesity and juvenile delinquency, and 
     protecting our environment.
       (3) Urban parks are a catalyst for active outdoor 
     recreation, an industry which in 2010 supported 6,100,000 
     American jobs, generated $646,000,000,000 in retail sales and 
     services across the United States, generated $39,900,000,000 
     in Federal tax revenues, and $39,900,000,000 in State and 
     local tax revenues.
       (4) Studies also show that approximately 20 jobs are 
     created for every $1,000,000 invested in parks and 
     conservation projects.
       (5) Studies have found that parkland saves cities millions 
     of dollars in storm water management and air pollution 
     expenses by capturing precipitation, reducing runoff, and 
     absorbing air pollutants.
       (6) Between 2001 and 2012, as funding for local parks and 
     recreation significantly declined, the number of adults 
     classified as overweight or obese steadily increased from 61 
     percent to 67 percent. Similarly, during this same period, 
     the number of children and adolescents classified as 
     overweight or obese nearly tripled, going from 12 percent in 
     2001 to 33 percent in 2011.
       (7) Physical inactivity contributes to obesity and takes a 
     toll on our Nation's economy, as the annual costs of medical 
     spending and lost productivity from individuals in the United 
     States being obese and overweight are estimated to be 
     $147,000,000,000. Access to urban parks is critical to 
     combating this issue. A study by the Centers for Disease 
     Control found that the creation of, or enhanced access to, 
     places for physical activity, such as parks, led to a 25.6 
     percent increase in the percentage of people exercising on 3 
     or more days a week which improves the physical and mental 
     health of our citizens.
       (8) Access to urban parks is critical to combating obesity 
     and its residual impact on health care expenses. A study by 
     the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the 
     creation of, or enhanced access to, places for physical 
     activity, such as parks, led to a 25.6 percent increase in 
     the percentage of people exercising on 3 or more days a week, 
     which improves the physical and mental health of our 
     citizens.
       (9) According to the Centers for Disease control and 
     Prevention, over the 25 years preceding the date of enactment 
     of this Act, rates of obesity have more than tripled among 
     adolescents ages 12 to 19 and doubled among adults ages 20 to 
     74 and children ages 6 to 11.
       (10) Physical inactivity contributes to obesity. A study by 
     the CDC found that the creation of, or enhanced access to, 
     places for physical activity led to a 25.6 percent increase 
     in the percentage of people exercising on 3 or more days a 
     week. Physical activity can improve physical and mental 
     health. The annual costs of medical spending and lost 
     productivity from individuals in the United States being 
     obese and overweight are estimated to be $147,000,000,000.
       (11) Urban parks also decrease juvenile delinquency by 
     providing quality after school programs. According to the 
     Juvenile Justice Bulletin, without structured, supervised 
     activities in the after school hours, youth are at greater 
     risk of being victims of crime or participating in anti-
     social behaviors, especially during the hours of 2:00 pm to 
     6:00 pm.
       (12) The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center 
     reported that students who spend no time in extracurricular 
     activities, such as those offered in after-school programs 
     through parks and recreation agencies, are 49 percent more 
     likely to have used drugs and 37 percent more likely to 
     become teen parents than are those students who spend 1 to 4 
     hours per week in extracurricular activities.
       (13) According to the Juvenile Justice Bulletin, without 
     structured, supervised activities in the after-school hours, 
     youth are at greater risk of being victims of crime or 
     participating in anti-social behaviors. Juveniles are at the 
     highest risk of being a victim of crime between 2:00 p.m. and 
     6:00 p.m., and the peak hour for juvenile crime is between 
     3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., the first hour after most students 
     are dismissed from school.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to authorize the Secretary to establish and carry out a 
     community revitalization program to provide Federal grants to 
     communities for the rehabilitation of critically

