,,ii  #aad? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #ajgh  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,april #bc1 #bjae,mr4  
,he9ri* introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0  
read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on  
,en]gy & ,natural ,res\rces  ,a ,,bill  
,to au?orize ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior to
 c>ry out programs & activities t       
connect p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 especially 
*ildr51 y\?1 & families1 ) ! outdoors4  
#a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z 
! ,heal?y ,kids ,outdoors ,act ( #bjae4 
#b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds t--  7#a7     
*ildr5 today are sp5d+ less "t outdoors 
?an any g5]ation 9 human hi/ory1 z      
evid5c$ by /udies t %[ *ildr5 enjoy half
 z mu* "t outdoors today z *ildr5 did j 
#bj ye>s ago1 :ile *ildr5 sp5d m ?an #g 
h\rs e day 9 front ( electronic m$ia2   
7#b7 ! heal? ( *ildr5 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
is at risk z evid5c$ by ! gr[+ obesity  
crisis 9 :i*1 dur+ ! pa/ #cj ye>s1 !    
*ildhood obesity rate has m ?an d\bl$ & 
! adolesc5t obesity rate has quadrupl$1 
co/+ ! economy ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates        

billions ( doll>s ea* ye>2  7#c7 ! rise 
9 *ildhood obesity has _h a negative    
economic impact2  7#d7 ! read9ess ( !   
milit>y is decl9+ z ne>ly #a 9 #d       
applicants to ! milit>y is reject$ = be+
 ov]weight or obese1 :i* is ! mo/ common
 reason = m$ical disqualification2  7#e7
 rese>* has %[n t milit>y *ildr5 &      
families are fac+ increas$ /ress & m5tal
 /ra9 & *all5ges due to multiple1 ext5d$
 deploym5ts2  7#f7 milit>y family s]vice
 organizations h develop$ programs t    
connect milit>y *ildr5 & families )     
positive1 mean+ful outdoor exp]i5ces t  
b5efit m5tal & physical heal?1 b !      
programs lack suffici5t res\rces to meet
 increas+ dem&2  7#g7 ! outdoor retail  
indu/ry1 _m local t\ri/ de/9ations or   
gateway communities1 & ,/ate fi% &      
wildlife ag5cies rely on rev5ue g5]at$ f
 individuals sp5d+ "t outdoors to create
 jobs 9 local communities2  7#h7 ov] !  
pa/ sev]al ye>s1 urbanization1 *ang+ l& 
use patt]ns1 increas+ road traffic1 &   
inadequate solutions to address+ ^?     

*all5ges 9 ! built environm5t h comb9$  
to make x m difficult = _m p 9 ! ,unit$ 
,/ates to walk or bike to s*ools1 p>ks1 
& play areas or exp]i5ce ! natural      
environm5t2  7#i7 sp5d+ "t 9 gre5 spaces
 outside ! home1 includ+ public l&1     
p>ks1 play areas1 & g>d5s--  7,a7       
increases conc5tration1 inhibition (    
initial impulses1 & self-discipl9e 9    
*ildr52 &  7,b7 has be5 %[n to r$uce    
/ress & m5tal fatigue 9 *ildr52  7#aj7 9
 "o /udy1 *ildr5 :o 7 expos$ to gre5]   
environm5ts 9 a public h\s+ area        
demon/rat$ less aggression1 viol5ce1 &  
/ress2  7#aa7 visitation to public l& 9 
! ,unit$ ,/ates has decl9$ or rema9$    
flat 9 rec5t ye>s1 & yet1 connect+ )    
nature & ! great outdoors 9 communities 
is critical to fo/]+ ! next g5]ation (  
outdoor en?usia/s :o w visit1           
appreciate1 & become /ew>ds ( ! public  
l& 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  7#ab7 sp5d+ "t   
outdoors 9 nature--  7,a7 is b5eficial  
to ! physical1 m5tal1 & emotional heal? 
( *ildr52 &  7,b7 has be5 prov5--  7i7  

