Conference committee debates whether to keep trails maintenance language in transportation bill

Conference committee members debating a disputed trails maintenance provision in the T (transportation) bill discussed three options — remove the section, keep it as written, or keep it with a delayed effective date — but took no final vote and instead agreed to pursue additional testimony or a different bill vehicle.

The question before the committee was whether to include language that would clarify how towns and municipalities may maintain multiuse trails in areas affected by an ongoing court case. A conference committee member said, "I am very concerned about us agreeing or disagreeing on it without more testimony." That member urged caution given the legal uncertainty.

Why it matters: Municipal officials and nonprofits that maintain trails warned committee members that a lack of legislative clarity could limit trail maintenance this spring and cause economic harm for communities that rely on outdoor recreation. One committee…