[[Page S6550]]

     needed parks, recreational areas, and facilities, the 
     development of improved recreational programs, and for other 
     purposes;
       (2) to improve urban areas through economic development;
       (3) to prevent and improve chronic disease outcomes, 
     including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and 
     obesity;
       (4) to improve recreational areas and facilities and expand 
     recreation services in urban areas with a high incidence of 
     crime and to help expand recreation opportunities for at-risk 
     youth;
       (5) to promote collaboration between local agencies 
     involved in parks and recreation, law enforcement, youth 
     social services, and juvenile justice system;
       (6) to ensure accessibility to therapeutic recreation 
     services and to provide recreation opportunities for injured 
     or disabled members of the Armed Forces; and
       (7) to encourage the rehabilitation of existing and 
     construction of new urban recreational areas and facilities 
     with environmentally beneficial components, when possible, 
     such as sustainable landscape features and upcycled and 
     recycled materials, and to prioritize the selection of 
     projects that provide environmental benefits to urban areas, 
     including by updating lighting, planting trees, increasing 
     the urban forestry canopy, improving stormwater management, 
     increasing green infrastructure, employing water conservation 
     measures, and adding green spaces to urban areas.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
       (1) The term ``recreational areas and facilities'' means 
     indoor or outdoor parks, buildings, sites, or other 
     facilities that are dedicated to recreation purposes and 
     administered by public or private nonprofit agencies to serve 
     the recreation needs of community residents, with emphasis on 
     public facilities readily accessible to residential 
     neighborhoods, including multiple-use community centers that 
     have recreation as a primary purpose, but excluding major 
     sports arenas, exhibition areas, and conference halls used 
     primarily for commercial sports, spectator, or display 
     activities.
       (2) The term ``rehabilitation and construction grants'' 
     means matching capital grants to local governments for the 
     purpose of rebuilding, remodeling, expanding, or developing 
     existing or building new recreational areas and facilities, 
     including improvements in park landscapes, infrastructure, 
     buildings, and support facilities, and the provision of 
     lighting, emergency phones, or other capital improvements to 
     improve the security of urban parks, but excluding routine 
     maintenance and upkeep activities.
       (3) The term ``innovation and recreation program'' grants 
     means matching grants to local governments to cover costs of 
     personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, or services 
     designed to demonstrate innovative and cost effective ways to 
     augment park and recreation opportunities, or support new or 
     existing programs, which increase access to recreation 
     opportunities for returning veterans and active duty military 
     and their families or provide constructive alternatives for 
     youth at risk for engaging in criminal behavior.
       (4) The term ``recovery action program grants'' means 
     matching grants to local governments for development of local 
     park and recreation recovery action programs, including for 
     resource and needs assessment, coordination, citizen 
     involvement and planning, and program development activities 
     to encourage public definition of goals and develop 
     priorities and strategies for overall recreation system 
     recovery.
       (5) The term ``maintenance'' means all commonly accepted 
     practices necessary to keep recreational areas and facilities 
     operating in a state of good repair and to protect such areas 
     and facilities from deterioration resulting from normal wear 
     and tear.
       (6) The term ``local government'' means any city, county, 
     town, township, parish, village, or any local or regional 
     special district such as a park district, conservation 
     district, or park authority.
       (7) The term ``private nonprofit agency'' means a 
     community-based, non-profit organization, corporation, or 
     association organized for purposes of providing recreation, 
     conservation, and educational services directly to urban 
     residents on either a neighborhood or community-wide basis 
     through voluntary donations, voluntary labor, or public or 
     private grants.
       (8) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing 
     and Urban Development.
       (9) The term ``State'' means any State of the United States 
     (or any instrumentality of a State approved by the Governor), 
     the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
     Rico.
       (10) The term ``insular areas'' means Guam, the Virgin 
     Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

