H.R. 4985

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4985 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4985

To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to 
establish a program enabling communities to better leverage resources 
to address health, economic development, and conservation concerns 
through needed investments in parks, recreational areas, facilities, 
and programs, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 15, 2025

Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. 
Norton, and Mrs. McIver) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the 
Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to 
establish a program enabling communities to better leverage resources 
to address health, economic development, and conservation concerns 
through needed investments in parks, recreational areas, facilities, 
and programs, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Community Parks 
Revitalization Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
TITLE I--COMMUNITY PARKS REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Purposes.
Sec. 102. Community parks revitalization program.
Sec. 103. Requirements for rehabilitation and construction grants.
Sec. 104. Requirements for innovation and recreation program grants.
Sec. 105. Local commitments to system recovery and maintenance.
Sec. 106. Matching of State amounts, State action incentive.
Sec. 107. Conversion of recreation property.
Sec. 108. Coordination of program.
Sec. 109. Reports; recordkeeping; audit and examination.
Sec. 110. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 111. Definitions.
Sec. 112. Regulations.
Sec. 113. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--SECURED LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 201. Purposes.
Sec. 202. Authority to provide assistance.
Sec. 203. Eligible entities.
Sec. 204. Projects eligible for assistance.
Sec. 205. Activities eligible for assistance.
Sec. 206. Applications.
Sec. 207. Determination of eligibility and project selection.
Sec. 208. Secured loans and loan guarantees.
Sec. 209. Program administration.
Sec. 210. State and local permits.
Sec. 211. Definitions.
Sec. 212. Regulations.
Sec. 213. Funding.
Sec. 214. Report to Congress.

TITLE I--COMMUNITY PARKS REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

SEC. 101. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this title are--
(1) to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development to establish a program enabling communities to 
better leverage resources to address health, economic 
development, and conservation concerns through needed 
investments in parks, recreational areas, facilities, and 
programs;
(2) to improve and revitalize 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 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 use of environmentally responsible 
components and sustainable landscape features, and promote cost 
effective solutions to issues such as storm water management, 
water conservation, and air quality.

SEC. 102. COMMUNITY PARKS REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
shall carry out a community parks revitalization program under this 
title under which the Secretary shall, from amounts appropriated 
pursuant to section 114, award the following grants on a competitive 
basis:
(1) Rehabilitation and construction grants.--The Secretary 
shall make rehabilitation and construction capital grants in 
accordance with the criteria established pursuant to section 
104(a) to eligible local governments for the purpose of--
(A) rebuilding, remodeling, expanding, integrating, 
or developing existing or building new recreational 
areas and facilities, including improvements in park 
landscapes, infrastructure, buildings, and support 
facilities; and
(B) the provision of lighting, emergency phones, or 
other capital improvements to improve the security of 
urban parks, but not including routine maintenance and 
upkeep activities.
(2) Innovation and recreation program grants.--The 
Secretary shall make innovation and recreation program grants 
in accordance with the criteria established pursuant to section 
105(a) to eligible 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, that 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.
(3) Recovery action program grants.--The Secretary shall 
make recovery action program grants to eligible local 
governments for planning and development of local park and 
recreation recovery action programs required under section 106, 
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.
(b) Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--For the purposes of this title, any local 
government located within a standard metropolitan statistical 
area, as determined in accordance with the most recent 
decennial Census, shall be eligible to apply for and receive 
grant awards pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) Partial eligibility waiver.--
(A) Designation.--The Secretary may designate local 
governments not located within standard metropolitan 
statistical areas, as determined in accordance with the 
most recent decennial Census, as eligible to receive 
grant awards pursuant to subsection (a).
(B) Limitation on amounts.--The aggregate amount of 
grants made to eligible local governments that receive 
such status pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph shall not exceed 15 percent of the total 
amounts appropriated pursuant to this title for all 
grants under subsection (a).
(c) Matching Requirement.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
eligible local government that receives a grant pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall supplement, in accordance with this 
subsection, the amount received under such grant with an amount 
that is not less than \3/7\ of such grant amount; except that, 
in the case of grants under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary 
shall ensure that each eligible local government shall 
supplement the amount received under such grant with amount 
that is not less than such grant amount.
(2) Use.--Supplemental amounts made available in accordance 
with paragraph (1) shall be used only for projects and 
activities for which grant amounts are eligible to be used.
(3) Sources for supplemental funds.--
(A) Limitation on federal funds.--Supplemental 
funds required by paragraph (1) may not include any 
amounts made available from a Federal grant program, 
other than--
(i) the community development block grant 
program under title I of the Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
5301 et seq.);
(ii) any Federal program for general 
revenue sharing with local governments; or
(iii) any Federal program that provides 
block grants to States and localities to 
develop, promote, implement, and manage energy 
efficiency and conservation projects and 
programs designed to reduce fossil fuel 
emissions, reduce energy use, improve energy 
efficiency, and create and retain jobs.
(B) State and private amounts.--The Secretary may 
require that a portion of the supplemental funds 
required by paragraph (1) come from the State or 
private sources.
(C) Non-federal funds.--Supplemental funds required 
by paragraph (1) may include--
(i) general or specific purpose State or 
local revenues;
(ii) State categorical grants;
(iii) special appropriations under State 
law;
(iv) donations of land, building, or 
building materials;
(v) in-kind construction, technical, and 
planning services; and
(vi) any combination of funds described in 
this subparagraph.
(D) Exception.--The Secretary shall waive the 
supplemental funds requirement under subparagraph (A) 
if--
(i) the eligible local government is 
located in a rural area, as determined by the 
Secretary; or
(ii) the eligible local government has 
demonstrated economic hardship, as determined 
by the Secretary.
(d) Transfer.--At the discretion of an eligible local government 
receiving a rehabilitation and construction grant under subsection 
(a)(1) or an innovation and recreation program grant under subsection 
(a)(2), and if consistent with the approved application for such grant, 
the 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.
(e) 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 consistent 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.
(f) 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.

