Alert!  For all Wisconsin OHV Enthusiasts!

The Wisconsin Governor's State Trails Council (STC) is responsible for providing counsel in administering Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds here in Wisconsin.  These RTP funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreation fuel use in each State.  The STC advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on matters related to the management of trails in Wisconsin.  Over the past few decades, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV's) here in the Badger State.  AB 600 will increase the number of representatives on the council to eleven and specify that at least four members of the council represent users of motorized vehicles.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the State Trails Council (council) advises the Deaprtment of Natural Resources regarding the planning, acquisition, development and management of state trails.  The council consists of nine members, appointed by the governor for four-year terms, who are knowledgeable in various recreational uses of trails.

This bill expands the membership of the council from nine to eleven members.  The bill also requires that the council include one member who represents snowmobile users, one member who representa all terrain vehicle users, one member who represents users of motor vehicles that have four wheels and that are manufactured principally for off-highway use and one member who represents users of off-highway motorcycles that are manufactured principally for off-highway use.

AB 600 was introduced by Representatives Mursau, Montgomery, Kleefisch, LeMahieu and Townsend on November 29th, 2007.  The Bill is being co-sponsored by Senators, Breske, Grothman and Lazich.  It was read for the first time and then referred to the Committee on Rural Economic Development.

WOHVA was involved in the drafting of this legislation and fully supports it!  Please contact your elected state officials and ask them to support this important legislation!!!  If you don't know who your Wisconsin State Senator or Assembly Representative is, you can find that information and how to contact their office at:  http://waml.legis.state.wi.us/

Again, please take a moment to contact your elected representatives and urge them to support AB 600!