Jones’s measure to save off-highway vehicle competitions unanimously approved by the Senate

Legislation by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) to save off-highway vehicle (OHV) competitions in California was unanimously approved by the State Senate. 

“The Senate recognized that this important measure is not just for the OHV community, but also for environmental programs and local economies throughout California,” stated Senator Brian W. Jones.  “Many people have worked tirelessly over the last three years on this bipartisan compromise.  I am hopeful that the Assembly will join the Senate in approving SB 894.”

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 and practice riding 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 now goes to the Assembly for consideration.