Grant program to support outdoor recreation opportunities for veterans

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to covered State entities to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans that enhance veteran wellness.(b)

Use of amounts

A covered State entity awarded a grant under this section may use amounts under such grant as follows:(1)To directly develop and administer an outdoor recreation program for veterans.(2)To contract with local outfitters, guides, nonprofit organizations, or community-based outdoor recreation providers to conduct such program.(3)To develop partnerships to deliver structured outdoor programming for veterans.(4)To reduce financial barriers to participation in such program, including equipment, program fees, and reasonable transportation costs.(5)To conduct outreach to veteran populations to raise awareness about such program.(6)To expand an existing outdoor recreation program for veterans operated in the State.(7)To coordinate with Federal agencies involved in land management with respect to such program, including the following:(A)The National Park Service.(B)The Bureau of Land Management.(C)The Forest Service.(D)The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.(E)The Army Corps of Engineers.(c)

Collaboration and coordination

(1)

Collaboration

The Secretary shall encourage collaboration between covered State entities participating in the grant program under this section and the Federal agencies described in subsection (b)(7) to—(A)expand access by veterans to outdoor spaces;(B)to reduce administrative barriers; and(C)to identify appropriate locations for organized activities.(2)

Coordination

The Secretary shall encourage covered State entities participating in the grant program under this section to coordinate with other covered State entities to maximize access by veterans to outdoor recreation opportunities.(d)

Application requirements

To receive a grant under this section, a covered State entity shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor that includes the following:(1)A plan for administering funds awarded under such grant.(2)Criteria for selecting partners for the outdoor recreation program or programs carried out by such entity.(3)A certification that the outdoor recreation program or programs carried out by such entity meet qualification standards determined by the State.(4)Methods for collecting data for participation in the outdoor recreation program or programs carried out by such entity.(e)

Approval of application and funding amounts

(1)

In general

Subject to the availability of appropriations, each covered State entity that submits an application meeting the requirements under subsection (d) for a grant under this section shall be approved to receive such grant in an amount of not less than $200,000 for the applicable fiscal year.(2)

Additional amounts

If additional amounts are available for a fiscal year to carry out this section, those additional amounts shall be distributed among the covered State entities for which an application under subsection (d) was approved under paragraph (1).(f)

Reports

Not less frequently than annually, each covered State entity in receipt of a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes the following:(1)Participation metrics regarding any outdoor recreation program carried out by such entity with amounts provided under such grant, including—(A)the types of activities funded and partnerships established under such program;(B)the number of veterans served under such program;(C)frequency of participation by veterans under such program; and(D)demographic distribution of veterans participating in such program.(2)Observations with respect to any outdoor recreation program carried out by such entity, including—(A)self-reported changes in well-being of veterans;(B)social connectedness indicators; and(C)physical activity engagement.(g)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Outdoor recreation program

The term outdoor recreation program means a nature-based activity designed to improve the mental and physical well-being of veterans, including activities that promote physical engagement, peer connection, skill-building, or therapeutic benefit, and may include adaptive or accessible activities designed to accommodate veterans with disabilities.(2)

Covered State entity

The term covered State entity means the primary agency of a State that is responsible for programs and services for veterans.(h)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $10,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this section.