SEC. 103. REQUIREMENTS FOR REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION GRANTS.

(a) Priority Criteria.--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 section 
103(a)(1), which shall include whether and the extent to which the 
project would--
(1) serve a community with a high population density;
(2) address demonstrated deficiencies in the condition of 
existing recreational areas and facilities in the project 
neighborhood;
(3) address 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;
(4) serve a community with a higher than average number of 
unemployed people as a percentage of the civilian labor force 
of the project neighborhood;
(5) include public participation in determining 
rehabilitation or development needs and the extent to which a 
project supports or complements target activities undertaken as 
part of a local government's overall community development and 
urban revitalization program;
(6) provide employment opportunities for minorities, youth, 
and low- and moderate-income residents in the project 
neighborhood;
(7) 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;
(8) demonstrate State, local, and private support for the 
project, as evidenced by commitments of non-Federal resources 
to project construction or operation;
(9) build recreational areas and facilities in areas that 
are located within one-half of a mile of public housing or a 
school and do not currently have indoor or outdoor facilities;
(10) create, maintain, or revitalize playgrounds or active 
play areas for children;
(11) connect children to the outdoors for physical activity 
and access to nature;
(12) promote physical activity for individuals and the 
community at large;
(13) work 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;
(14) use environmentally beneficial components such as 
sustainable landscape features and upcycled and recycled 
materials;
(15) provide environmental benefits to urban areas, by 
including--
(A) updating lighting;
(B) planting trees;
(C) increasing the urban forestry canopy;
(D) improving stormwater management;
(E) increasing green infrastructure;
(F) employing water conservation measures; or
(G) adding green spaces;
(16) connect to public transportation;
(17) apply the LEED Green Building Guidelines of the U.S. 
Green Building Council or other sustainability benchmarks that 
incorporate energy efficiency components, such as energy 
efficient lighting and heating ventilation and air conditioning 
(HVAC) systems and apply the SITES sustainable landscape 
guidelines of the Sustainable Sites Initiative;
(18) contain safe trails or routes, such as trails, 
bikeways, and sidewalks that connect to neighborhoods and 
enhance access to parks and recreational areas and facilities; 
and
(19) update existing equipment or facilities or construct 
new facilities or sites, to comply 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.
(b) Limitation on Use of Funds.--Not more than 10 percent of any 
amounts made available pursuant to section 114 for rehabilitation and 
construction grants under section 103(a)(1) in any fiscal year may be 
used for the acquisition of lands or interests in land.

SEC. 104. REQUIREMENTS FOR INNOVATION AND RECREATION PROGRAM GRANTS.

