The below is cut & pasted from a bulletin the AMA just put out. If you don't know the California OHV program is funded by "red sticker" or "green sticker" (off-road vehicles, motorcycles, etc...), and entrance fees to off-road parks. It pays for places like Holister and Carnegie (off-road parks), and other things. The OHV program is completely self-funded by these fees. SB 249 proposes to take that funding and put it in the General Fund- and NOT reserved for off-road related activities.
This affects Californians and anyone who visits California for off-road recreation (overlanding).
The link at the very bottom makes it EASY to send a message to the California legislature to APPOSE SB 249.
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California OHV Program Under Threat!
Vote no on SB 249!
The California OHV program is still facing a major threat from Senate Bill 249. This critical program, long seen as a model nationwide, is slated for renewal due to a sunset provision that was included in the previous program authorization.
Despite good faith negotiations with the proponents of this bill the discussions have remained focused on defending the language in SB 249 as though it is the existing law. While the proponents have made some minor concessions the bill remains so extreme that middle ground continues to undermine the discussions.
As written, SB 249 overlooks the important role the OHV program plays within state parks while serving all Californians. The program not only provides quality, sustainable, family oriented recreation for citizens and visitors alike, but also emphasizes environmental sustainability and protection, as well as public safety and partnerships with federal government agencies that provide OHV opportunities.
If adopted in its current form SB 249 would begin to dismantle decades of work and indeed mark the end of this nationally recognized and celebrated program.
AMA members and indeed all OHV recreationists must immediately contact their elected officials and remind them of the benefits the program provides to every citizen and visitor to California. It is important to remind them that the program uses no general fund monies and is in fact based on a user-pay, user-benefit style model. Monies used to pay for the program include those taxes collected on fuel, State Vehicle Recreation Areas (SVRAs) entrance fees and vehicle registrations (green and red stickers).
The public simply deserves better, and it is incumbent on the Legislature to deliver on the promises made during previous re-authorizations, that this and similar "user pay, user benefit" programs remain untouched. One idea that has been discussed among OHV groups is to simply extend the exisitng program sunset by a year while a formal stakeholder process is created.
The OHV community has long paid their own way and will continue to do so as long as these monies are used for their intended purpose.
Begin by entering your information in the fields below and clicking on the red "Submit" button.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that you and your riding friends become members of the AMA to help protect our riding freedoms. More members mean more clout against the opponents of motorcycling. That support will help fight for your rights - on the road, trail and racetrack and in the halls of government.
http://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/app/take-action?engagementId=307053&ep=AAAAC2Flc0NpcGhlcjAxLDid8u68Oetv0oIE-ShP4sxBABj7hKv46A8FYrCfDSENBr4dcdu_VPFthoV_DyeFAzq94WI3egJq9uRkDeDnjMNvlgiVCX54S5KZXyriXwM&lp=0
This affects Californians and anyone who visits California for off-road recreation (overlanding).
The link at the very bottom makes it EASY to send a message to the California legislature to APPOSE SB 249.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
California OHV Program Under Threat!
Vote no on SB 249!
The California OHV program is still facing a major threat from Senate Bill 249. This critical program, long seen as a model nationwide, is slated for renewal due to a sunset provision that was included in the previous program authorization.
Despite good faith negotiations with the proponents of this bill the discussions have remained focused on defending the language in SB 249 as though it is the existing law. While the proponents have made some minor concessions the bill remains so extreme that middle ground continues to undermine the discussions.
As written, SB 249 overlooks the important role the OHV program plays within state parks while serving all Californians. The program not only provides quality, sustainable, family oriented recreation for citizens and visitors alike, but also emphasizes environmental sustainability and protection, as well as public safety and partnerships with federal government agencies that provide OHV opportunities.
If adopted in its current form SB 249 would begin to dismantle decades of work and indeed mark the end of this nationally recognized and celebrated program.
AMA members and indeed all OHV recreationists must immediately contact their elected officials and remind them of the benefits the program provides to every citizen and visitor to California. It is important to remind them that the program uses no general fund monies and is in fact based on a user-pay, user-benefit style model. Monies used to pay for the program include those taxes collected on fuel, State Vehicle Recreation Areas (SVRAs) entrance fees and vehicle registrations (green and red stickers).
The public simply deserves better, and it is incumbent on the Legislature to deliver on the promises made during previous re-authorizations, that this and similar "user pay, user benefit" programs remain untouched. One idea that has been discussed among OHV groups is to simply extend the exisitng program sunset by a year while a formal stakeholder process is created.
The OHV community has long paid their own way and will continue to do so as long as these monies are used for their intended purpose.
Begin by entering your information in the fields below and clicking on the red "Submit" button.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that you and your riding friends become members of the AMA to help protect our riding freedoms. More members mean more clout against the opponents of motorcycling. That support will help fight for your rights - on the road, trail and racetrack and in the halls of government.
http://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/app/take-action?engagementId=307053&ep=AAAAC2Flc0NpcGhlcjAxLDid8u68Oetv0oIE-ShP4sxBABj7hKv46A8FYrCfDSENBr4dcdu_VPFthoV_DyeFAzq94WI3egJq9uRkDeDnjMNvlgiVCX54S5KZXyriXwM&lp=0
