Press Release | September 26, 2024
Competition-model off-highway motorcycles will have a new way to be legally operated on California public lands beginning in 2026.
Senate Minority Leader Jones riding at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.
This is a press release from the MIC…
(September 25, 2024) – Competition-model off-highway motorcycles will have a new way to be legally operated on California public lands beginning in 2026. Senate Bill 708, introduced by State Senator Brian W. Jones, a longtime motorcycle advocate and rider himself, became a new law this week. It directs the State Department of Parks and Recreation to issue permits to California residents to operate off-road motorcycles at sanctioned events.
“We’ve worked hard to perfect this program over the past five years with OHV stakeholders and affected governmental agencies, including State Parks and the Air Resources Board,” Senator Jones said. “SB 708 is a true consensus measure that will allow OHV competition riders to continue their sport safely and responsibly while being a strong part of the recreational economies in rural and suburban California.”
The new law states that “a sanctioned event permit shall only be available to California residents and for model year 2022 and newer off-road motorcycles that are not eligible for the Green Sticker or Red Sticker off-highway vehicle identification,” and that “sanctioned event means an event approved by an agency within its guidelines for off-highway vehicle competition or racing events.” Further, the “Department of Parks and Recreation shall set, and may adjust, the amount of the fee to recover the operating and administrative costs…and…shall deposit fees received pursuant to this section in the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund. A sanctioned event permit shall expire on December 31 of the year that the permit is issued.”
Click HEREfor the bill’s factsheet.
Last year, the MIC called on all powersports companies to add their names, on their letterhead, to letters in support of legislation to allow continued use of competition-model motorcycles on public lands in California.
Ten members of the MIC Board of Directors (all those meeting in person yesterday at the association headquarters) and MIC President and CEO Christy LaCurelle signed a letter to Senator Jones that stated, in part:
“Despite the Governor’s prior veto, you worked with our industry to devise a new solution to the problem and shepherded SB 708 through the legislature while educating your state colleagues about the value of off-highway motorcycle competition. We greatly appreciate your willingness to not give up and to be a champion of the motorcycle industry.”
Learn more details about Senator Jones and the bill at https://sr40.senate.ca.gov/content/governor-newsom-signs-leader-joness-highway-vehicle-legislation
Read the press release regarding the new permit program from the AMA HERE