to decrease symptoms ( att5tion deficit 
& hyp]activity disord] 9 *ildr52  7ii7  
to /imulate bra9 developm5t1 improve    
motor skills1 result 9 bett] sleep1     
r$uce /ress1 increase creativity1 &     
improve moods 9 *ildr52 &  7iii7 to     
r$uce ! risk ( develop+ myopia 9 *ildr52
  7#ac7 *ildr5 :o sp5d "t play+ outside 
are m likely to take risks1 seek out    
adv5ture1 develop self-confid5ce1 &     
respect ! value ( nature2  7#ad7 a      
direct *ildhood exp]i5ce ) nature be=e !
 age ( #aa promotes a long-t]m          
connection to nature2  7#ae7 cons]vation
 education & outdoor recreation         
exp]i5ces su* z camp+1 hik+1 boat+1     
hunt+1 fi%+1 ar*]y1 recreational %oot+1 
wildlife wat*+1 & o!r exp]i5ces are     
critical to engag+ "y p 9 ! outdoors2   
7#af7 z *ildr5 become m disconnect$ f ! 
natural _w1 ! hunt+ & angl+ cons]vation 
legacy ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates is at risk2    
7#ag7 hunt]s & angl]s play a critical   
role 9 reconnect+ "y p ) nature1        
protect+ ! natural res\rces ( ! ,unit$  

,/ates1 & fo/]+ a lifelong und]/&+ ( !  
value ( cons]v+ ! natural _w2  7#ah7    
rese>* demon/rates t hunt]s t become    
engag$ 9 hunt+ z *ildr5 are among ! mo/ 
active & int]e/$ hunt]s z adults2  7#ai7
 ! va/ majority ( hunt]s report t !     
hunt]s 7 introduc$ to hunt+ betwe5 !    
ages ( #aj & #ab1 ) ! ov]:elm+ majority 
( *ildr5 be+ introduc$ to hunt+ by an   
adult2  7#bj7 p>ks & recreation1        
y\?-s]v+1 s]vice-le>n+1 cons]vation1    
heal?1 education1 & built-environm5t    
organizations1 facilities1 & p]sonnel   
provide critical res\rces &             
infra/ructure = connect+ *ildr5 &       
families ) nature2  7#ba7 x takes _m    
d$icat$ p to "w to pres]ve1 protect1    
enhance1 & re/ore natural res\rces 9 !  
,unit$ ,/ates2  7#bb7 ) an ag+ work=ce 9
 ! natural res\rce pr(essions1 x is     
critical = ! next g5]ation to h an      
appreciation = nature & be ready to take
 ov] ! responsibilities relat+ to !     
natural res\rces ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2     
7#bc7 place-bas$ s]vice-le>n+           

opportunities use l& & wat] z ! context 
= le>n+ by engag+ /ud5ts 9 ! process (  
exploration1 action1 & reflection2      
7#bd7 physical activity outdoors        
connect$ ) mean+ful community s]vice to 
solve real-_w problems1 su* z remov+    
invasive plants or remov+ tra% f a      
/reamb$1 /r5g!ns communities by engag+  
y\? z citiz5 /ew>ds2  7#be7 ,/ates &    
community-bas$ p>tn]s h "s notable      
programs t connect *ildr5 & families )  
nature1 yet mo/ ,/ates lack suffici5t   
res\rces & a compreh5sive /rategy to    
effectively engage ,/ate ag5cies across 
multiple fields2 &  7#bf7 ,/ates ne$ to 
engage 9 cross-sector ag5cy & nonpr(it  
collaboration t involves public heal? & 
wellness1 p>ks & recreation1            
transportation & city plann+1 & o!r     
sectors focus$ on connect+ *ildr5 &     
families ) ! outdoors to increase       
coord9ation & effective implem5tation ( 
! policy tools & programs t a ,/ate c   
br+ to be> to provide outdoor           
opportunities = *ildr5 & families4  #c4 

,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,eligible 
entity ,! t]m eligible entity means--   
7,a7 a ,/ate2 or  7,b7 a consortium f "o
 ,/ate t includes ! ,/ate & local       
p>tn]s4  7#b7 ,local p>tn] ,! t]m local 
p>tn] means-- 7,a7 a unit ( local       
gov]nm5t2  7,b7 a tribal gov]nm5t2  7,c7
 a p>ks & recreation dep>tm5t or        
di/rict2  7,d7 a s*ool di/rict2  7,e7 an
 in/itution ( high] education2  7,f7 a  
nonpr(it organization2 &  7,g7 a        
consortium ( entities describ$ 9        
subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,f74  7#c7     
,national /rategy ,! t]m national       
/rategy means ! national /rategy        
develop$ "u section #e7;a74  7#d7       
,secret>y ,! t]m ,secret>y means !      
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior4  7#e7 ,/ate ,!  
t]m ,/ate means any ( ! sev]al ,/ates1 !
 ,di/rict ( ,columbia1 ! ,commonweal? ( 
,pu]to ,rico1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,virg9    
,isl&s1 ,guam1 ,am]ican ,samoa1 !       
,commonweal? ( ! ,nor!rn ,m>iana ,isl&s1
 any o!r t]ritory or possession ( !     
,unit$ ,/ates1 or any ,indian tribe4    

