Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones’ long standing efforts to protect off-road motorcycle competitions in California advanced last week with the unanimous, bipartisan approval of Senate Bill 708 in the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Jones’ bill establishes a permit for Californians to operate off-road motorcycles, or off-highway vehicles at sanctioned events, creating a permit program for competition motorcycles.
Currently, the California Air Resources Board oversees the registration of all OHVs except competition motorcycles. The board decided to end the Red Sticker registration program in 2021, with no plans to replace it.
This has caused confusion between land management agencies and law enforcement authorities. There is no identification decal or sticker to distinguish the difference between model year 2022 competition OHVs and newer, vs. model year 2021 and older OHVs.
“We’ve worked hard for the past five years with OHV stakeholders and affected governmental agencies, including State Parks and the Air Resources Board,” said Jones. “SB 708 is a true consensus measure that will allow OHV competition riders to continue their sport in a safe and responsible manner while being a strong part of the recreational economies in rural and suburban California.”
This is the fourth attempt at this bill from Senator Jones. The previous three attempts, from 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, were stalled. The most recent attempt in 2022 was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom due to its fiscal impact on the Department of Motor Vehicles. The newest attempt addresses concerns from the previous bills, including Newsom’s veto message.
SB 708 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration following its unanimous passage in policy committee. If passed there, it will go to the Assembly Floor for a full vote.
Source: Sen. Jones’ Bill to Protect Off-Road Motorcycle Competitions Advances in Legislature
