Recreational Trails Program Included In House Highway Bill

Horsecouncil.org

Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/22/2015

On October 22, 2015, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved its version of a multi-year national highway bill known as the STRR Act. (HR 3763). The bill would reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

Since its inception RTP has provided money for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for all recreational trail users. It is funded with a portion of the gas taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund by recreational off-highway vehicle users.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed its version of a multi-year national highway bill, called the DRIVE Act. The Senate bill would also reauthorize Recreational Trails Program.

It is a victory for recreational users that RTP has been included in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.

The full House must now take action on the bill.

If you have any questions, please contact the AHC at http://www.horsecouncil.org/.