7#f7 ,/ate /rategy ,! t]m ,/ate /rategy 
means a ,/ate /rategy develop$ "u       
section #d7;a74  #d4 ,coop]ative        
agreem5ts = developm5t or implem5tation 
( heal?y kids outdoors ,/ate /rategies  
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y may issue to  
an eligible entity a coop]ative agreem5t
 = ea* ,/ate = ! developm5t1            
implem5tation1 & updat+ by ! eligible   
entity ( a #e-ye> ,/ate /rategy1 to be  
kn[n z a ,heal?y ,kids ,outdoors ,/ate  
,/rategy1 t is design$ to enc\rage p 9 !
 ,unit$ ,/ates 7especially *ildr51 y\?1 
& families7 to be physically active     
outdoors4  7b7 ,submission & approval ( 
/rategies  7#a7 ,applications ,an       
application = a coop]ative agreem5t "u  
subsection 7a7 %all--  7,a7 be submitt$ 
by ! eligible entity to ! ,secret>y n   
lat] ?an #abj days aft] ! date on :i* ! 
,secret>y publi%es guidel9es "u         
subsection 7f77#a72 &  7,b7 include--   
7i7 a ,/ate /rategy t meets !           
requirem5ts ( subsection 7c71 z det]m9$ 
by ! ,secret>y2 or  7ii7 a proposal = ! 

developm5t & submission to ! ,secret>y (
 a ,/ate /rategy4  7#b7 ,approval (     
/rategy2 pe] review ,n lat] ?an #ij days
 aft] ! date on :i* a ,/ate /rategy is  
submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b77i71 !    
,secret>y %all1 ?r\gh a pe] review      
process1 approve1 or recomm5d *anges to1
 ! ,/ate /rategy4  7#c7 ,/ate /rategy   
updates  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,an eligible     
entity t receives funds "u ?is section  
%all update ! ,/ate /rategy at lea/ once
 e #e ye>s4  7,b7 ,fund+ ,fund+ to an   
eligible entity "u ?is section %all be  
t]m9at$ if ! eligible entity does n--   
7i7 update ! ,/ate /rategy 9 accordance 
) subp>agraph 7,a72 or  7ii7 provide to 
! ,secret>y reports t docum5t--  7,i7 ! 
results ( evaluation me?ods consi/5t ) !
 guidel9es publi%$ "u subsection        
7f77#a72 &  7,,ii7 lessons le>n$ f      
implem5t+ ! ,/ate /rategy4  7c7         
,compreh5sive /rategy requirem5ts ,ea*  
,/ate /rategy %all include-- 7#a7 a     
description ( ways 9 :i* ! eligible     
entity w enc\rage p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates   

7especially *ildr51 y\?1 & families7 to 
be physically active 9 ! outdoors       
?r\gh--  7,a7 ,/ate1 local1 & tribal--  
7i7 public heal? sy/ems2  7ii7 public   
p>ks & recreation sy/ems2 &  7iii7      
public transportation & city plann+     
sy/ems2 &  7,b7 o!r public sy/ems t     
connect p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7especially 
*ildr51 y\?1 & families7 to ! outdoors2 
7#b7 a description ( ways 9 :i* !       
eligible entity w p>tn] ) nongov]nm5tal 
organizations 7includ+ organizations    
s]v+ milit>y families & tribal ag5cies71
 ) an emphasis on organizations s]v+    
*ildr51 y\?1 & families2  7#c7 a        
description ( ways 9 :i* ,/ate ag5cies w
 collaborate ) ea* o!r to implem5t !    
,/ate /rategy2  7#d7 a description (    
ways 9 :i* fund+ w be exp5d$ ?r\gh local
 plann+ & implem5tation subgrants "u    
subsection 7d72  7#e7 a description (   
ways 9 :i* ! eligible entity w evaluate 
! effectiv5ess (1 & measure ! impact (1 
! ,/ate /rategy1 includ+ an e/imate ( ! 
co/s associat$ ) ! evaluation2  7#f7 a  