     SEC. 5. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

       (a) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations establishing a community revitalization program 
     to provide Federal rehabilitation and construction grants, 
     innovation and recreation programming grants, and recovery 
     action program grants in accordance with this Act.
       (b) Requirements.--The regulations required under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
       (1) eligibility requirements for the grant program 
     established pursuant to such subsection;
       (2) the timing and form of applications required to be 
     submitted to the Secretary by local governments seeking such 
     grants;
       (3) required elements of any grant application required to 
     be submitted to the Secretary by local governments seeking 
     such grants;
       (4) criteria for priority selection and approval by the 
     Secretary in choosing which local governments receive grant 
     funds;
       (5) guidelines for seeking modification of a project to be 
     funded or which is funded by the grant program established 
     pursuant to such subsection; and
       (6) penalties placed on local governments that received 
     amounts under the grant program established pursuant to such 
     subsection for failing to comply with the reporting and 
     recordkeeping requirements set forth in section 13, up to and 
     including rescission of grant amounts for repetitive 
     violations.

     SEC. 6. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PRIORITY CRITERIA.

       (a) Eligibility Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--In developing the regulations required 
     under section 5(a), the Secretary shall set forth eligibility 
     requirements for receiving grants under the community 
     revitalization program established pursuant to this Act.
       (2) Considerations.--The eligibility requirements required 
     to be established under paragraph (1) shall be based on--
       (A) evidence of a commitment to ongoing planning, 
     rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance programs 
     for park and recreations systems, as described in section 8;
       (B) population density (the number of persons per square 
     mile of land area);
       (C) total population under 18 years of age or over 59 years 
     of age;
       (D) the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the 
     civilian labor force;
       (E) the percent of households without automobiles 
     available;
       (F) the percent of persons with income below 125 percent of 
     the poverty level;
       (G) the percent of single-headed households with children 
     present; and
       (H) any additional criteria the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.
       (b) Partial Eligibility Waiver.--
       (1) Generally.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary is 
     authorized to designate local governments in standard 
     metropolitan statistical areas, as defined by the most 
     current census, that do not meet all of the eligibility 
     requirements required under subsection (a) as eligible to 
     receive grants under this Act.
       (2) Limitation of funds.--Grants to local governments 
     described in paragraph (1) shall not exceed, in the 
     aggregate, 15 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to 
     this Act for rehabilitation and construction, innovation and 
     recreation program, and recovery action program grants.
       (c) Eligibility Certification.--As part of any application 
     process set forth pursuant to the regulations prescribed 
     under section 5, a responsible official for a local 
     government that has applied for a grant under this Act shall 
     certify that the local government meets all of the 
     eligibility requirements established under this Act with 
     respect to receipt of grant amounts under the community 
     revitalization program established pursuant to this Act. If a 
     local government applies for a partial eligibility waiver 
     under subsection (b), such certification shall specify which 
     of the eligibility requirements are met by the local 
     government.
       (d) Priority Criteria.--
       (1) General priority criteria.--The Secretary shall 
     establish priority criteria for the selection and approval of 
     projects to be funded by grant amounts made available 
     pursuant to this Act. The priority criteria established under 
     this subsection shall be based on factors such as--
       (A) a higher population density of the project 
     neighborhood;
       (B) demonstrated deficiencies in the condition of existing 
     recreational areas and facilities in the project 
     neighborhood;
       (C) demonstrated deficiencies in access to neighborhood 
     recreation opportunities, particularly for minority and low- 
     and moderate-income residents, veterans or active duty 
     military families, and residents with physical or mental 
     disabilities;
       (D) the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the 
     civilian labor force of the project neighborhood;
       (E) public participation in determining rehabilitation or 
     development needs;
       (F) the extent to which a project or program supports or 
     complements target activities undertaken as part of a local 
     government's overall community development and urban 
     revitalization program;
       (G) the extent to which such a project would--
       (i) provide employment opportunities for minorities, youth, 
     and low- and moderate-income residents in the project 
     neighborhood; and
       (ii) provide for participation of neighborhood, nonprofit, 
     or tenant organizations in the proposed rehabilitation and 
     construction activity or in subsequent maintenance, staffing, 
     or supervision of recreational areas and facilities;
       (H) the amount of State, local, and private support for the 
     project as evidenced by commitments of non-Federal resources 
     to project construction or operation; and
       (I) any additional criteria the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.
       (2) Priority criteria for rehabilitation and construction 
     grants.--In addition to

