HF4995

Purpose

• The bill modifies how funds from various offhighway vehicle accounts are spent and organized. It clarifies allowed uses, aims to improve safety, conservation, trail development, enforcement, and public education, and aligns spending with a statewide outdoor recreation plan.

Main Provisions

• Offhighway motorcycle account (84.794, subd. 2)

  • Funds may be spent, subject to legislative appropriation, on:
  • administration, enforcement, and implementation of related safety/conservation sections (84.787 to 84.795)
  • acquisition, maintenance, and development of offhighway motorcycle trails and use areas
  • grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities to build and maintain OH motorcycle trails and use areas
  • grants for enforcement and public education to local law enforcement
  • grants to offhighway motorcycle organizations (under 84.9011, subd. 1)
  • Grants must be guided by the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan.

• Offroad vehicle account (84.803, subd. 2)

  • Funds may be spent, subject to appropriation, on:
  • administration, enforcement, and implementation of sections 84.773 to 84.8045
  • acquisition, maintenance, and development of offroad vehicle trails and use areas
  • grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities to construct and maintain offroad vehicle trails and use areas
  • grants-in-aid to local safety programs
  • enforcement and public education grants to local law enforcement
  • grants to offroad vehicle organizations (under 84.9011, subd. 2)

• Volunteer organizations and safety/conservation program (84.9011, subd. 2)

  • The commissioner may enter into agreements with offhighway vehicle organizations to provide volunteer services that promote safe and environmentally responsible OHV operation on state forest land and other public lands.
  • Organizations may assist in locating, recruiting, and training instructors for OHV training programs.
  • The commissioner may help improve safety and comfort for volunteers and participants and support program administration.
  • The commissioner must establish standards, and train and certify organizations and individuals volunteering under this section.
  • Training must include identifying invasive species, reporting their locations, and basic GPS operation.
  • Grants under this section may be distributed via a commissioner-determined formula, with payments sometimes based on hours worked.

• All-terrain vehicle account (84.927, subd. 2)

  • Funds, subject to appropriation, may be used for:
  • education and training programs (under 84.925)
  • administration, enforcement, and implementation of sections 84.773 to 84.928
  • acquisition, maintenance, and development of vehicle trails and use areas
  • grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities to construct and maintain allterrain vehicle trails and use areas
  • grants to local safety programs
  • enforcement and public education grants to local law enforcement
  • maintenance of minimum-maintenance forest roads designated under 89.71, and county forest roads within designated ATV trail systems on state forest lands
  • grants to allterrain vehicle organizations (under 84.9011, subd. 2)
  • Grants must be guided by the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan.

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates and/or consolidates funding authority across three specific OHV accounts (offhighway motorcycle account, offroad vehicle account, and allterrain vehicle account) with explicit allowable uses, including administration, enforcement, trail development, and grant programs.
• Formalizes a volunteer-driven safety and conservation program, with mandatory training standards (including invasive species awareness and GPS) and a certification process for volunteer organizations and individuals.
• Requires grant distributions to follow a statewide outdoor recreation plan, emphasizing environmental protection, safety, and responsible use.
• Expands or clarifies grants to counties, municipalities, local safety programs, and OHV organizations, linking funding to compliance with laws and to local education and enforcement needs.
• Elevates environmental awareness and reporting (invasive species) as part of training and volunteer activities.

Impact Considerations

• Increased emphasis on safety education, environmental stewardship, and tracking of invasive species.
• Greater role for local governments and volunteer organizations in OHV management and trail upkeep.
• Funding tied to a statewide outdoor recreation planning framework, potentially influencing project eligibility and prioritization.

Relevant terms - offhighway motorcycle account - offroad vehicle account - allterrain vehicle account - grants-in-aid - grants to counties and municipalities - administration - enforcement - public education - trails and use areas - state forest land - public lands - invasive species - GPS (global positioning system) - training programs - volunteers - volunteer organizations - 84.787 to 84.795 - 84.773 to 84.8045 - 84.925 - 84.9011, subd. 2 - statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan