The Legislative Committee provides a strong presence promoting the legislative agenda of parks and recreation during sessions of the Texas Legislature.
Accomplishments have included:
Passage of Bond Initiatives authorizing repairs/ renovations for state parks
Restoration of the Texas Recreation & Parks Account and the removal of previous "cap"
Creation of Large County & Municipal Recreation & Parks Account
Bicycle helmet safety
Ever-ready, this committee has an immediate response system via telephone, facsimile and e-mail networks to quickly inform you about and respond to issues that affect your profession. This committee and its network are known as Tier One.
As a benefit of our affiliation with NRPA, Society members are kept up-to-date on emerging issues in national politics as well. The NRPA staff includes full-time legislative awareness personnel charged with keeping current on national policy and local issues that can influence the future of parks and recreation services and programming.
Support Texas Parks:
Who will be next to sign the 83rd Session Legislature Resolution to support Texas parks?
Thanks to officials from Levelland, Laguna Vista, Port Isabel, Combes, Cameron County, La Feria, Primera, Los Fresnos, Odessa, Marble Falls, Arlington, Saginaw, Rancho Viejo, Rio Hondo, South Padre Island, Brownwood, Pearland, Webster, La Porte, Lake Jackson, Georgetown, Conroe, Garland, McAllen, The Woodlands Townsip, Hutto, West University Place, Texarkana, Elgin, Bastrop, San Angelo, Forney, Fort Worth, Kleberg County, Keller, Murphy, Denison, Mount Vernon, Richardson, El Campo, Grapevine, Rockwall, Harker Heights, Sugar Land, Baytown, Deer Park, and Fort Bend County for signing the 83rd Session Legislature Resolution.
Photo above: Lt. Governor David Dewhurst visited with Deer Park PARD Assistant Director Charlie Sandberg,
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tommy Ginn and Director Scott Swigert at Parks Day at the Texas Capitol Jan. 16. Photo Courtesy of Texas Senate Media Services
Texas Positions The Texas Recreation and Park Society supports the following positions:
Visit supporttexasparks.com for more information about this year's Legislatve efforts and how to get involved.
The following positions are held by TRAPS:
A. TRAPS takes the position of support of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) top legislative and advocacy priorities. NRPA annually supports a national agenda for public parks and recreation in America that will ensure:
Appropriate matching federal investments in local, regional, and state parks and recreation resources;
Conservation and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources;
Close-to-home access to parks and recreation resources for all, and
National policies that promote healthy lifestyles and livable communities.
NRPA supports national policies that promote physical activity, proper nutrition, child care, juvenile justice, and environmental sustainability.
NRPA believes that parks and recreation can improve the physical health and mental health of every person, and that parks and recreation should be an essential public service of every community in America. Recommendations of the State Park Advisory Board Report including:
$25 million in annual appropriations for the Texas Recreation & Parks Account
Increased funding for the State Park operations, maintenance, acquisition and capital improvements to meet current and future needs.
Ensure that no legislative appropriation riders set aside TRPA money for specific projects or locales.
All TRPA fund awards should be subject to established competitive grant process. Click here to download a document wi information regarding TRAPS support for increased sporting goods sales tax appropriations for local and state parks.
Click here to view the 83rd Session Legislature Resolution and to support legislation that increases funding for Texas parks and recreation.
Economic Impact Study - Sunshine, Soccer and Success, completed by The Perryman Group, is now available on the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation's (TPRF) website, www.tprfoundation.org. The findings from this study are available for your review.
Also available is the Economic Engine of Parks and Recreation - Making Texas Greeenreport which promotes the "value of parks and recreation on the basis of the aesthetics, health, and cultural values they bring to Texas."
Tier One Responsibilities
Tier One, with the authorization of the TRAPS Board of Directors, represents the Society in addressing legislative issues, policies and procedures relating to the parks and recreation movement by:
Keeping abreast of both federal and state legislation
Working with advocates from other professions, associations, or interest groups to assist in the committee work on legislative issues
Personally contacting local legislators and supporters
Drafting resolutions for local councils and commissions to adopt in support of TRAPS legislative agendas and positions.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Tier One network or serving on the TRAPS Legislative Committee, please contact the TRAPS Office.
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