description ( ways 9 :i* ! eligible     
entity w provide opportunities = public 
involvem5t 9 develop+ & implem5t+ !     
,/ate /rategy2  7#g7 a description (    
ways 9 :i* ! ,/ate /rategy w increase   
visitation to ,f$]al public l& )9 !     
,/ate2 &  7#h7 a description ( ways 9   
:i* ! eligible entity w lev]age private 
funds to exp& opportunities & fur!r     
implem5t ! ,/ate /rategy4  7d7 ,local   
plann+ & implem5tation  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,a
 ,/ate /rategy %all provide = !         
provision ( subgrants f ! eligible      
entity to local p>tn]s to implem5t !    
,/ate /rategy ?r\gh "o or m ( ! program 
activities describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74    
7#b7 ,program activities ,program       
activities ref]r$ to 9 p>agraph 7#a7 may
 include--  7,a7 implem5t+ outdoor      
recreation & y\? m5tor+ programs t      
provide opportunities to exp]i5ce !     
outdoors1 be physically active1 & tea*  
skills = lifelong p>ticipation 9 outdoor
 activities1 includ+ fi%+1 hunt+1       
recreational %oot+1 ar*]y1 hik+1 camp+1 

outdoor play 9 natural environm5ts1 &   
wildlife wat*+2  7,b7 implem5t+ programs
 t connect communities ) safe p>ks1 gre5
 spaces1 & outdoor recreation areas     
?r\gh af=dable public transportation &  
trail sy/ems t enc\rage walk+1 bik+1 &  
increas$ physical activity outdoors2    
7,c7 implem5t+-- 7i7 s*ool-bas$ programs
 t use outdoor le>n+ environm5ts1 su* z 
wildlife habitats or g>d5s2 &  7ii7     
programs t use s]vice le>n+ to re/ore   
natural areas & ma9ta9 recreational     
assets2 &  7,d7 implem5t+ education     
programs = p>5ts & c>egiv]s ab\t ! heal?
 b5efits ( active "t outdoors to fight  
obesity & increase ! quality ( life = p 
9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7especially *ildr51   
y\?1 & families74  7e7 ,priority ,9 mak+
 coop]ative agreem5ts "u subsection 7a7 
& subgrants "u subsection 7d77#a71 !    
,secret>y & ! eligible entity1          
respectively1 %all give pref]5ce to     
eligible entities & local p>tn]s t s]ve 
individuals t h limit$ opportunities to 
exp]i5ce nature1 includ+ individuals t--

  7#a7 are socioeconomically            
disadvantag$2  7#b7 h a disability2 or  
7#c7 suff] disproportionately f physical
 & m5tal heal? /ressors4  7f7 ,guidel9es
 ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date (    
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & aft] notice &    
opportunity = public comm5t1 ! ,secret>y
 %all publi% 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/]         
guidel9es on ! implem5tation ( ?is ,act1
 includ+ guidel9es =--  7#a7 develop+ & 
submitt+ /rategies & evaluation me?ods  
"u subsection 7b72 &  7#b7 te*nical     
assi/ance & dissem9ation ( be/ practices
 "u section #g4  7g7 ,reports ,n lat]   
?an #b ye>s aft] ! date on :i* !        
,secret>y approves ! ,/ate /rategy ( an 
eligible entity receiv+ funds "u ?is    
section1 & e ye> !reaft]1 ! eligible    
entity %all submit to ! ,secret>y a     
report on ! implem5tation ( ! ,/ate     
/rategy bas$ on ! evaluation & assessm5t
 ( ! eligible entity 9 meet+ ! goals    
specifi$ 9 ! ,/ate /rategy4  7h7        
,allocation ( funds ,an eligible entity 
receiv+ am\nts f a coop]ative agreem5t  

issu$ "u subsection 7a7 = a fiscal ye>--
  7#a7 may use n m ?an #e p]c5t ( !     
fund+ = adm9i/rative exp5ses2 &  7#b7   
%all use at lea/ #ie p]c5t ( ! fund+ to 
provide subgrants to local p>tn]s "u    
subsection 7d74  7i7 ,mat*+ requirem5t  
,an eligible entity receiv+ am\nts f a  
coop]ative agreem5t issu$ "u subsection 
7a7 = a fiscal ye> %all provide a       
#be-p]c5t mat* ?r\gh 9-k9d contributions
 or ca%4  #e4 ,national /rategy =       
enc\rag+ p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates to be      
active outdoors  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat]   
?an ,septemb] #cj1 #bjaf1 ! ,presid5t1 9
 coop]ation ) ! heads ( appropriate     
,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies1 %all develop
 & issue a national /rategy = enc\rag+ p
 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7especially *ildr51  
y\?1 & families7 to be physically active
 outdoors4  7b7 ,requirem5ts ,! /rategy 
develop$ "u subsection 7a7 %all         
include--  7#a7 ! id5tification (--     
7,a7 b>ri]s to p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates      
7especially *ildr51 y\?1 & families7    
sp5d+ "t outdoors2 &  7,b7 specific     