(a) Priority Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish priority 
criteria for the selection and approval of projects and programs to be 
funded by an innovation and recreation program grant made pursuant to 
section 103(a)(2), including whether and the extent to which the 
project or program--
(1) 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;
(2) utilizes new management and cost-saving or service-
efficient approaches for improving the delivery of recreation 
services;
(3) serves communities with a high population of active 
military families or veterans;
(4) ensures accessibility to therapeutic recreation 
services and provides recreation opportunities for injured or 
disabled members of the Armed Forces;
(5) employs veterans or youth, or uses youth volunteers;
(6) enhances or expands youth development in neighborhoods 
and communities by engaging youth in environmental stewardship, 
conservation, and service projects;
(7) targets youth that are at the greatest risk of becoming 
involved in violence and crime;
(8) demonstrates past success in providing constructive 
alternatives to youth at risk for engaging in criminal 
behavior;
(9) demonstrates collaboration between local park and 
recreation, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and youth social 
service agencies and nongovernmental entities, including 
private, nonprofit agencies; and
(10) shows the greatest potential of being continued with 
non-Federal funds or may serve as models for other communities.
(b) Special Considerations.--Each innovation and recreation program 
grant shall be used in accordance with the goals, priorities, and 
implementation strategies expressed in the local park and recreation 
recovery action program established pursuant to section 106 for the 
eligible local government receiving the grant, with particular regard 
to the special considerations set forth in the program pursuant to 
section 106(b).

SEC. 105. LOCAL COMMITMENTS TO SYSTEM RECOVERY AND MAINTENANCE.

(a) Local Park and Recreation Recovery Action Programs.--
(1) In general.--As a requirement for approval of a project 
or program for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 
103(a), the eligible local government applying for the grant 
shall submit to the Secretary a local park and recreation 
recovery action program that--
(A) provides evidence of its commitment to ongoing 
planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and 
maintenance programs for its park and recreation 
systems; and
(B) maximizes coordination of all community 
resources, including other federally supported urban 
development and recreation programs.
(2) Interim preliminary programs.--The Secretary shall 
provide, by regulation, that during an initial interim period 
the requirement under paragraph (1) for an eligible local 
government to submit a local park and recreation recover action 
program may be satisfied by submission of a preliminary action 
program to be carried out by the eligible local government that 
defines 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.--After the expiration of the 
interim period under paragraph (2), each eligible local 
government that applies for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) 
of section 103(a) shall, as a condition of eligibility for such 
grant, submit to the Secretary 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 ensure that 
facilities provided or improved under this title 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.--The Secretary may, in 
such cases as the Secretary considers appropriate, encourage 
local governments to meet recovery action program requirements 
under this section through a continuing planning process that 
includes periodic improvements and updates in recovery action 
program submissions to eliminate identified gaps in program 
information and policy development.
(b) Special Considerations.--Each local park and recreation 
recovery action program required by this section 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
(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 required under this section.
(d) Innovation and Recreation Program Grants for At-Risk Youth.--To 
be eligible to receive an innovation and recreation program grant under 
section 103(a)(2) to be used to provide recreation opportunities or 
programs for at-risk youth, an eligible local government shall--
(1) include in its 5-year park and recreation recovery 
action program required under subsection (a)(3) the goal of--
(A) utilizing new ideas, concepts, and approaches 
aimed at improving facility design, operations, or 
programming in the delivery of recreation services;
(B) increased access of therapeutic or other 
recreation services to veterans and military families; 
or
(C) reducing crime and juvenile delinquency; and
(2) provide a description of--
(A) implementation strategies to achieve such 
goals; and
(B) how the local government is coordinating its 
recreation programs with other community development or 
service agencies.

SEC. 106. MATCHING OF STATE AMOUNTS, STATE ACTION INCENTIVE.

(a) Increase in Grant Amounts.--The Secretary may increase Federal 
rehabilitation and construction, innovation, and at-risk youth 
recreation grants authorized in section 103(a) by providing an 
additional match equal to the total match provided by a State of up to 
15 percent of total project or program costs, except that in no event 
may--
(1) such additional grant amount exceed 15 percent of the 
total project or program cost; or
(2) the aggregate amount of the grant and the additional 
grant amounts under this subsection exceed 85 percent of total 
project or program cost.
(b) State Action Incentive.--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. 107. CONVERSION OF RECREATION PROPERTY.

