Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to pass "Community Parks Revitalization Act."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution respectfully urging Congress to pass the federal "Community Parks Revitalization Act."
Whereas, The proposed federal "Community Parks Revitalization Act," introduced in the United States House of Representatives as H.R. 2424 on June 18, 2013, requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a community revitalization program consisting of federal grants to eligible local governments; and
Whereas, Any applicant for a grant under the "Community Parks Revitalization Act" must submit to the Secretary evidence of its commitment to ongoing planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance programs for its park and recreation systems; and
Whereas, The legislation includes a safeguard provision to prevent the misuse of funds by prohibiting conversion, without HUD approval, of any property improved or developed with assistance provided pursuant to the "Community Parks Revitalization Act," for uses other than for public recreation; and
Whereas, The legislation, as introduced, provides the HUD Secretary with discretion to award such grants to certain communities which are in need but do not technically meet the criteria to be awarded a grant under the proposed program; and
Whereas, Public parks and recreation areas are vital to the development and maintenance of municipalities throughout the State, though State funding is limited with respect to creating and maintaining public recreational areas; and
Whereas, Congress is urged to enact the "Community Parks Revitalization Act," to provide federal grant opportunities to New Jersey communities that are in need of new or updated public recreation areas; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly respectfully urges Congress to pass the "Community Parks Revitalization Act," introduced in the United States House of Representatives as H.R. 2424 on June 18, 2013.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the New Jersey congressional delegation and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
STATEMENT
This resolution respectfully urges Congress to enact the federal "Community Parks Revitalization Act," introduced in the United States House of Representatives as H.R.2424 on June 18, 2013. Public parks and recreation areas are vital to the development and maintenance of municipalities throughout the State. The proposed federal "Community Parks Revitalization Act" requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a community revitalization program consisting of federal grants to eligible local governments. Any applicant for a grant under the "Community Parks Revitalization Act" must submit to the Secretary evidence of its commitment to ongoing planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance programs for its park and recreation systems. Such grants could benefit communities throughout New Jersey.
The legislation also includes a safeguard to prevent the misuse of funds by prohibiting the conversion, without HUD approval, of any property improved or developed with assistance provided pursuant to the "Community Parks Revitalization Act," for uses other than for public recreation.