Legislation by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) to save off-highway vehicle (OHV) competitions in California was unanimously approved by the Assembly Transportation Committee.
“I sincerely appreciate the bi-partisan support from Democrats and Republicans on the Assembly Transportation Committee for this important measure,” stated Senator Brian W. Jones. “SB 894 is a consensus measure worked on tirelessly by many stakeholders over the last three years. I look forward to this legislation continuing to progress through the Legislature.”
Senate Bill 894 would create a new registration program for off-highway vehicle competition vehicles that is narrowly tailored for legitimate competitors only.
Competition OHVs have long been regulated through the Red Sticker program under the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This program has allowed competition OHVs to operate in the state for the past two decades. However, the Red Sticker program ended last year with no program planned to replace it.
Without a new program, OHV competitions on public lands have been thrown into confusion with reports of some competitors still getting Red Stickers and permission to compete while others have not. This uncertainty negatively impacts local businesses, jobs, and the economy of many rural and suburban regions that have long hosted competitions. Additionally, funding for environmental work and law enforcement has also been lost.
Senators Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), and Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) are all coauthors of SB 894. It is cosponsored by the Coalition for Public Access and the California Motorcycle Dealers Association, and is supported by the American Motorcyclist Association, California Wilderness Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, Motorcycle Industry Council, Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition, Sacramento Pacific International Trails Society, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, Tuleyome, and Yuba County. It now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.