(a) No Conversion Without Approval.--No property improved or 
developed with assistance under a grant under this title may be 
converted for uses other than for public recreation, without the 
approval of the Secretary.
(b) Standard for Approval.--The Secretary may approve such 
conversion only--
(1) if the Secretary determines the conversion to be 
consistent with the current local park and recreation recovery 
action program for the local government that improved or 
developed the property; and
(2) subject to such conditions as the Secretary determines 
necessary to ensure the provision of adequate recreation 
properties and opportunities of reasonably equivalent location 
and usefulness.

SEC. 108. COORDINATION OF PROGRAM.

The Secretary shall--
(1) coordinate the community parks revitalization program 
for grants under this title 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. 109. REPORTS; RECORDKEEPING; AUDIT AND EXAMINATION.

(a) Reports.--Each recipient of assistance under this title 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 105 and 106.
(b) Recordkeeping.--Each recipient of assistance under this title 
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 
title 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 title that are pertinent to such assistance.

SEC. 110. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

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

SEC. 111. DEFINITIONS.

In this title, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term ``eligible local government'' means a local 
government that, pursuant to section 103(b), is eligible for a 
grant under section 103(a).
(2) The term ``insular areas'' means Guam, the Virgin 
Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) The term ``private nonprofit agency'' means a 
community-based, nonprofit 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.
(6) 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 not including major sports arenas, 
exhibition areas, and conference halls used primarily for 
commercial sports, spectator, or display activities.
(7) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing 
and Urban Development.
(8) 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.

SEC. 112. REGULATIONS.

(a) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations 
establishing the community parks revitalization program under this 
title to provide the grants authorized in section 103(a), in accordance 
with this title.
(b) Requirements.--The regulations required under this section 
shall include--
(1) the criteria necessary to carry out sections 104, 105, 
and 106;
(2) requirements regarding the form of, and elements to be 
included in, applications by eligible local governments for 
grants under this title, requirements for and detailed 
instructions on the process for submitting such applications, 
and deadlines for such applications;
(3) criteria pursuant to sections 104(a) and 105(a) for 
priority in selection and approval by the Secretary of projects 
or programs to receive grant funds;
(4) guidelines regarding whether an applicant may modify a 
pending application and the process for modifying pending 
applications, and guidelines for submitting a request for 
modification of a project awarded grant funding under this 
title after such an award has been made; and
(5) penalties that will be assessed on local governments 
awarded a grant under this title for failure to comply with the 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements under section 110, 
which shall provide penalties up to and including rescission of 
grant amounts for repetitive violations.

SEC. 113. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this title for each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2035.
(b) Limitation on Innovation and Recreation Program Grants.--Not 
more than 10 percent of any amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection 
(a) of this section in any fiscal year may be used for grants under 
section 103(a)(2).
(c) Limitation on Recovery Action Program Grants.--Not more than 3 
percent of any amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this 
section in any fiscal year may be used for grants under section 
103(a)(3).
(d) Grants for Insular Areas.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of this title, the Secretary may use not more than 2 percent of any 
amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) in any fiscal year may 
to provide rehabilitation and construction grants under section 
103(a)(1), innovation and recreation program grants under section 
103(a)(2), and recovery action program grants under section 103(a)(3) 
to be used in the insular areas. Any such grants shall not be subject 
to sections 103(c) and 107(a) (relating to matching amounts), and may 
only be subject to such conditions, reports, plans, and agreements, if 
any, as determined by the Secretary.

TITLE II--SECURED LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION 
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 201. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this title are--
(1) to promote increased development of parks and 
recreation infrastructure by establishing additional 
opportunities for financing parks and recreation projects;
(2) to attract new investment capital to infrastructure 
projects that are capable of generating revenue streams through 
user fees or other dedicated funding sources;
(3) to complement existing Federal funding sources and 
address budgetary constraints on the National Park Service; and
(4) to leverage private investment in parks and recreation 
infrastructure.

SEC. 202. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may provide 
financial assistance under section 208 to eligible entities to carry 
out parks and infrastructure projects selected for such assistance 
pursuant to section 207.

