Still being worked on:  

    SB 448 - UTV Bill Passes House and Senate! -

    Some good news to share. The state assembly voted and passed our UTV extended/expanded on 3/4/2010!!
    All that’s left is for the governor to sign it, as we know that takes some time but I’m absolutely sure we’re set
    now for the upcoming summer riding season. 

    That said, there are still some important implementation details that need to be discussed, worked out and gone
    over with the various land managers before the riding season gets here. Yes, still lots of work to be done but the
    first and primary hurdle is over. 

    For now though I just wanted to relay the news to all. I wanted to also thank our great partnership work on this
    bill with the fine folks at WCFA, our DNR program administrators and the state lawmakers that worked really
    hard with us to make this happen this quickly!! Good job by all. 

    This bill establishes a pilot program for the operation of utility terrain vehicles(UTVs) that is similar to a pilot program for the operation of lightweight utilityvehicles (LUVs) under prior law that expired on September 30, 2009. The billrequires that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administer the UTV pilotprogram in consultation with the Department of Transportation to investigate theeffects of using UTVs on all−terrain vehicle routes and trails.Under the bill, a UTV is defined as a motor driven device, other than a golf cartor low−speed vehicle, that is designed to be used primarily off of a highway and thathas, and was originally manufactured with, certain features, including a grossweight of more than 900 pounds but not more than 1,999 pounds, a cargo or dumpbox, four or more low−pressure tires, non−straddling seats for at least two occupants,and certain safety systems.As with the LUV program under prior law, which allowed counties andmunicipalities to designate all−terrain vehicle (ATV) routes and trails that may beused by LUVs, the UTV pilot program allows counties and municipalities to makesuch a designation, except that unlike the LUV pilot program, which was limited toeight specified counties and the municipalities within those counties, the UTV pilotprogram is open to any county and the municipalities within those counties. The program also allows DNR and any federal agency that receives state funds for ATVprojects to designate ATV routes and trails that may be used by UTVs. The UTV pilotprogram provides that if a county adopts a resolution electing to participate in thepilot program, then the resolution applies to all of the municipalities within thecounty unless a municipality adopts a resolution to opt out of the program.Unlike the LUV pilot program, the UTV pilot program prohibits a person fromoperating a UTV on a designated ATV route or trail unless the UTV is registered byDNR. The bill authorizes DNR to register and charge registration fees for UTVs inthe same manner as it registers and charges registration fees for ATVs that areregistered for public use under current law. The bill provides that certain laws thatapply to ATVs under current law apply to UTVs under the pilot program, includingtraffic citation laws, rules of operation, prohibitions on operation while intoxicated,noise limits, and certain equipment requirements. Unlike the LUV pilot programunder prior law, the bill does not require a person who operates a UTV under the UTVpilot program to have a motor vehicle operator’s license but instead prohibits aperson who is younger than 16 from operating a UTV. The bill also requires a personwho is born on or after January 1, 1988, and who operates a UTV to hold a validall−terrain vehicle safety certificate.The bill provides that the UTV pilot program does not apply after June 30, 2012.For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will beprinted as an appendix to this bill.

    Polaris Awarded $2.4 Million Military Contract

    Polaris Defense was awarded a 2.4 million dollar contract by the National Guard Bureau for its Ranger 800 Crew side by side.

    Yamaha OHV Access Initiative top $1 Million in Grants

    Yamaha Motor Company announces that through its OHV Access Initiative, the company has provided more than $1 million in critical funding into OHV projects across the country.

     

    Minnesota Has New Fee For Out-Of-State ATVS

    ST. Paul, Minnesota – People from outside Minnesota will pay a new fee to take their all-terrain vehicles on state trails under a new law that takes effect January 2010.  The nonresident ATV pass will cost $20 for a year, plus a possible $1 issuing fee.

     

    ATV Bill Passes, 3 others Pending

     

    Senate Bill 241 Passes Change Definition Of ATV

     

    The Governor signed SB241 on Monday, December 1st at the capitol. This bill changes the definition of an ATV by:

      1. ·       Removes the 12-inch rim restriction.
      2. ·       Increases low-pressure tire maximum from 6 up to 10 PSI.
      3. ·       Increases max width from 48 inches out to 50 (as manufactured or modified – 50” max for traditional straddle seat ATV only, does not apply to UTV!)
    1. ·       ATV snowplowing bill clarifying uses when/where/what conditions allow use on certain roads.
    2. ·       Expanded / Extended UTV Pilot bill replacing the previous and now expired bill, the goal is to have this passed by the spring riding season in 2010!
    3. ·       Youth ATV bill clarifying restrictions with certain ages of youth on road routes, expanding and clarifying conditions of certain age youth on private property other than their immediate, etc. (still in formative draft stages).

