Establishing an office of outdoor recreation

This bill creates an office dedicated to outdoor recreation within Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The office will be led by a director and focus on promoting the outdoor recreation economy, ensuring equitable access, coordinating policies, recruiting funding, and collaborating with various stakeholders. It will also manage the Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to support related projects through grants. An annual report will be published detailing activities and financials.

MA H902 is a house bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by Natalie Blais (D), currently “Introduced” since February 27, 2025.

We track 6,656 Massachusetts bills this session, 41 of them sponsored by Natalie Blais.

Supporters praise the bill for boosting the state’s economy by enhancing outdoor recreation, creating jobs, and improving residents' quality of life. It promotes equity by ensuring everyone has access to natural spaces. The bill also encourages collaboration between government, non-profits, and businesses, and promises efficient use of resources through the Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

Critics argue the new office could unnecessarily expand government bureaucracy and question its effectiveness in achieving its ambitious goals. There may be concerns about the overlap with existing agencies and the potential for misallocated funds. Some might see it as prioritizing specific interests over broader community needs.