SEC. 203. ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

Financial assistance under section 208 may be provided only to the 
following entities:
(1) A corporation.
(2) A partnership.
(3) A joint venture.
(4) A trust.
(5) A Federal, State, or local governmental entity, agency, 
or special purpose park and recreation district.
(6) A State infrastructure financing authority.

SEC. 204. PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.

Financial assistance may be provided under section 208, subject to 
section 207, only for the following types of projects:
(1) A project for the development of 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, including multiple-use community centers that have 
recreation as a primary purpose, but not including major sports 
arenas, exhibition areas, and conference halls used primarily 
for commercial sports, spectator, or display activities.
(2) A project for the construction, planning, and design of 
on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, 
bicyclists, and other nonmotorized forms of transportation, 
including sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and 
bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting and other 
safety-related infrastructure, and transportation projects to 
achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
(3) A project for the construction, planning, and design of 
infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide 
safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, 
and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs.
(4) A project for the conversion and use of abandoned 
railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or 
other nonmotorized transportation users.
(5) A project for the construction of turnouts, overlooks, 
and viewing areas.

SEC. 205. ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE.

Amounts from a loan made or guaranteed under section 208 provided 
for an eligible project may be used for costs of carrying out such 
project, including costs of--
(1) development-phase activities, including planning, 
feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental 
review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, 
and other preconstruction activities;
(2) construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, 
preservation, and replacement activities;
(3) the acquisition of real property (including water 
rights, land relating to the project, and improvements to 
land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, 
and acquisition of equipment;
(4) capitalized interest necessary to meet market 
requirements, reasonably required reserve funds, capital 
issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during 
construction; and
(5) refinancing interim construction funding, long-term 
project obligations, or a secured loan or loan guarantee made 
under this title.

SEC. 206. APPLICATIONS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide for eligible entities 
to submit applications for selection of eligible projects to receive 
financial assistance under section 208, at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(b) Combined Projects.--The Secretary shall provide that in the 
case only of an eligible entity described in section 203(6), such an 
entity may submit a single application for a combination of projects, 
each of which is an eligible project under paragraphs (1) through (5) 
of section 205.

SEC. 207. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY AND PROJECT SELECTION.

(a) Selection of Projects.--Using the selection criteria under 
subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall select, from 
applications submitted pursuant to section 206, eligible projects that 
meet the criteria under subsection (b) of this section for financial 
assistance under section 208.
(b) Project Requirements.--An eligible project may not be selected 
to receive financial assistance under section 208 unless the Secretary 
determines that the project meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Creditworthiness.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
project shall be creditworthy, as determined by the 
Secretary as applicable, to shall ensure that any 
financing for the project has appropriate security 
features, such as a rate covenant, to ensure repayment.
(B) Preliminary rating opinion letter.--The 
Secretary shall require the applicant for each project 
to provide, as part of the application for the project 
under section 206, a preliminary rating opinion letter 
from at least one rating agency indicating that the 
senior project obligations of the project (which may be 
the Federal credit instrument) have the potential to 
achieve an investment-grade rating.
(C) Special rule for certain combined projects.--
The Secretary shall develop a credit evaluation process 
for a Federal credit instrument provided to a State 
infrastructure financing authority for a project 
described in section 206(b), which may include 
requiring the provision of a preliminary rating opinion 
letter from at least one rating agency.
(2) Eligible project costs.--The costs of the eligible 
project shall be reasonably anticipated to be not less than 
$20,000,000.
(3) Dedicated revenue sources.--The Federal credit 
instrument for the project shall be repayable, in whole or in 
part, from dedicated revenue sources that also secure the 
project obligations.
(4) Public sponsorship of private entities.--In the case of 
a project carried out by an entity that is not a State or local 
government or an agency or instrumentality of a State or local 
government, the project shall be publicly sponsored.
(c) Selection Criteria.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish criteria 
for the selection of projects that meet the eligibility 
requirements of subsection (b). Such criteria shall be designed 
to ensure a diversity of project types and geographical 
locations, and shall include the following:
(A) The extent to which the project is statewide or 
regionally significant, with respect to the generation 
of increased recreational opportunities.
(B) The extent to which assistance under this title 
would foster innovative public-private partnerships and 
attract private debt or equity investment.
(C) The likelihood that assistance under this title 
would enable the project to proceed at an earlier date 
than the project would otherwise be able to proceed.
(D) The extent to which the project uses new or 
innovative approaches.
(E) The amount of budget authority required to fund 
the Federal credit instrument for the project made 
available under this title.
(F) The extent to which the project helps maintain 
or protect the environment.
(G) The extent to which assistance under this 
section reduces the contribution of Federal grant 
assistance to the project.
(2) Special rule for certain combined projects.--For a 
project described in section 206(b), the Secretary shall only 
consider the criteria described in subparagraphs (B) through 
(G) of paragraph (1).
(d) Federal Requirements.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to alter, affect, or annul the applicability of any other Federal laws 
or regulations.

