Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Bill

[CouesWhitetail]

Action Alert—Immediate Attention Needed!

 

 

 

Legislature To Hear Testimony on House Bill 2443, the Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Bill

 

 

 

· The Game and Fish Commission has voted to Support this bill. (5-0)

 

 

 

· Proposed Amendment

 

 

 

The Arizona House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources and Public Safety will hear testimony on House Bill 2443 this Wednesday February 7, 2007 at 9:00am in House Hearing Room 1. This bill has been introduced to the Legislature by Representative Jerry Weiers and is the result of the Workgroup’s and a broad coalition of stakeholder’s collaborative efforts. The language may be found here. Keep in mind that this is the first major step in a lengthy legislative process and there will be opportunities for change.

 

In order for this legislation to be successful it will require a grass roots effort from not just off-highway vehicle users but all stakeholders. It is important that legislator’s hear your voice of support for this bill. Get the word out to your membership and encourage them to phone, write or e-mail their representatives and the committee members listed below. The more positive support the better.

 

Below are some talking points that can be used to convey the importance of getting this bill passed.

 

 

 

HB 2443 Provisions

 

 

 

Off-highway vehicle recreational use has increased by roughly 350 percent, or nearly 39 percent per year since 1998. During this time funding for off-highway vehicle recreation has grown by an average of approximately 4 percent, essentially only keeping pace with inflation. While keeping pace with inflation, the funding, and as a result OHV recreation management has come far from keeping pace with the dramatic increase in OHV recreation in Arizona.

 

 

Appropriates funding to bolster resources for Off-highway Vehicle Management in Arizona in key areas identified by stakeholders including off-highway vehicle facilities, access, law enforcement, education and safety.

 

 

Provides new laws that will better protect Arizona’s natural resources from inappropriate use of OHVs.

 

 

Improvements to safety equipment including a requirement for individuals younger than 18 to wear appropriate headgear.

 

 

An annual flat fee ($20) replaces the Vehicle License Tax for the registration of ATVs:

Reduced cost to consumer (VLT currently averages $97 per ATV, new cost anticipated to be much lower)

Includes ATVs, ATCs, (Dirt Bikes and here-wheelers), and UTVs (utility Vehicles like “Rangers”, “Rhinos”, and “Gators”)

Required equipment affidavit allows for “street legal” registration at no extra cost

 

 

Action is needed now! Both Workgroup members and other stakeholders will be testifying before the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday February 7, 2007 at 9:00am regarding House Bill 2443. Please try to attend this important meeting or contact the members of this committee as well as your respective state legislators and tell them that you fully support this legislation (phone calls are better than email). Legislators need to hear your voice on this issue. Without your help, Arizona off-highway vehicle recreational opportunities could be in jeopardy. Contact your legislators today.

 

 

 

Members of the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee

 

Members

Phone

E-mail

 

Ray Barnes

602-926-5503

rbarnes@azleg.gov

 

Andy Biggs

602-926-4371

abiggs@azleg.gov

 

Judy M. Burges

602-926-5861

jburges@azleg.gov

 

John Kavanagh

602-926-5170

jkavanagh@azleg.gov

 

Barbara McGuire

602-926-3012

bmcguire@azleg.gov

 

John B. Nelson

602-926-5872

jnelson@azleg.gov

 

Lynne Pancrazi

602-926-3004

lpancrazi@azleg.gov

 

Kyrsten Sinema

602-926-5058

ksinema@azleg.gov

 

Theresa Ulmer

602-926-3002

tulmer@azleg.gov

 

Jerry Weiers -Chair

602-926-5894

jpweiers@azleg.gov

 

 

 

 

To contact your state legislators go to http://azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp?Body=H

[coues7]

SCREW THAT BILL! We just had a huge discussion about this on here. I'm emailing all the legislature telling them to shoot that $$$$ hungry bill down!!!!!!