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Pennsylvania
State Snowmobile Association
Fred Brown - Government
Relations: |
PSSA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
MARCH 16, 2002
The following bills have been introduced and have
trail implications for snowmobiling.
House Bill 46
An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for stopping at posted cattle crossings and
for lighted requirements for motorcycles; further providing for periods for
requiring lighted lamps; providing for inspection of waste transportation
vehicles or waste trailers; and further providing for refunds. On Monday
March 11th, Representative Rod Wilt offered the sponsored PSSA gas tax
amendment to this legislation. His amendment was adopted by a vote of 196 to 2.
The bill was passed finally by the House and will be referred to the Senate
Transportation Committee. (A description of the amendment can be found under HB
2016.)
House Bill 944 An Act amending Title 75
(Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, exempting ex-prisoners of
war from paying any fees for titling or registration of vehicles; and further
providing for scope and application of Chapter 49 and for refunds. On
March 12th, Representative Rod Wilt again offered the gas tax amendment
sponsored by PSSA. Again, he prevailed by a vote of 178-18. The bill was
passed finally by the House and will be referred to the Senate Transportation
Committee.
House Bill 2016 this legislation amended by
Representative Rod Wilt would annually allocate $1 million to a non-lapsing
interest bearing fund within the Department of Treasury to address motorized
recreational trail issues. DCNR Secretary John Oliver, in accordance with
the recommendations made by this the Snowmobile / ATV Advisory Committee would
invest the money on trails used solely by motorized recreational vehicles in
state parks and forests. These funds would be used for the acquisition,
creation, and maintenance of recreational trails used solely by motorized
vehicles.
House Bill 2161 introduced by
Representative Mike Hanna would require DCNR to annually generate 100
additional miles of trails for ATV use. In addition, the bill provides
$50,000 for the Department to accomplish the provisions of this act.
House Bill 2181 this proposal has been
introduced by Representative Mark McNaughton in response to the complaints and
concerns expressed by mountain bikers and other trail users in his Legislative
District. Under the provisions of the legislation the Game
Commission secondary recreational use regulations would be subject to the
Independent Regulatory Review process. Practically speaking most departments,
bureau's, boards, agencies and commissions proposed regulations are subject to
the regulatory review process.
House Bill 2243 introduced by
Representative Scott Hutchinson would make amendments to the recently passed
Act 68 of the year 2001. Under the Hutchinson proposal, he would
eliminate any reference to the process of "limited registrations".
You'll recall that "limited registration" refers to this snowmobiles
and ATV required to receive and display a registration number issued by the
Department for snowmobiles and ATV¹s ridden solely on the individual's own
property. preliminary
House Bill 2255 introduced Representative
Bud George would amend Title 75 Chapter 77 to provide a program that would
attempt to expand ATV riding opportunities in the Commonwealth. This
legislation would require the partnering of the Department of Environmental
Protection, as well as, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
These departments would be required to assess the more than 250,000 acres of
abandoned mine lands and designated one annually suitable for remediation and
ATV riding use. It is proposed that most of the reserves of the restricted fund
created under Chapter 77 would be used for this purpose in addition to funds
provided throughout the Department of Environmental Protection for remediation.
If you have any questions please
feel free to contact Lowell Morton, Don Clouser, or me, Fred Brown. I can
be reached at 717.234.8814, or fred-brown@home.com