SEC. 208. SECURED LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary may enter into agreements with 
eligible entities to make, and may make, secured loans to such entities 
as provided under this section for eligible projects selected under 
section 207 for financial assistance under this section.
(b) Use.--
(1) In general.--The proceeds of a secured loan under this 
section shall be used only--
(A) to finance eligible project costs of an 
eligible project selected under section 207;
(B) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, to 
refinance interim construction financing of eligible 
project costs of an eligible project selected under 
section 207; or
(C) to refinance long-term project obligations or 
Federal credit instruments, if such refinancing 
provides additional funding capacity for the 
completion, enhancement, or expansion of a project 
that--
(i) is selected under section 207; or
(ii) was originally financed, in whole or 
in part, with amounts provided other than under 
this title, if the project otherwise meets the 
requirements of section 207.
(2) Limitation on refinancing of interim construction 
financing.--The proceeds of a secured loan under this section 
made for an eligible project may not be used for the purpose 
under paragraph (1)(B) after the expiration of the 12-month 
period beginning upon the date of substantial completion of the 
project.
(c) Risk Assessment.--Before entering into an agreement under this 
subsection for a secured loan, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget and each rating agency 
providing a preliminary rating opinion letter under section 
207(b)(1)(B), shall determine an appropriate capital reserve subsidy 
amount for the secured loan, taking into account each such preliminary 
rating opinion letter.
(d) Investment-Grade Rating Requirement for Senior Obligations.--
The execution of a secured loan under this section shall be contingent 
on receipt by the senior obligations of the project of an investment-
grade rating.
(e) Terms and Limitations.--
(1) Maximum amount.--The amount of a secured loan under 
this section shall not exceed the lesser of--
(A) an amount equal to 49 percent of the reasonably 
anticipated eligible project costs; or
(B) if the secured loan does not receive an 
investment-grade rating, the amount of the senior 
project obligations of the project.
(2) Payment.--A secured loan under this section--
(A) shall be payable, in whole or in part, from 
State or local taxes, user fees, or other dedicated 
revenue sources that also secure the senior project 
obligations of the relevant project;
(B) shall include a rate covenant, coverage 
requirement, or similar security feature supporting the 
project obligations; and
(C) may have a lien on revenues described in 
subparagraph (A), subject to any lien securing project 
obligations.
(3) Interest rate.--The interest rate on a secured loan 
under this section shall be--
(A) not less than the yield on United States 
Treasury securities of a similar maturity to the 
maturity of the secured loan on the date of execution 
of the loan agreement; and
(B) fixed for the term of the loan.
(4) Maturity date.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the final maturity date of a secured loan under 
this section for an eligible project shall be not later 
than 35 years after the date of substantial completion 
of the project.
(B) Special rule for state infrastructure financing 
authorities.--The final maturity date of a secured loan 
under this section made to a State infrastructure 
financing authority shall be not later than 35 years 
after the date on which loan amounts are first 
disbursed.
(5) Nonsubordination.--A secured loan under this section 
shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of 
project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or 
liquidation of the obligor.
(6) Fees.--The Secretary may establish fees in connection 
with a secured loan under this section, in amounts sufficient 
to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal 
Government of secured loans under this section.
(7) Use of proceeds for payment of non-federal share.--The 
proceeds of a secured loan under this section may be used to 
pay any non-Federal share required with respect to other 
funding obtained for project costs, but only if such secured 
loan is repaid using non-Federal funds.
(8) Maximum federal involvement.--For any project for which 
