Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program Act of 2015

To provide grants for projects to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes and to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program Act of 2015 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Eligible entity (A) In general The term eligible entity (i) a State; (ii) a political subdivision of a State, including— (I) a city; and (II) a county; (iii) a special purpose district, including park districts; and (iv) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 450b (B) Political subdivisions and Indian tribes A political subdivision of a State or an Indian tribe shall be considered an eligible entity only if the political subdivision or Indian tribe represents or otherwise serves a qualifying urban area. (2) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program The term Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program (3) Qualifying urban area The term qualifying urban area Qualifying Urban Areas for the 2010 Census (4) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Grants authorized (a) In general The Secretary shall establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for projects— (1) to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes; and (2) to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities. (b) Matching requirement (1) In general As a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall provide matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to not less than 100 percent of the amounts made available under the grant. (2) Sources The matching amounts referred to in paragraph (1) may include amounts made available from State, local, nongovernmental, or private sources. 4. Eligible Uses (a) In general A grant recipient may use a grant awarded under this Act— (1) to acquire land or water that provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public; and (2) to develop or renovate outdoor recreational facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, with priority given to projects that— (A) create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community; (B) engage and empower underserved communities and youth; (C) provide opportunities for youth employment or job training; (D) establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and (E) take advantage of coordination among various levels of government. (b) Limitations on use A grant recipient may not use grant funds for— (1) grant administration costs; (2) incidental costs related to land acquisition, including appraisal and titling; (3) operation and maintenance activities; (4) facilities that support semiprofessional or professional athletics; (5) indoor facilities such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily non-outdoor purposes; or (6) acquisition of land or interests in land that restrict access to specific persons. 5. National Park Service requirements In carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program, the Secretary shall— (1) conduct an initial screening and technical review of applications received; and (2) evaluate and score all qualifying applications. 6. Reporting (a) Annual reports Not later than 30 days after the last day of each report period, each State lead agency that receives a grant under this Act shall annually submit to the Secretary performance and financial reports that— (1) summarize project activities conducted during the report period; and (2) provide the status of the project. (b) Final reports Not later than 90 days after the earlier of the date of expiration of a project period or the completion of a project, each State lead agency that receives a grant under this Act shall submit to the Secretary a final report containing such information as the Secretary may require. 7. Revenue sharing Section 105(a)(2)(B) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 ( 43 U.S.C. 1331 Public Law 109–432 , of which 20 percent for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2055 shall be used by the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants under the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program Act of 2015.

Summary: Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which Interior awards grants to eligible entities (the states, their political subdivisions, special purpose districts, and Indian Tribes) for projects to: (1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes, and (2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities. As a condition for receiving a grant, an eligible entity shall provide matching funds in cash or in kind equal to 100% of the amounts available under the grant. A grant recipient may use the grant to acquire land or water providing outdoor recreation opportunities to the public. A grant may also be used to develop or renovate outdoor recreational facilities, with priority given to projects that: create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community; engage and empower underserved communities and youth; provide opportunities for youth employment or job training; establish or expand public-private partnerships; take advantage of coordination among various levels of government. Grant funds may not be used for specified costs, facilities, and activities, including the acquisition of lands or interests that restrict access to particular persons.