Motorcycling Laws

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that a pro off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation bill, H.R. 689, is headed to President Obama's desk after unanimously passing the U.S. House on July 13. The U.S. Senate passed identical legislation, S. 1328, on May 7.

H.R. 689 would put the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area in Northern California under the sole control of the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and would reduce the unnecessary bureaucracy for OHV enthusiasts recreating responsibly on affected public land.

The President is expected to sign the bill.

"Because the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area is currently under the dual supervision of the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, OHV riders must go through a complicated process to legally ride on the land," said AMA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "Public land is just that: public. Responsible riders should not have to endure an onerous process to experience what is rightfully theirs to enjoy."

In a speech on the House floor Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.) said that the legislation will fix problems that have been lingering for a long time.

"For years, many of my constituents have raised their concerns over difficulties in dealing with two federal agencies to use one OHV area," Herger said. "Issues such as duplicative permits -- at substantial and unnecessary cost to the users -- and even different opening dates for the same area have resulted in frustration from the thousands of users, from across California and elsewhere, who try to cope with this redundant management."

The AMA is encouraging all motorcyclists to write or call their U.S. senators and representatives and thank them for supporting S. 1328 and H.R. 689. Contact information can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.