WE NEED TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE BELOW ISSUES NOW!
May 10, 2012 From: Michigan Motorized Recreation Council
On Thursday, May 9th, State Representative Matt Huuki (R) of District 110
introduced the above four bills in the House that will have many positive affects on the sport of ORVing for decades to come. These bills touch on safety, enforcement, funding, liability and economic generation along with considerable language corrections and updates.
Some may consider these bills as simple "maintenance" bills for a fast growing sport; others will
comment they are some positive forward thinking proposals. Let us summarize just what is in the bills in brief;
HB 5612:
Proposes that a county, township or municipality shall not charge a fee for ORV operation on it's roadways under PA 240.
Proposes that a County Commission may open "M" roads to serve as connectors between ORV area's, Routes or Trails designated by the DNR. Also to provide access to Tourist Attractions, Food service establishments, Fuel, or other services within a reasonable distance from an approved ORV Route or Trail.
Proposes that an operating headlight and taillight are not required from sunrise to sunset in an organized event.
HB 5613:
Proposes that the Department (DNR) waive the event fee for those events with less than 75 ORV's participating. Any group with more than 20 shall notify the Department as to prevent conflicts in the area being used.
HB 5614:
Proposes that 10% of the annual generation of monies of the Recreational Improvement Fund ( RIF ) be directly deposited in the DNR Off-Road vehicle account.
Taken directly from snowmobile statue, a proposal allowing a County Sheriff to hire an ORV officer with basic certification.
A proposal to insert an AG opinion defining "Other Route".
HB 5615:
Proposal taken from snowmobile statue providing some liability protection for grant sponsors.
Proposal establishing a minimum fine of $50. for not wearing a helmet while operating an ORV. Maximum remains at $500.
You can view the bills in their entirety as follows:
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2012-HB-5612
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2012-HB-5613
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2012-HB-5614
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2012-HB-5615
E-mail support letters are very vital in the passage of most legislation.
The following is a sample of what you may use in e-mailing all 11 members of the
House Committee of Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation.
Dear Representative___________________
After reading or having HB 5612, HB 5613, 5614 and HB 5615 explained to me, I fully support their content and strongly urge you to vote in favor of the bills. Thank you.
Sincerely;
Your Name,
2345 Yourstreet,
Yourtown, Michigan
Rep. Frank Foster, (R) D-107, Chair, Pellston, frankfoster@house.mi.gov
Rep. Matt Huuki, (R) D-110, Vice-Chair, Atlantic Mine, matthuuki@house.mi.gov
Rep. Wayne Schmidt, (R) D-104, Traverse City, wayneschmidt@house.mi.gov
Rep. Kurt Damrow, (R) D-84, Port Austin, kurtdamrow@house.mi.gov
Rep. Holly Hughes, (R) D-91, Montague, hollyhuges@house.mi.gov
Rep. Joel Johnson, (R) D-97, Clare, joeljohnson@house.mi.gov
Rep. Pete Pettalia, (R) D-106, Presque Isle, petepettalia@house.mi.gov
Rep. Harold Haugh, (D) D-42, M-VC Roseville, haroldhaugh@house.mi.gov
Rep. Tim Bledsoe, (D), D-1, Grosse Pointe, timebledsoe@house.mi.gov
Rep. Maureen Stapleton, (D), D-4, maureenstapleton@house.mi.gov
Rep. Diane Slavens, (D), D-21 Canton Township, dianeslavens@house.mi.gov
Time is of the essence, the end of this session of legislature is closer than we would
like and it's vital that we all take action immediately.
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