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Hinkle's ATV-ORV bill
unanimously passes House
Rep.
Bill Hinkle's bill that could open up non-highway roads to
all-terrain and off-road vehicles unanimously passed the House of
Representatives today. Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, has received support for the
measure from ATV and ORV riders, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department
of Natural Resources and other stakeholders.
“We’re one step closer to opening up these roads and better managing the
use of these vehicles in and around our forest lands,” said Hinkle.
“There’s wide spread support for this measure, and I am hopeful it will
make it though the Senate and onto the governor’s desk for signature
into law.”
Substitute House Bill 2356 would give local, state and federal
jurisdictions the flexibility to allow ATVs and ORVs on roads not
originally built or reconstructed with motor vehicle fund monies – also
known as “non-highway” roads. It would allow the opening of many Forest
Service roads and those owned and operated by state agencies – primarily
the departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife. There would
be no mandate for land owners or agencies managing public lands to open
any roads. Those agencies would decide whether doing so coordinates with
their land management plans and which roads, if any, to open.
SHB 2356 exempts ORVs and ATVs, when operating on these non-highway
roads, from the vehicle licensing, equipment and lighting requirements
they must follow when operating on highways. It also requires riders to
wear a helmet and restricts kids under 16 from operating a vehicle
without an adult.
“Right now there are conflicts between ORV users, hikers, horse riders
and other people using these roads,” said Hinkle. “This bill would help
us manage those user conflicts. It would also bring Washington into
compliance with surrounding states.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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