Save the California OHV Program has been a high level topic for several months. Competing legislation has been introduced with State Senate and Assembly hearing held and more to come.

SB-249 was introduced. The legislation (as introduced) is very punitive towards OHV recreation and would basically destroy the program.

AB-1077 was introduced. This legislation seeks to renew the program, as is, making no substantial changes to a program that has functioned for more the 40 years. With the periodic re-authorizations required (last one SB-742 in 2007), the program is well managed and always within its budget.

A few of the more egregious points of SB-249 are:

The defined composition of the commission eliminates a key component that should be represented - local/county government.

There are numerous inconsistencies with the use of ÔÇ£deputy directorÔÇØ and ÔÇ£directorÔÇØ.

There is one instance where an action is to be provided direct to Natural Resources Agency vs aggregation through the ÔÇ£chain of commandÔÇØ; i.e., Division to State Parks to Natural Resources Agency.

There are fundamental changes proposed to the OHMVR (ÔÇ£Green StickerÔÇØ) Grants program which would curtail the program until new regulations are created; a 1-2 year elimination of grants to support OHV recreation.

The defined composition of the commission eliminates a key component that should be represented - local/county government.
There are numerous inconsistencies with the use of ÔÇ£deputy directorÔÇØ and ÔÇ£directorÔÇØ.

There is one instance where an action is to be provided direct to Natural Resources Agency vs aggregation through the ÔÇ£chain of commandÔÇØ; i.e., Division to State Parks to Natural Resources Agency.

There are fundamental changes proposed to the OHMVR (ÔÇ£Green StickerÔÇØ) Grants program which would curtail the program until new regulations are created; a 1-2 year elimination of grants to support OHV recreation.

While OHV interests have been participating in a "collaborative" process to resolve difference, it has come to a point where that same flawed verbiage is rearranged and submitted as "consensus" language. That is like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic while is is sinking...

Needless to say, OHV interests have called a halt to the charade... Read more about it here