assistance is provided under this title, the total amount of 
Federal assistance from all sources, including this title, 
shall not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.
(9) Others.--A secured loan provided for a project under 
this section shall be subject to such other terms and 
conditions, and contain such covenants, representations, 
warranties, and requirements (including requirements for 
audits), as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(f) Repayment.--
(1) Schedule.--The Secretary shall establish a repayment 
schedule for each secured loan provided under this section, 
based on the projected cash flow from project revenues and 
other repayment sources.
(2) Commencement.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), scheduled loan repayments of principal or interest 
on a secured loan under this section for an eligible 
project shall commence not later than 5 years after the 
date of substantial completion of the project.
(B) Special rule for state infrastructure financing 
authorities.--Scheduled loan repayments of principal or 
interest on a secured loan made under this section to a 
State infrastructure financing authority shall commence 
not later than 5 years after the date on which amounts 
are first disbursed.
(3) Deferred payments.--
(A) Authorization.--If, at any time after the date 
of substantial completion of a project for which a 
secured loan is provided under this section, the 
project is unable to generate sufficient revenues to 
pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and 
interest on the loan, the Secretary may, subject to 
subparagraph (C), allow the obligor to add unpaid 
principal and interest to the outstanding balance of 
the secured loan.
(B) Interest.--Any payment deferred pursuant to 
subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) continue to accrue interest in 
accordance with subsection (e)(3) until fully 
repaid; and
(ii) be amortized over the remaining term 
of the secured loan.
(C) Criteria.--Any payment deferral pursuant to 
subparagraph (A) shall be contingent on the project 
meeting--
(i) standards for reasonable assurance of 
repayment, as the Secretary shall establish; 
and
(ii) such other criteria as the Secretary 
may establish.
(4) Prepayment.--
(A) Use of excess revenues.--Any excess revenues 
from an eligible project that remain after satisfying 
scheduled debt service requirements on the project 
obligations and secured loan and all deposit 
requirements under the terms of any trust agreement, 
bond resolution, or similar agreement securing project 
obligations may be applied annually to prepay a secured 
loan under this section without penalty.
(B) Use of proceeds of refinancing.--A secured loan 
under this section may be prepaid at any time, without 
penalty, from the proceeds of refinancing from non-
Federal funding sources.
(g) Sale of Secured Loans.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), if the Secretary 
determines that the sale or reoffering of a secured loan under 
this section for an eligible project can be made on favorable 
terms, the Secretary may sell the loan to another entity or 
reoffer the loan into the capital markets as soon as 
practicable after the date of substantial completion of a 
project and after providing notice to the obligor.
(2) Consent of obligor.--In making a sale or reoffering 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not change the original 
terms and conditions of the secured loan without the written 
consent of the obligor.
(h) Loan Guarantees.--
(1) In general.--In lieu of making a secured loan under 
this section for an eligible project, the Secretary may provide 
a loan guarantee for a project obligation for the project 
funded by a qualified lender (as such term is defined in 
section 211), but only if the Secretary determines that the 
cost as such term is defined in section 502 of the Federal 
Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a) of the loan guarantee 
is substantially the same as or less than that of making a 
secured loan.
(2) Terms.--The terms of a loan guarantee provided under 
this subsection shall be consistent with the terms established 
in this section for a secured loan, except that the interest 
rate on the guaranteed loan and any prepayment features shall 
be negotiated between the obligor and the qualified lender, 
subject to the consent of the Secretary.

