Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sb15 Ohv Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves bill raising OHV registration fees to fund trail grooming and helicopter rescues
Summary
First substitute SB15 authorizes modest registration increases for snowmobiles and ATVs and directs $1 per registration to the Highway Patrol Aero Bureau to support backcountry rescues; the House passed the measure 48–24 after debate on fairness and revenue.
First substitute Senate Bill 15, sponsored in the House by Representative Draxler, was presented as a user-fee compromise to fund snowmobile trail grooming and to help finance aging Utah Highway Patrol Aero Bureau helicopters used for backcountry rescues. Draxler said the snowmobile registration fee may be raised to $26 and the ATV/ off-highway vehicle registration to $18, with $1 from each registration directed to the Aero Bureau.
Representative Cox asked whether the change would be revenue-neutral and sought clarification on how the additional revenue would be used; Draxler responded that the increased fees would fund two programs—trail grooming and a helicopter fund—with roughly $445,000 additional revenue identified. Representative Watkins, citing constituent input from ATV clubs, said OHV groups were concerned about paying for rescues that often benefit nonpaying visitors. Representative Noelle and others explained negotiations with OHV organizations resulted in a $1 compromise and emphasized the groups’ contributions to trail maintenance and search-and-rescue efforts.
After summation, the House voted; first substitute SB15 passed with 48 yes votes and 24 no votes and will be returned to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: the bill will be enrolled and returned to the Senate for further action per the legislative process.
