ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 81

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 29, 2021

      The Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Resolution Bill No. 81.

      This resolution respectfully urges Congress to enact the federal “Community Parks Revitalization Act,” most recently introduced in the United States House of Representatives as H.R. 159 on January 4, 2021 or substantially similar legislation.  Public parks and recreation areas are vital to the development and maintenance of municipalities throughout the State.

      The proposed federal “Community Parks Revitalization Act” would require 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” would have to 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments update the resolution to refer to the most recent version of the federal “Community Parks Revitalization Act.”