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 engages in such actions 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 being taken. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the need for public transparency by requiring municipalities to hold a public hearing prior to any land conversion, detailing the reasons for the action and the description of the replacement land.

Key insertions in the bill include the terms "converts or repurposes," which broaden the scope of land actions that trigger replacement requirements, and the specification that the land in question can include any land in the municipality's possession. The bill also mandates that municipalities provide notice of the public hearing in a local newspaper and outlines the timing and frequency of such notices. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accountability and ensure that municipalities adequately replace parkland when it is repurposed for other uses.

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