OHV Bill

[Outdoor Writer]

Off-highway vehicle legislation seeing historic support

 

PHOENIX — “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen legislation that enjoys the support of both the NRA and the Sierra Club at the same time,” said Representative Jerry Weiers (R-Glendale), the chairman of the Arizona House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee.

 

House Bill 2573, sponsored by Weiers, would provide resources to better manage Arizona’s growing off-highway vehicle (OHV) use while protecting wildlife habitat. It is believed that this is one of only a few times in Arizona history any bill has had such diverse support. From OHV user groups to sportsmen’s groups to environmental groups to the Game and Fish Department, the support of this legislation is unprecedented.

 

According to Todd Rathner with the NRA, “This bill would strike a necessary balance between preserving Arizona’s natural resources and the interests of the outdoor sporting community.”

 

OHVs have seen a 347 percent increase in usage in Arizona in the last few years, but law enforcement and trail development have lagged far behind. Through this legislation, dollars would be provided by a nominal user fee to create new law enforcement positions, new land and habitat mitigation for damaged use areas, and more trail construction.

 

More than 40 senators and representatives are named as sponsors of this bill. According to Rep. Weiers, that is the best sign that it’s possible this legislation will pass this session.

 

“The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is in full support of this legislation,” said Commission Chairman William McLean. “Irresponsible OHV use hurts wildlife, wildlife habitat, hunting, fishing and all of outdoor Arizona. We simply need to see this legislation passed.”

 

The bill recently passed through the House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee. It will move through the House Rules Committee and then be debated on the open floor of the House. Once that is completed, should the bill pass the House, it will then move on to the Senate. Should the Senate pass the legislation, it would go to the Governor to sign the bill into law.

 

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[Red Rabbit]

Legislative page:

http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2573

 

The bill itself:

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?in...lls/hb2573p.htm

[KGAINES]

How could we be assured that the legislature would not take the money and use it for the deficit instead of law enforcement, they are already trying to take the 2.8 million from the azgfd they were to receive from the johnson settlement, plus other funds which will jeopardize 15+ million in federal funds for the azgfd.

[hunterdude]

Johnson settlement what is that?

[KGAINES]

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/history_culture/72058.php

 

http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/inside_azgfd/min...g%20Minutes.pdf