The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1498, seeks to amend the existing park replacement statute by introducing new requirements for municipalities that take, convert, or repurpose land originally acquired for park or recreational purposes. The bill stipulates that if a municipality repurposes such land for highway or other non-park purposes, it must provide comparable replacement land that is at least equal in value and size to the land taken. Additionally, the bill mandates that municipalities hold a public hearing prior to any such action, detailing the land involved, the reasons for the conversion, and the description of the replacement land.

Key insertions in the bill include the terms "converts or repurposes," which expand the scope of the statute to cover various forms of land use changes, and the requirement for public hearings to ensure community involvement in the decision-making process. The bill also clarifies that the land in question can include any land in the municipality's possession that was dedicated for park or recreational purposes. The effective date of the amendments will be upon passage, and the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public land designated for recreational use.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-131n
ENV Joint Favorable: 7-131n
File No. 613: 7-131n
APP Joint Favorable: 7-131n