Panel advances bill clarifying recreational authorities can award grants

The subcommittee considered legislation (listed in the hearing as Senate Bill 7 44) that clarifies authorities created under the Public Recreational Facilities Authorities Act may receive grants and also make grants to participating localities, the Commonwealth, political subdivisions, federal agencies or private parties to promote authority purposes such as tourism development.

Mike Sherman (Henrico County) explained the change was primarily clarifying language so sports and entertainment authorities can both accept and distribute grants without routing funds through local EDAs/IDAs, saying the substitute mirrors existing authority language and restores intended functionality. No opposition was recorded and the subcommittee voted to report the measure by an 8‑0 recorded vote.