SB3266 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38168 JAG 68301 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3266

Introduced 2/6/2024, by Sen. Craig Wilcox

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Act. Establishes the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry within the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Governor shall appoint the Director of the Office. Provides that the Director shall appoint an Outdoor Recreation Industry Advisory Council to provide guidance to the Director in carrying out the purposes of the Office. Adds provisions governing the composition, duties, and operation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning outdoor recreation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Act.

Section 5. Purposes. The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The outdoor recreation industry does more than bring joy to millions of Americans. It helps drive our economy. In 2019, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released national statistics that demonstrate the economic output of outdoor recreation to be $778 billion, surpassing industries such as mining, utilities, farming and ranching, and chemical products manufacturing.

(2) According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the outdoor recreation industry is growing rapidly, eclipsing the overall GDP increase.

(3) Outdoor recreation generates millions of high-quality, high-paying jobs from coast to coast and across a wide variety of industries, ranging from manufacturing to retail to tourism. These jobs play a critical role in the economic health of local and state economies.

(4) The Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2019 State-level data show that outdoor recreation in Illinois contributes $15.6 Billion of Value Added (GDP) to the State's economy and directly supports 165,565 jobs.

(5) Illinois' protected public lands comprise less than 10% of the State. The State of Illinois manages 309 State parks and recreational sites on more than 475,000 acres of land.

(6) The public spaces for outdoor recreation are drivers of tourism to Illinois.

(7) Increasing access to the outdoors and participation in outdoor recreation programs and services of the outdoor recreation economy are critical to improving the health and wellness of all residents, maintaining residents' quality of life, and developing future environmental stewards and conservationists to build on our public lands heritage.

(8) Promoting and enhancing Illinois' outdoor recreation economy will benefit all residents and can particularly support rural communities that are gateways to outdoor recreation locations and opportunities.

(9) Seventeen states have already created an Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry to increase investment in and support the booming outdoor recreation economy in their respective states.

Section 10. Definition. In this Act, "outdoor recreation" means a pursuit that occurs in a natural environment or physical landscape, including various active and passive, motorized and nonmotorized sports and activities.

Section 15. Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry; Director; appointment; Outdoor Recreation Industry Advisory Council.

(a) There is created within the Department of Natural Resources the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry.

(b) The Governor shall appoint a Director of the Office.

(c) The Director shall report to the Director of Natural Resources and may appoint staff.

(d) The Director shall assure that the duties of the Office provided in Section 20 are fulfilled.

(e) The Director shall appoint an Outdoor Recreation Industry Advisory Council to provide guidance to the Director in carrying out the purposes of the Office. The Council shall consist of no more than 20 members and the Director shall publish a public notice soliciting applicants for Council positions.

(f) Council members shall represent interests that conduct business in this State and that share the goal of promoting the growth of the outdoor recreation economy and outdoor recreation activities, not to exclude nonprofit organizations.

(g) Representation on the Council shall include a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and industries that contribute to this State's economy, as determined by the Director. For purposes of this Section, "outdoor recreation opportunities and industries" includes, but is not limited to: archery; hunting; fishing; boating; horseback riding; hiking, running, and other fitness activities; bicycling; winter and water sports and recreation; recreation vehicles and campgrounds; motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and other motorized recreation; trails and other outdoor recreation infrastructure; guides, outfitters, and other outdoor businesses that depend upon public lands; lodging and other visitor services; conservation and stewardship; real estate and community development; public health and wellness; education and workforce training; and financial and digital institutions and services.

Section 20. Duties of the Office. The Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry shall:

(1) increase outdoor recreation-based economic development, tourism, and ecotourism in the State by attracting outdoor recreation industries to this State; developing the growth of new business opportunities within this State; and marketing, advertising and securing media opportunities that reflect the opportunities for outdoor recreation in this State;

(2) promote the growth of the outdoor recreation economy in this State by increasing and promoting access to the outdoors, especially in under-parked or underrepresented or urban and rural communities, or both, and providing opportunities for stewardship and conservation of natural resources;

(3) coordinate with federal and State agencies and local government entities in the State to address matters related to the purposes described in this Act when the Director determines the coordination necessary or beneficial;

(4) recommend to the Governor policies and initiatives to enhance recreational amenities and experiences in the State, help implement those policies and initiatives, and report on the impacts of those policies and initiatives;

(5) develop or support, or both, development of data regarding the impacts of outdoor recreation in this State while ensuring national data are used as a benchmark factor in agency decision-making;

(6) promote the health and social benefits of outdoor recreation;

(7) advocate on behalf of the State for federal funding and participation in federal programs;

(8) create and maintain a statewide list of lands to be conserved, enhanced, or publicized for outdoor recreation; and

(9) apply for government or private grants to benefit the purposes outlined in this Act.