     

    ATV Snowplowing Bill Making Headway

     

    The senate bill is SB 400, sponsored by Senator Holperin. The assembly bill is AB 603, sponsored by Representative Jorgenson. The brief description is:

    Under current law, (ATVS) may be operated on the roadways of highways and areas adjacent to roadways only in limited circumstances. These include roadways and sidewalks that have been designated as ATV routes or trails or roadways that are not seasonally maintained for motor vehicle traffic. Also the operation of ATVs on roadways is permissible in order to cross from one side of a roadway to another or to cross a bridge or culvert and is permissible on a sidewalk that is designated as an ATV route.

    Under this bill, an ATV with a snowplow or similar device may be operated on a roadway, or on a public sidewalk from October 1st through April 30th for the purpose of traveling to a site to remove snow regardless of whether the area to be traveled is an ATV route or trail if the ATV has certain lighting equipment and if operation on the roadway or the sidewalk is necessary to travel to or from a site where the snow removal device will be used. The travel necessary to or from the site may not exceed two miles. The bill also imposes specific speed limits on operation of an ATV with a snow removal device depending on its proximity to a dwelling and whether it is being operated on a roadway or an area adjacent to the roadway as opposed to a sidewalk.

     

     

     

    Time To Call And E-mail State Legislators About The Utv Program

    To: WATVA ATV & UTV Advocates

    Now is the time for action. We need you to call or e-mail your state senator and your state representative. Ask them to vote in favor of the UTV bill (SB 448) when it gets to the full floor.

    For your reference see: SB 448 - Expanded and extended UTV legislation http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB448hst.html

    The Senate Committee (chaired by Senator Holperin) on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry & Natural Resources held a public hearing on our UTV bill (and snowplowing bill) this past Wednesday, January 20th in Madison. Rob McConnell and I testified in favor of, along with quite a few other WATVA members from the Tri-County Club.

    I am pleased to report there were no opponents at this public hearing for the UTV bill. That's a good sign! The next step in the legislative process is for the same senate committee to hold what is called an "executive session". A majority vote of those committee members will send the bill to the full senate floor for a vote by all state senators.

    More good news to share.....that "session" has already been scheduled for Thursday, February 4th. There is no more public input during an executive session, the senate committee member's simply vote as to whether the public comment period swayed them to be opposed or to support the bill. A majority vote sends it to the senate floor while a negative vote kills the bill!

    I feel very confident SB 448 will make it out of the executive session and onto the full senate floor. That's why we need to make some noise now and let all of our lawmakers know we want their vote!

    On the Assembly side, the same bill is being sponsored by Representative Mary Hubler. She is working to get the bill heard in the appropriate Assembly committee and if successful there, onto the full Assembly floor. We might as well be telling our state representatives we're out there and we want their support as well.

    If you favor the UTV bill, this is the time to contact your senator and representative so they know your position. Do this through your e-mails and/or calls. Ask your state lawmakers to support the bill.

    If they happen to be on the committee so much the better but let's get the word around that our lawmakers know we have grassroots support for SB 448.

    If you don't know who or how to contact your state senator and representatives, not to worry, it's really easy!

    To find their e-mail address and / or phone number, simply go to the link below, fill in your home address and you will instantly have your answer.

    http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

    It's OK to speak to their staff, whoever answers their phone if you call. Just tell them you support the UTV bill (SB 448). To recap, it is scheduled for an executive vote out of Senator Holperin's committee on February 4th while being sponsored by Representative Mary Hubler on the Assembly side.

    We just need the e-mails and calls to start coming into their offices so our state lawmakers (senators & representatives) know we support this legislation and we are asking for their vote(s).

    Thank you in advance, your e-mails and calls really do make a difference!!!

    As a side note, the ATV snowplowing bill (SB 400) ran into some opposition from the state patrol so the WATVA office is working with Senator Holperin's office to make an amendment that might satisfy the state patrol's concerns. That bill is also scheduled in the same executive session so hopefully we can come to a compromise on a minimum age of driver (maybe age 16 when driven on the road for snowplowing purposes and possibly a shorter maximum distance less than 2 miles?).

    Randy Harden
    WATVA / NOHVIS
    President
    3321 Behrens Parkway
    Sheboygan, WI 53081
    Direct Line 920-694-1881

    SB241 ATV Definition Change Signed Into Law -

    SB 241 ATV Definition Change –

    1. Removes 12 inch rim restriction (rim size restriction is eliminated)
    2. Increases low pressure maximum from 6 up to 10 PSI
    3. Increases max width from 48 inches out to 50 (as manufactured or modified – 50” max for traditional straddle seat ATV only, does NOT apply to UTV!)

    This bill will formally be announced to the public via notification in the Wisconsin State Journal, after which the law will finally be official per the date stated therein!

    Our thanks to all that helped us accomplish passage of this legislation.

    Other bills pending and being worked on include:





    12/01/09 - Governor Jim Doyle signing SB 241 into law.

    In picture - Governor Jim Doyle seated
    L to R – Hank Wozniel (WATVA & NOHVIS), Representative Ann Hraychuck (bill co-sponsor), Randy Harden (WATVA & NOHVIS), Rob McConnell (WATVA & NOHVIS), Mike Brozek (Midwest Strategy Group), Senator Jim Holperin (bill sponsor), Senator Lena Taylor (bill co-sponsor).