[[Page S6551]]

     the general priority criteria established under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall establish priority criteria for the 
     selection and approval of projects to be funded by a 
     rehabilitation and construction grant made pursuant to this 
     Act, including whether the project--
       (A) builds recreational areas and facilities in areas that 
     are located within half a mile of public housing or a school 
     and do not currently have indoor or outdoor facilities;
       (B) creates, maintains, or revitalizes playgrounds or 
     active play areas for children;
       (C) connects children to the outdoors for physical activity 
     and access to nature;
       (D) promotes physical activity for individuals and the 
     community at large;
       (E) works collaboratively with local governments, colleges, 
     and universities, and other institutions to track the 
     longitudinal rates of chronic diseases in the community such 
     as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity;
       (F) uses environmentally beneficial components such as 
     sustainable landscape features and upcycled and recycled 
     materials;
       (G) provides environmental benefits to urban areas, 
     including by--
       (i) updating lighting;
       (ii) planting trees;
       (iii) increasing the urban forestry canopy;
       (iv) improving stormwater management;
       (v) increasing green infrastructure;
       (vi) employing water conservation measures; or
       (vii) adding green spaces;
       (H) connects to public transportation;
       (I) uses LEED Green Building Standards or contains energy 
     efficiency components such as energy efficient lighting and 
     HVAC systems, and uses SITES sustainable landscape standards, 
     or other sustainable components and practices;
       (J) contains safe trails or routes, such as trails, 
     bikeways, and sidewalks that connect to neighborhoods and 
     enhance access to parks and recreational areas and 
     facilities;
       (K) enhances or expands youth development in neighborhoods 
     and communities by engaging youth in environmental 
     stewardship, conservation, and service projects;
       (L) updates existing equipment or facilities to be in 
     compliance with the most recent accessibility guidelines 
     published by the United States Access Board, specifically by 
     removing architectural barriers so that sites comply or 
     exceed the requirements of the final guidelines for the 
     accessibility of recreational areas and facilities; or
       (M) constructs new facilities or sites to comply with or 
     exceed the minimum requirements of the final guidelines for 
     the accessibility of recreational sites and facilities 
     published by the United States Access Board.
       (3) Priority criteria for innovation and recreation program 
     grants.--In addition to the general priority criteria 
     established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     establish priority criteria for the selection and approval of 
     programs to be funded by an innovation and recreation program 
     grant made pursuant to this Act, including whether the 
     project or program--
       (A) promotes the unique integration of recreation with 
     other community services, such as transportation, public 
     housing and public safety, either to expand or update current 
     services, or to link programs within the social service 
     structure of a neighborhood or between neighborhoods;
       (B) utilizes new management and cost-saving or service-
     efficient approaches for improving the delivery of recreation 
     services;
       (C) serves communities with a high population of active 
     military families or veterans;
       (D) ensures accessibility to therapeutic recreation 
     services and provides recreation opportunities for injured or 
     disabled members of the Armed Forces;
       (E) employs veterans, youth, or uses youth volunteers;
       (F) targets youth are at the greatest risk of becoming 
     involved in violence and crime;
       (G) demonstrates past success in providing constructive 
     alternatives to youth at risk for engaging in criminal 
     behavior;
       (H) demonstrates collaboration between local park and 
     recreation, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and youth 
     social service agencies and nongovernmental entities, 
     including private, nonprofit agencies; and
       (I) shows the greatest potential of being continued with 
     non-Federal funds or may serve as models for other 
     communities.

     SEC. 7. REHABILITATION AND INNOVATION AND RECREATION PROGRAM 
                   GRANTS.

