Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act
Veterans: Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Grants
Legislative Progress
This bill has strong bipartisan support and focuses on veteran mental health, which is a high priority for both parties in Congress.
Key Points
- The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to give grants to state agencies to create or expand outdoor programs for veterans. These programs would include activities like hiking, fishing, and other nature-based trips to help improve mental and physical health.
- States can use the money to hire local guides, partner with nonprofits, and buy equipment. The funds can also be used to pay for travel and fees so that veterans do not have to pay out of pocket to participate.
- The program is designed to be inclusive by offering activities that are modified for veterans with disabilities. It also encourages states to work with the National Park Service and the Forest Service to make it easier for veterans to access public lands.
- The bill authorizes $10 million in spending every year. Each state that applies and qualifies would be guaranteed at least $200,000 to run their local programs.
- States must report back to the government every year to show how many veterans they helped and if the programs actually improved the well-being and social connections of those who participated.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(3)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.