SB 1196: Boosting Idaho Parks and Rec Budget — 2023

Senate Bill 1196 was approved by the budget-setting Joint Finance and Administration Committee.

Among other investments, the bill will provide $95 million to address deferred maintenance, infrastructure, and conservation partnerships.

According to a news release from Governor Little, “the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation will leverage the $[95] million to expand capacity and enhance accommodations to keep up with record attendance at the state’s world class parks… to take care of our current public lands in addition to a new funding mechanism to responsibly manage and expand access to Idaho’s great outdoors.

Idaho’s 30 state parks averaged 7.4 million visitors in 2020, 2021, and 2022, representing a 27-percent increase over the visitation from the prior five years.”

The Department of Parks and Recreation will leverage these funds to expand capacity and enhance accommodations to keep up with this record attendance at the state’s parks.