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STAY UP TO DATE WITH LEGISLATIVE ISSUES EFFECTING OUR SPORT
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NHOHVA Legislative Alert | |
Senate Bill 366
NHOHVA would like to announce two sessions of the New Hampshire House for the discussion of Senate Bill 366 at the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street, Concord, NH.
The first session will be a Division I Work Session on May 8, 2012 in Room 212 at 11:45AM. The second session will be an Executive Session on May 10 at 9:00AM in Rooms 220-211.
Please join NHOHVA on May 8 and May 10 in Concord. Help us show the New Hampshire legislature that the enthusiasts of our sport care about promoting our sport in positive light to the public and the powers that be.
SB366 was originally introduced to allow a properly registered OHRV to replace the wheels with tracks, cleats or skis (or a combination thereof), that also fits the definition of a snowmobile and pay an additional registration fee of $16.00 to operate as a snowmobile. NHOHVA thinks this is a great idea and we fully support this bill as it was originally introduced.
Then a Senate Amendment was made to allow Maine and Vermont riders to ride New Hampshire trails without a New Hampshire OHRV registration requirement. NHOHVA does not support this amendment and we testified to that fact before the Transportation committee in March of 2012. Then in April of 2012 NHOHVA attended an Executive Session where it was determined that this bill be put on hold for further discussion in May. Now May is here and this bill is on the docket for further discussion and NHOHVA will be there. Please join NHOHVA and send a message to the New Hampshire legislature that voters in this state care about OHV issues! Show New Hampshire that we care about our sport with NHOHVA! |
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On the NHOHVA Docket | |
 NHOHVA is fighting for your right to ride! NHOHVA is keeping a vigilant eye out for any potential threats to our sport here in New Hampshire and around the country. Our work is never done and we will never rest! These are some of the issues NHOHVA is currently working on and where we stand with each issue.
Remember NHOHVA is here working for you and your right to enjoy our sport. Here is the procedural posture of a few of the items on our docket:
- SB0366-FN - relative to use of certain OHRV's on snowmobile trails and relative to authorization for snowmobiles and OHRVs registered in Vermont and Maine to operate in this state
- NHOHVA supports this bill as originally proposed but we do not support the recent amendments made to allow ME and VT riders to ride NH trails without registration in NH without a reciprocal agreement from those states.
- This bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee on February 22, 2012.
- A House Transportation Committee session was held on March 27, 2012 in Concord, NH. NHOHVA was there and testified before the New Hampshire legislature at this meeting on behalf of all OHV users in the state.
- An Executive Session was held on April 11, 2012 where the Senate Amendments to this bill were discussed. NHOHVA was there for this Session where it was announced that this bill would be put on hold.
- On April 25, 2012 this bill was referred to the House Finance Committee.
- Two further sessions will be held discussing this bill on May 8 and May 10, 2012.
- HB1332 - relative to the law enforcement authority of fish and game officers
- As of February 22, 2012 the posture of this bill is that this bill ought to pass with a vote of 181 to 165
- HB1337 - relative to the enforcement of violations of fish and game laws and establishing a committee to study the disposition of wildlife confiscated by the fish and game department
- As of February 22, 2012, this bill has been deemed inexpedient to legislate and put on hold
- HB1442 - relative to motorcycle noise emissions regulation
- On March 7, 2012 this bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee
- A hearing was held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Legislative Office Building, Room 306-308 to discuss this bill. NHOHVA was there to show our presence and concern for all legislation that effects our sport either directly or indirectly.
- NH1540 - relative to conservation easements on public land
- As of February 15, 2012, this bill has been put on hold
- SB0237 - relative to field purchases and transfers of funds for the state park system and the bureau of trails, and the use of gifts and donations to the division of parks and recreation
- This bill was referred to resources, recreation and development on February 22, 2102 and a public hearing was held on March 12, 2012 at the Legislative Office Building, Room 303 in Concord.
- This bill will be discussed at an Executive Legislative Session on April 17, 2012 at the Legislative Office Building, Room 305 in Concord,
- SB0250 - relative to operation of trail bikes and ATV's on state lands
- This bill was discussed at the public hearing on March 27, 2012 at the Legislative Office Building in Concord. NHOHVA was present in full support of this bill.
- This bill was be discussed on Tuesday, May 1 during a full committee work session of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee. An executive Session followed.
- As of May 2, 2012 a Committee Report indicates this bill ought to pass for May 9, 2012.