policy solutions to address ! b>ri]s    
id5tifi$ "u subp>agraph 7,a72  7#b7 !   
id5tification ( opportunities =         
p>tn]%ips ) ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 tribal1 &    
local p>tn]s2  7#c7 ! coord9ation (     
ef=ts among ! heads ( appropriate ,f$]al
 dep>tm5ts & ag5cies to address !       
impacts ( p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates           
7especially *ildr51 y\?1 & families7    
sp5d+ less active "t outdoors on--  7,a7
 public heal?1 includ+ *ildhood obesity1
 att5tion deficit disord]s & /ress2     
7,b7 ! future ( cons]vation 9 ! ,unit$  
,/ates2 &  7,c7 ! economy ( ! ,unit$    
,/ates2  7#d7 ! id5tification ( ongo+   
rese>* ne$s to docum5t ! heal?1         
cons]vation1 economic1 & o!r outcomes ( 
implem5t+ ! national /rategy & ,/ate    
/rategies2  7#e7 ! coord9ation &        
alignm5t ( ! national /rategy ) ,/ate   
/rategies2 &  7#f7 an action plan =     
implem5t+ ! national /rategy at ! ,f$]al
 level4  7c7 ,/rategy developm5t  7#a7  
,public p>ticipation ,?r\gh\t ! process 
( develop+ ! national /rategy "u ?is    

section1 ! ,presid5t--  7,a7 may use1   
incorporate1 or o!rwise consid] exi/+   
,f$]al plans & /rategies t1 9 :ole or 9 
"p1 contribute to connect+ p 9 ! ,unit$ 
,/ates1 especially *ildr51 y\?1 &       
families1 ) ! outdoors2 &  7,b7 %all    
provide = public p>ticipation1 includ+ a
 national summit ( p>ticipants )        
demon/rat$ exp]tise 9 enc\rag+          
individuals to be physically active     
outdoors 9 nature4  7#b7 ,updat+ !      
national /rategy  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!      
,presid5t %all update ! national /rategy
 n lat] ?an #e ye>s aft] ! date on :i* !
 fir/ national /rategy is issu$ "u      
subsection 7a71 & e #e ye>s !reaft]4    
7,b7 ,requirem5ts ,9 updat+ ! national  
/rategy "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,presid5t
 %all incorporate results ( ! evaluation
 "u section #f4  #f4 ,national          
evaluation ( heal? impacts ,! ,secret>y1
 9 coord9ation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & 
,human ,s]vices1 %all--  7#a7 develop   
recomm5dations = appropriate evaluation 
measures & crit]ia = a /udy ( national  

significance on ! heal? impacts ( !     
national /rategy & ,/ate /rategies "u   
?is ,act2 &  7#b7 c>ry out ! /udy "u    
p>agraph 7#a74  #g4 ,te*nical assi/ance 
& be/ practices ,! ,secret>y %all-- 7#a7
 provide te*nical assi/ance to eligible 
entities & local p>tn]s "u section #d   
?r\gh coop]ative agreem5ts ) national   
organizations ) a prov5 track record (  
enc\rag+ p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7especially
 *ildr51 y\?1 & families7 to be         
physically active outdoors2 &  7#b7     
dissem9ate be/ practices t em]ge f      
/rategies fund$ "u ?is ,act4  #h4       
,au?orization ( appropriations  7a7 ,9  
g5]al ,!re are au?oriz$ to be           
appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y to c>ry out  
?is ,act--  7#a7 #a1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye>
 #bjaf2  7#b7 #b1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye>   
#bjag2 &  7#c7 #c1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye>  
#bjah4  7b7 ,limitation ,( ! am\nts made
 available to c>ry out ?is ,act = a     
fiscal ye>1 n m ?an #e p]c5t may be made
 available = c>ry+ out section #g4  7c7 
,o!r funds ,funds made available "u ?is 

,act %all be us$ to supplem5t1 & n      
supplant1 any o!r ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or     
local funds available = activities t    
enc\rage p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7especially
 *ildr51 y\?1 & families7 to be         
physically active outdoors4