SB 249 Hearing Update with Video of Hearing - Must See OHV TV

OHV Supporters Line Up to Speak in in Favor of the Currrent OHV Program

and in Opposition to SB249

SB 249 Hearing Update (Video of Hearing) – Many OHVers have heard the term to describe the ugly process of legislation as “sausage-making.”  The following 45 min. video (thanks to our OHV lobby team for making this video available!) gives the general OHV community a good peek into the dark work of land-use politics.  Having been engaged in land use politics for the past 27 years at the state and federal level, this video (OHV starts at 50:20) starting with SB249 sponsor, Senator Ben Allen, illustrates the political spin of trying to cast the bill as a pro-OHV bill that simply wants to basically reauthorize the current OHV program by adding just a few simple amendments.

LINK to SB249 on my FB Page

https://www.facebook.com/cuttenkid

After Sen. Allen’s presentation you will find environmental representatives that make false declarative statements against the OHV program and by inference … Division staff.

At 1:03:23, you will listen to OHV lobbyist, Terry McHale, strongly defend the current OHV program and highlight SB249’s fatal flaws.  He highlights the fact that the program is a National Model and that SB249 was created in a vacuum without input from OHV.  Terry also points out that SB249 places unreasonable environmental standards on SVRAs (which may even extend to other “units” of the system which include FS/BLM/County riding areas). He is a good friend of OHV and one of our best advocates in Sacto. 

At 1:08:45, I highlight my concerns about the legal mine field laid by SB249 and the fiscal impacts it would have on the program… if the program continues at all in a SB 249-based program.  I also join Terry in making a commitment to work with Sen. Allen and the proponents in a bipartisan manner to address remaining issues and concerns.

At 1:11, a representative for rural farm workers stated his opposition to SB249 because of the potential impacts to the OHV grants program.

At 1:13, you will see various pro-OHV representatives from rural counties, OHV industry, OHV clubs, and others speak in opposition to SB249.  Am very proud of the OHV Coalition!

At 1:16, the vice chair (a rural legislator and OHVer) restates the fact the SB249 had no real stakeholder engagement and that the bill could impact OHV areas in his district and also impact motorized access to non-motorized recreation.  Other legislators weighed in as well.

Maybe the most important thing at the hearing happened at the end when Sen. Allen made a commitment to “work” in a more substantive manner with rural legislators and OHV representatives to resolve issues.   The bill did pass with an 8-5 vote, but that vote was based on future meetings with affected parties to resolve issues.  This battle is far from over.  Thanks for taking time to watch this video!

SB 249 Update - Death by a Thousand Lawsuits

 QUICK UPDATE ON SB 249 SENATE VOTE YESTERDAY – First, I want to thank all of you who took time – (on short notice) yesterday to contact your state senator.   Because of your efforts yesterday and past efforts on this subject, there was much stronger bi-partisan opposition to SB 249 than the bill’s author expected.  The final vote was Yes – 22, No – 15.  I believe the vote tally will help our fight in the assembly.

The OHV Coalition remains in strong opposition to SB 249.  I remain convinced that any SB 249-based OHV Program would actually kill the current program that has been acclaimed as a “National Model” for managed/sustainable OHV recreation.  It would open all OHV areas that receive grant funds (i.e. SVRAs, BLM, FS, County) to an endless parade of environmental lawsuits under the premise that the units are not in compliance with local and regional “conservation plans” from entities such as Resource Conservation Districts, East Bay Regional Parks, other agency and NGO conservation or resource plans.

SB 249 remains a kill-shot bill directed at all local, state, and federal OHV units.

The good news is that there are other hearings and as you know - this battle will now be fought in the assembly.

I expect the fight to continue through the end of August.  It’s going to be a long hot summer!

Thanks,

Don Amador

The Recreation HQ

PS - Death by a Thousand Lawsuits - Another takeaway from the hearing yesterday were the comments by Allen and/or another supporters about the numerous lawsuits against Carnegie SVRA with the subtle inference that “lawsuits” might be a good reason to severely restrict OHV use on a unit or maybe even close that unit (local, state or fed) to OHV and sell or transfer/transform it for non-motorized activities.