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Interior Department Proposal Could Block Riding on Public Land |
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has recently submitted a report to Congress entitled, "Preliminary Report on BLM Lands Deserving Protection as National Conservation Areas, Wilderness or Other Conservation Designation." The report identifies 18 backcountry areas in nine states that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar highlighted recently as deserving protection by Congress as National Conservation Areas or Wilderness areas. Those states are California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Access to certain public land in these nine states could be lost to trail bike riders, ATVers, bicyclists and others under the massive land-use designation proposal submitted to Congress.
NHOHVA is analyzing the report, but initial indications are that the proposal identifies more areas that should be designated as Wilderness or National Conservation Areas than areas that promote responsible motorized recreation.
The DOI report may include Wilderness proposals that do not meet the strict criteria of a Wilderness designation under federal law. A Wilderness designation is one of the strictest forms of public land management. Once Congress designates an area as Wilderness, nearly all forms of non-pedestrian recreation are prohibited.
NHOHVA supports appropriate Wilderness designations that meet the criteria established by Congress in 1964 when the proper process is followed. However, NHOHVA is strongly opposed to misuse and abuse of the Wilderness designation prosess. Over the years, groups opposed to responsible off-highway vehicle recreation have been abusing the Wilderness designation process to ban trail bike riders, ATVers and bicyclists from public land, as well as to block access for the elderly, handicapped and children who rely on motorized transportation to enjoy public land.
Salazar indicated that he hopes this report is incorporated into an omnibus public lands bill similar to another public lands bill that passed Congress in 2009. The bill referenced by Salazar was the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. It was passed using rare parliamentary tactics that ultimately closed 2.1 million acres of public land.
This DOI report comes on the heel of another report related to public land access released a few months ago - its 50-State America's Great Outdoors report. According to a DOI release, "The full report - which contains two projects per state - comes as part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative to establish a community-based, 21st century agenda for conservation, recreation, and reconnecting Americans to the outdoors."
The actions taken by the administration and the current Congress could have a profound impact on the ability of responsible OHV riders. It's important that all responsible OHV riders stay informed about the Interior Department's proposals and Wilderness bills in Congress and take action, when necessary, to help protect their right to ride.
Stay tuned to the NHOHVA newsletter as we continue to inform readers of the latest news as this issue unfolds.
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Threats Still Exist
Opposition to our sport exists and it will not go away if we simply ignore it. Efforts are being taken to end all recreational and competitive OHRV use entirely. Please join NHOHVA and help us fight these efforts to end our sport. More members means more clout against our opponents, and your support will help NHOHVA fight for your rights - on the trail, at the track, and in the Capitol Building. |
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NHOHVA is Here Fighting for YOU! |  If you ride or register any OHV of any kind in NH, then NHOHVA is fighting for YOU. We represent the rights of all OHV users in this state and we are working to protect your right to ride! Please donate $10 today to help us keep up the fight! A portion of your $10 donation will go toward lobbying efforts to protect your rights with the NH state legislature. Visit our website and donate today!
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Upcoming Events |
May 8 - Legislative Office Building, Concord, NH
Room 305
Division I Work Session of the
Finance Committee to discuss Senate Bill 366
Join NHOHVA to send a message to the NH
Legislature that you care about promoting a
positive image of our sport
May 10 - Legislative Office Building, Concord, NH
Room 212 11:45AM
Executive Session of the Finance Committee
on Senate Bill 366
May 23 - NH Trails - Opening Day!
June 8, 9 & 10 - NH Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH
New England Classic Charity Trail ride
Join NHOHVA as we celebrate the 32nd annual
running of the New England Classic charity Trail
Ride Friday, June 8, 5:00 PM - check-in,
registration and tech inspection
*Street Legal machine required for participation
in the main Trail Ride*
July 13, 14 and 15 - Warren Old Home Days
Warren, NH
The Mount Moosilauke ATV Club hosts this
outrageously fun annual event
Join NHOHVA and join the celebration!
July 28 & 29 - Rocky Mountain Weekend
Alton, NH
More info to follow...
Looking for something to do? Find out more upcoming events and plan your summer with our interactive calendar on our website. Check it out today!
Stay tuned to the NHOHVA newsletter for a MAJOR legislative announcement coming soon from NHOHVA!
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Thank you for being a part of NHOHVA. Jason Woodward, Esq.
President of NHOHVA New Hampshire Off-Highway Vehicle Association Ride as if everyone is watching - Talk as if everyone is listening |
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Charity Trail Ride presented by the Merrimack Valley Trail Riders, sponsored by Suzuki and benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 
Speedway in Loudon, NH. 