SEC. 209. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Requirement.--The Secretary shall establish a uniform system to 
service the Federal credit instruments made available under this title.
(b) Fees.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may collect and spend fees, 
to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, in 
amounts sufficient to cover--
(A) the costs of services obtained pursuant to 
subsection (d); and
(B) all or a portion of the costs to the Federal 
Government of servicing the Federal credit instruments 
provided under this title.
(c) Servicer.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may appoint a financial 
entity to assist the Secretary in servicing Federal credit 
instruments provided under this title.
(2) Duties.--A servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall 
act as the agent for the Secretary.
(3) Fee.--A servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall 
receive a servicing fee, subject to approval by the Secretary.
(d) Assistance From Experts.--The Secretary may retain the 
services, including counsel, of organizations and entities with 
expertise in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in 
the underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments provided 
under this title.

SEC. 210. STATE AND LOCAL PERMITS.

The provision of financial assistance under section 208 for an 
eligible project shall not--
(1) relieve any recipient of such assistance of any 
obligation to obtain any required State or local permit or 
approval with respect to the project;
(2) limit the right of any unit of State or local 
government to approve or regulate any rate of return on private 
equity invested in the project; or
(3) otherwise supersede any State or local law or 
regulation applicable to the construction or operation of the 
project.

SEC. 211. DEFINITIONS.

In this title, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Commercial sports.--The term ``commercial sport'' means 
a sports enterprise of which profit-making forms a major part.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an 
entity eligible pursuant to section 203 to receive financial 
assistance under section 208.
(3) Eligible project.--The term ``eligible project'' means 
a project for which financial assistance under section 208 may 
be provided, pursuant to section 204.
(4) Eligible project costs.--The term ``eligible project 
costs'' means, with respect to an eligible project, any costs 
of the project eligible under section 205 to be paid with 
amounts from a loan made or guaranteed pursuant to section 208.
(5) Federal credit instrument.--The term ``Federal credit 
instrument'' means a secured loan made, or loan guarantee 
provided, under section 208.
(6) Investment-grade rating.--The term ``investment-grade 
rating'' means, with respect to project obligations, a rating 
of BBB minus, Baa3, bbb minus, BBB (low), or higher as assigned 
by a rating agency.
(7) Loan guarantee.--The term ``loan guarantee'' means any 
guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary to pay all or part 
of the principal of, and interest on, a loan or other debt 
obligation.
(8) Obligor.--The term ``obligor'' means--
(A) with respect to a Federal credit instrument 
that is a secured loan under section 208, the eligible 
entity that is primarily liable for payment of the 
principal of, or interest on, the loan; and
(B) with respect to a Federal credit instrument 
that is a loan guarantee under section 208(h), the 
eligible entity that is primarily liable for payment of 
the loan or other debt obligation repayment of which is 
guaranteed pursuant to such section.
(9) Project obligation.--The term ``project obligation'' 
means, with respect to an eligible project, any note, bond, 
debenture, or other debt obligation issued by an obligor in 
connection with the financing of the project. Such term does 
not include a Federal credit instrument.
(10) Qualified lender.--
(A) In general.--The term ``qualified lender'' 
means any non-Federal qualified institutional buyer, as 
such term is defined in section 230.144A(a) of title 
17, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
regulation), known as Rule 144A(a) of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission and issued under the Securities 
Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.).
(B) Inclusions.--Such term includes--
(i) a qualified retirement plan (as defined 
in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986) that is a qualified institutional 
buyer; and
(ii) a governmental plan (as defined in 
section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986) that is a qualified institutional buyer.
(11) Rating agency.--The term ``rating agency'' means a 
credit rating agency registered with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission as a nationally recognized statistical 
rating organization (as defined in section 3(a) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).
(12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Housing and Urban Development.
(13) Secured loan.--The term ``secured loan'' means a 
direct loan or other debt obligation issued by an obligor and 
funded by the Secretary pursuant to section 208.
(14) State.--The term ``State'' means a State, the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other 
territory or possession of the United States.
(15) State infrastructure financing authority.--The term 
``State infrastructure financing authority'' means the State 
entity established or designated by the Governor of a State to 
receive assistance under this title.
(16) Subsidy amount.--The term ``subsidy amount'' means, 
with respect to a Federal credit instrument, the amount of 
budget authority sufficient to cover the estimated long-term 
cost to the Federal Government of the Federal credit 
instrument, as calculated on a net present value basis, 
excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects on 
governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the Federal 
Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
(17) Substantial completion.--The term ``substantial 
completion'' means, with respect to a project, the earliest 
date on which a project is considered capable of performing the 
functions for which the project is designed.

SEC. 212. REGULATIONS.

The Secretary may issue such regulations as the Secretary considers 
appropriate to carry out this title.

SEC. 213. FUNDING.

From amounts made available for Federal purposes under section 5 of 
the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-7), 
there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this title $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to 
remain available until expended, of which in each such fiscal year--
(1) the Secretary may use for the administration of this 
title, including program administration under section 209, not 
more than $2,200,000; and
(2) the remainder shall be available for costs (as such 
term is defined in section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act 
of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a)) of loans and loan guarantees under 
section 208.

SEC. 214. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a 
report summarizing the financial performance of the projects that are 
receiving, or have received, assistance under this title, including a 
recommendation as to whether the objectives of this title are being 
met.
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