Bill Summary
The "Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act" is legislation aimed at enhancing the wellness of veterans through structured outdoor recreation programs. It mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a grant program that provides funding to state entities responsible for veteran services.
Under this program, states can use grant funds for various purposes, including developing new outdoor recreation initiatives, partnering with local organizations, reducing financial barriers for participation, and increasing outreach to veterans. The act encourages collaboration between state entities and federal land management agencies to improve veterans' access to outdoor spaces.
To qualify for grants, states must submit an application detailing their plans and how they will measure the program's impact. Each approved state entity is guaranteed a minimum grant of $200,000 per fiscal year, with up to $10 million authorized for the program annually. The legislation aims to foster social connections, physical activity, and overall well-being among veterans through outdoor activities.
Possible Impacts
The "Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act" can have several positive impacts on individuals and communities. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Mental and Physical Health for Veterans**: The Act aims to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs designed specifically for veterans. Participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, or team sports can significantly improve veterans' mental health by reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Physical activities can also lead to better physical health outcomes, such as increased fitness levels and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
2. **Increased Community Engagement and Social Connection**: By facilitating opportunities for veterans to engage in outdoor recreational activities, the Act fosters social connections among participants. This sense of community can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness that many veterans experience after returning from service. Building partnerships with local organizations and community groups can also enhance social bonds and encourage a supportive environment for veterans.
3. **Economic Opportunities for Local Businesses**: The Act allows covered State entities to contract with local outfitters, guides, and nonprofit organizations to conduct outdoor recreation programs. This can create economic opportunities for local businesses, as they may see an increase in demand for services and products related to outdoor activities. Additionally, reducing financial barriers for veterans to participate in these programs can lead to increased spending in the local economy, benefiting various sectors such as hospitality, retail, and recreation.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4197 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4197
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program
under which the Secretary shall award grants to certain State entities
to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans
that enhance veteran wellness, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 25, 2026
Mr. Cramer (for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Boozman, and Ms. Slotkin)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program
under which the Secretary shall award grants to certain State entities
to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans
that enhance veteran wellness, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation
Act''.
SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR
VETERANS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish
a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to covered State
entities to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for
veterans that enhance veteran wellness.
(b) Use of Amounts.--A covered State entity awarded a grant under
this section may use amounts under such grant as follows:
(1) To directly develop and administer an outdoor
recreation program for veterans.
(2) To contract with local outfitters, guides, nonprofit
organizations, or community-based outdoor recreation providers
to conduct such program.
(3) To develop partnerships to deliver structured outdoor
programming for veterans.
(4) To reduce financial barriers to participation in such
program, including equipment, program fees, and reasonable
transportation costs.
(5) To conduct outreach to veteran populations to raise
awareness about such program.
(6) To expand an existing outdoor recreation program for
veterans operated in the State.
(7) To coordinate with Federal agencies involved in land
management with respect to such program, including the
following:
(A) The National Park Service.
(B) The Bureau of Land Management.
(C) The Forest Service.
(D) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(E) The Army Corps of Engineers.
(c) Collaboration and Coordination.--
(1) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall encourage
collaboration between covered State entities participating in
the grant program under this section and the Federal agencies
described in subsection (b)(7) to--
(A) expand access by veterans to outdoor spaces;
(B) to reduce administrative barriers; and
(C) to identify appropriate locations for organized
activities.
(2) Coordination.--The Secretary shall encourage covered
State entities participating in the grant program under this
section to coordinate with other covered State entities to
maximize access by veterans to outdoor recreation
opportunities.
(d) Application Requirements.--To receive a grant under this
section, a covered State entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application therefor that includes the following:
(1) A plan for administering funds awarded under such
grant.
(2) Criteria for selecting partners for the outdoor
recreation program or programs carried out by such entity.
(3) A certification that the outdoor recreation program or
programs carried out by such entity meet qualification
standards determined by the State.
(4) Methods for collecting data for participation in the
outdoor recreation program or programs carried out by such
entity.
(e) Approval of Application and Funding Amounts.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, each covered State entity that submits an
application meeting the requirements under subsection (d) for a
grant under this section shall be approved to receive such
grant in an amount of not less than $200,000 for the applicable
fiscal year.
(2) Additional amounts.--If additional amounts are
available for a fiscal year to carry out this section, those
additional amounts shall be distributed among the covered State
entities for which an application under subsection (d) was
approved under paragraph (1).
(f) Reports.--Not less frequently than annually, each covered State
entity in receipt of a grant under this section shall submit to the
Secretary a report that includes the following:
(1) Participation metrics regarding any outdoor recreation
program carried out by such entity with amounts provided under
such grant, including--
(A) the types of activities funded and partnerships
established under such program;
(B) the number of veterans served under such
program;
(C) frequency of participation by veterans under
such program; and
(D) demographic distribution of veterans
participating in such program.
(2) Observations with respect to any outdoor recreation
program carried out by such entity, including--
(A) self-reported changes in well-being of
veterans;
(B) social connectedness indicators; and
(C) physical activity engagement.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Outdoor recreation program.--The term ``outdoor
recreation program'' means a nature-based activity designed to
improve the mental and physical well-being of veterans,
including activities that promote physical engagement, peer
connection, skill-building, or therapeutic benefit, and may
include adaptive or accessible activities designed to
accommodate veterans with disabilities.
(2) Covered state entity.--The term ``covered State
entity'' means the primary agency of a State that is
responsible for programs and services for veterans.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $10,000,000 for each
fiscal year to carry out this section.
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