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Hinkle bill to open up
non-highway roads to ORVs passes House
House Bill 1003 would
allow off-road vehicles (ORVs) to operate on non-highway roads when the
land owner says it’s OK.
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, sponsored the bill, which passed the
House of Representatives today.
“Getting together to use ATVs and ORVs is a favorite pastime for many
families and groups of friends,” Hinkle said. “Unfortunately, the places
these folks can ride are increasingly limited. My measure would open up
more room for them to roam – and do so with additional safety measures
in place.”
House Bill 1003 would clear up years of confusion over whether ORVs
could operate on non-highway roads. In 2003 the Forest Service gave the
OK to use ORVs on non-highway roads in the Pacific Northwest when the
state approves it. However, a 1972 Attorneys’ General opinion maintained
that Forest Service roads fell into the definition of “highway,” – and
ORVs are illegal on highways.
Hinkle’s bill would set
the record straight and 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 – to ORVs. 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.
In addition to clearing up road use, HB 1003 would exempt ORVs on
non-highway roads from the vehicle licensing, equipment and lighting
requirements that apply on highways. It also states that children under
13 could only operate an ORV on a non-highway road under the direct
supervision of an adult with a valid driver’s license.
“This bill would bring Washington more in line with what Idaho and
Oregon are doing,” Hinkle said. “It would also give riders an incentive
to stay on the designated roads rather than make their own trails, and
that will help our forests.”
House Bill 1003 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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