       (a) Authorization.--Upon approval of an application by the 
     chief executive of an eligible local government, the 
     Secretary may provide 70 percent matching rehabilitation and 
     construction grants and innovation and recreation program 
     grants directly to such eligible local government.
       (b) Transfer.--At the discretion of a local government 
     receiving a rehabilitation and construction grant or 
     innovation and recreation program grant pursuant to 
     subsection (a), and if consistent with an approved 
     application, such a grant may be transferred in whole or in 
     part to private nonprofit agencies, provided that assisted 
     recreational areas and facilities owned or managed by such 
     private nonprofit agencies offer recreation opportunities to 
     the general population within the jurisdictional boundaries 
     of the local government.
       (c) Payments.--Grant payments may be made only for 
     rehabilitation and construction or innovation and recreation 
     projects and programs approved by the Secretary. In the case 
     of rehabilitation and construction and innovation projects, 
     such payments may be made periodically in keeping with the 
     rate of progress toward the satisfactory completion of a 
     project, except that the Secretary may, when appropriate, 
     make advance payments on approved rehabilitation and 
     construction and innovation projects in an amount not to 
     exceed 20 percent of the total project cost.
       (d) Modification of Project.--The Secretary may authorize 
     modification of an approved rehabilitation and construction 
     or innovation project only when a grantee has adequately 
     demonstrated that such modification is necessary because of 
     circumstances not foreseeable at the time such project was 
     proposed.
       (e) Special Considerations for Innovation and Recreation 
     Program.--Innovation grants shall correspond to the goals, 
     priorities, and implementation strategies expressed in local 
     park and recreation recovery action programs, with particular 
     regard to the special considerations listed in section 8(b) 
     of this Act.

     SEC. 8. LOCAL COMMITMENTS TO SYSTEM RECOVERY AND MAINTENANCE.

       (a) Recovery Action Programs.--
       (1) In general.--As a requirement for project approval, a 
     local government applying for a grant under this Act shall 
     submit to the Secretary evidence of its commitment to ongoing 
     planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance 
     programs for its park and recreation systems. Such commitment 
     shall be expressed in a local park and recreation recovery 
     action program that maximizes coordination of all community 
     resources, including other federally supported urban 
     development and recreation programs.
       (2) Interim preliminary action programs.--During an initial 
     interim period to be established by regulation, the recovery 
     action program requirement under paragraph (1) may be 
     satisfied by submission of preliminary action programs of a 
     local government that define objectives, priorities, and 
     implementation strategies for overall system recovery and 
     maintenance and commit such local government to a scheduled 
     program development process.
       (3) 5-year action program.--Following the interim period 
     under paragraph (2), each local government applicant shall 
     submit to the Secretary, as a condition of eligibility, a 5-
     year park and recreation recovery action program that 
     demonstrates--
       (A) identification of recovery objectives, priorities, and 
     implementation strategies;
       (B) adequate planning for rehabilitation of specific 
     recreational areas and facilities, including projections of 
     the cost of proposed projects;
       (C) capacity and commitment to assure that facilities 
     provided or improved under this Act shall thereafter continue 
     to be adequately maintained, protected, staffed, and 
     supervised;
       (D) intention to maintain total local public outlays for 
     park and recreation purposes at levels at least equal to 
     those in the year preceding that in which grant assistance is 
     sought, except in any case where a reduction in park and 
     recreation outlays is proportionate to a reduction in overall 
     spending by the applicant; and
       (E) the relationship of the park and recreation recovery 
     action program to overall community development and urban 
     revitalization efforts.
       (4) Continuing planning process.--Where appropriate, the 
     Secretary may encourage local governments to meet recovery 
     action program requirements through a continuing planning 
     process which includes periodic improvements and updates in 
     recovery action program submissions to eliminate identified 
     gaps in program information and policy development.
       (b) Recovery Action Program Special Considerations.--
     Recovery action programs shall address, at a minimum, the 
     following special considerations:
       (1) Rehabilitation of existing recreational areas and 
     facilities, including--
       (A) general systemwide renovation;
       (B) special rehabilitation requirements for recreational 
     areas and facilities in areas of high population 
     concentration and economic distress; and
       (C) restoration of outstanding or unique structures, 
     landscaping, or similar features in parks of historical or 
     architectural significance.
       (2) Local commitments to innovative and cost-effective 
     programs and projects at the neighborhood level to augment 
     recovery of park and recreation systems, including--
       (A) recycling of abandoned schools and other public 
     buildings for recreation purposes;
       (B) multiple use of operating educational and other public 
     buildings;
       (C) purchase of recreation services on a contractual basis;
       (D) use of mobile facilities and recreational, cultural, 
     and educational programs or other innovative approaches to 
     improving access for neighborhood residents;
       (E) integration of the recovery action program with 
     federally assisted projects to maximize recreation 
     opportunities through conversion of abandoned railroad and 
     highway rights-of-way, waterfront, and other redevelopment 
     efforts and such other federally assisted projects, as 
     appropriate;
       (F) conversion to recreational use of street space, 
     derelict land, and other public lands not now designated for 
     neighborhood recreational use; and

[[Page S6552]]

       (G) use of various forms of compensated and uncompensated 
     land regulation, tax inducements, or other means to encourage 
     the private sector to provide neighborhood park and 
     recreation facilities and programs.
       (c) Publication of Requirements.--The Secretary shall 
     establish and publish in the Federal Register requirements 
     for preparation, submission, and updating of local park and 
     recreation recovery action programs.
       (d) Innovation and Recreation Program Grant.--
       (1) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible to receive an at-
     risk youth recreation grant, a local government shall--
       (A) include in its 5-year park and recreation recovery 
     action program the goal of--
       (i) utilizing new ideas, concepts, and approaches aimed at 
     improving facility design, operations, or programming in the 
     delivery of recreation services;
       (ii) increased access of therapeutic or other recreation 
     services to veterans and military families; or
       (iii) reducing crime and juvenile delinquency; and
       (B) provide a description of implementation strategies to 
     achieve such goals.
       (2) Coordination.--The description of implementation 
     strategies under paragraph (1) shall also address how the 
     local government is coordinating its recreation programs with 
     other community development or service agencies.
       (e) Recovery Action Program Grants.--The Secretary is 
     authorized to provide up to 50 percent matching grants to 
     eligible local government applicants for recovery action 
     program development and planning to meet the objectives of 
     this section.

     SEC. 9. STATE ACTION INCENTIVE; FEDERAL GRANTS, INCREASE.

       The Secretary is authorized to increase Federal 
     rehabilitation and construction grants and innovation and 
     recreation program grants authorized under section 7, by 
     providing an additional match equal to the total match 
     provided by a State of up to 15 percent of the total project 
     or program costs. In no event may the Federal matching amount 
     exceed 85 percent of total project or program cost. The 
     Secretary shall further encourage the States to assist in 
     assuring that local recovery plans and programs are 
     adequately implemented by cooperating with the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development in monitoring local park and 
     recreation recovery action programs and in assuring 
     consistency of such plans and programs, where appropriate, 
     with State recreation policies as set forth in statewide 
     comprehensive outdoor recreation plans.

     SEC. 10. MATCHING REQUIREMENTS; NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF PROJECT 
                   OR PROGRAM COSTS.

       (a) Non-Federal Sources.--The non-Federal share of project 
     or program costs assisted under this Act may be derived 
     from--
       (1) general or special purpose State or local revenues;
       (2) State categorical grants;
       (3) special appropriations by State legislatures;
       (4) donations of land, buildings, or building materials;
       (5) in-kind construction, technical, and planning services; 
     or
       (6) any combination of paragraphs (1) through (5).
       (b) Prohibited Sources.--No moneys from any Federal grant 
     program other than general revenue sharing and the community 
     development and energy efficiency and conservation block 
     grant programs shall be used to match Federal grants under 
     this program.
       (c) Private Contributions.--The Secretary shall encourage 
     States and private interests to contribute, to the maximum 
     extent possible, to the non-Federal share of project or 
     program costs.

     SEC. 11. CONVERSION OF RECREATION PROPERTY.

       No property improved or developed with assistance under 
     this Act shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be 
     converted for uses other than for public recreation. The 
     Secretary shall approve such conversion only if the Secretary 
     determines it to be consistent with the current local park 
     and recreation recovery action program and only upon such 
     conditions as the Secretary determines necessary to assure 
     the provision of adequate recreation properties and 
     opportunities of reasonably equivalent location and 
     usefulness.

     SEC. 12. COORDINATION OF PROGRAM.

       The Secretary shall--
       (1) coordinate the urban revitalization and livable 
     communities program with other Federal departments and 
     agencies and with State agencies that administer programs and 
     policies affecting urban areas such as the White House Office 
     of Urban Policy and departments that administer programs and 
     policies affecting climate change, green jobs, housing, urban 
     development, natural resources management, employment, 
     transportation, community services, and voluntary action;
       (2) encourage maximum coordination of the program between 
     appropriate State agencies and local government applicants; 
     and
       (3) require that local government applicants include 
     provisions for participation of community and neighborhood 
     residents, including youth, and for public-private 
     coordination in recovery action program planning and project 
     selection.

     SEC. 13. REPORT; RECORDKEEPING; AUDIT AND EXAMINATION.

       (a) Report.--Each recipient of assistance under this Act 
     shall submit to the Secretary, for each fiscal year such 
     assistance is received, an annual report detailing the 
     projects and programs undertaken with such assistance, the 
     number of jobs created by such assistance, and any other 
     information the Secretary determines appropriate based on the 
     priority criteria established by the Secretary under sections 
     5 and 6.
       (b) Recordkeeping.--Each recipient of assistance under this 
     Act shall keep such records as the Secretary shall prescribe, 
     including records that fully disclose the amount and 
     disposition of project or program undertakings in connection 
     with which assistance under this Act is given or used, and 
     the amount and nature of that portion of the cost of the 
     project or program undertaking supplied by other sources, and 
     such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.
       (c) Audit and Examination.--The Secretary and the 
     Comptroller General of the United States, or their duly 
     authorized representatives, shall have access, for the 
     purpose of audit and examination, to any books, documents, 
     papers, and records of a recipient of assistance under this 
     Act that are pertinent to such assistance.

     SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     such sums as necessary to carry out this Act for each of 
     fiscal years 2013 through 2022.
       (b) Recovery Action Program Grants.--Not more than 3 
     percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) 
     in any fiscal year may be used for grants for the development 
     of local park and recreation recovery action programs 
     pursuant to section 8 of this Act.
       (c) Innovation and Recreation Program Grants.--Not more 
     than 10 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to 
     subsection (a) in any fiscal year may be used for innovation 
     grants pursuant to section 7 of this Act.
       (d) Discretionary Fund.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this Act or any other law or regulation, not 
     more than 2 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to 
     subsection (a) in any fiscal year may be used to provide 
     rehabilitation and construction grants, innovation and 
     recreation program grants, and recovery action program grants 
     to be used in the insular areas. Such sums will not be 
     subject to the matching provisions of this Act, and may only 
     be subject to such conditions, reports, plans, and 
     agreements, if any, as determined by the Secretary.

     SEC. 15. LIMITATION OF USE OF FUNDS.

       Not more than 10 percent of funds appropriated pursuant to 
     section 14 for rehabilitation and construction grants in any 
     fiscal year may be used for the acquisition of lands or 
     interests in land.

     SEC. 16. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       (a) Interim Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress an interim report containing such findings and 
     recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate with 
     respect to the community revitalization program established 
     pursuant to this Act.
       (b) Final Report.--Not later than 10 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report describing the overall impact of the 
     community revitalization program established pursuant to this 
     Act.
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