Summary of Senate Bill S 8399 – ATV Recreation Fund and Use of ATVs
Overview
- Bill Number: S 8399
- Title: Relates to the creation of an ATV recreation fund and the use of ATVs
- Status: REFERRED TO RULES
- Introduced: June 9, 2025
- Primary Sponsor: Pete Harckham
- Related Bills (prior sessions): S 6791, S 3920; A 8908, A 1587, A 1203, A 2498
Note: The available information does not include the bill’s full text. The summary below reflects the stated purpose and the procedural status, with an outline of potential provisions to monitor once the bill text is released.
Purpose and Intent
- The bill aims to create a dedicated ATV Recreation Fund and regulate or govern the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) within the state's legislative framework.
- The objective is likely to support ATV-related recreation activities, infrastructure, programs, or safety efforts, though specific goals are not detailed in the information provided.
Key Provisions (as to be expected; not yet specified in the provided text)
Because the full bill text is not included, the exact provisions are not listed here. Based on the title and typical legislative practice, readers should look for:
- Establishment of a new ATV Recreation Fund (source of funding, such as state allocations, fees, penalties, or transfers).
- Authorized uses of the fund (trail construction and maintenance, facility improvements, safety training or education, grants to municipalities or organizations, program administration).
- Governance and administration (which state department or agency would manage the fund, oversight mechanisms, and governing rules).
- Eligibility criteria for grants or fund distribution.
- Reporting, audits, and accountability requirements (annual reports, performance metrics).
- Restrictions or prohibitions on use of funds and any matching requirements.
- Provisions addressing safety, environmental safeguards, or land-use considerations.
Readers should review the bill text for precise language, definitions (e.g., what constitutes an ATV, eligible recipients), and any fiscal notes.
Potential Impact
- Beneficiaries: ATV enthusiasts, recreational users, local governments, and organizations involved in trail building, maintenance, and safety education.
- Fiscal impact: Creation of a new fund implies future allocations or funding mechanisms; specifics depend on the fund’s financing structure and appropriations.
- Regulatory impact: Establishment of rules governing ATV use and funded programs could influence where, how, and by whom ATVs may be used or subsidized for recreation.
- Oversight and transparency: Depending on the bill’s provisions, there could be reporting requirements and independent audits to ensure proper use of funds.
Procedural History and Next Steps
- Current status: Referred to Rules (as of June 9, 2025).
- Next steps: If advanced, the bill would typically move from Rules to a committee for consideration, potential amendments, committee votes, and then floor action. Public hearings and fiscal analysis may accompany these steps.
- Timeline: No further dates are provided; track for committee hearings, amendments, and vote outcomes.
Sponsor and Related Legislation
- Sponsor: Pete Harckham (primary)
- Related bills from prior sessions may indicate ongoing interest in ATV recreation funding or related policy changes (S 6791, S 3920, A 8908, A 1587, A 1203, A 2498).
How to Track and Learn More
- Obtain the full bill text and fiscal notes from the official legislative website or repository.
- Monitor committee agendas and hearing schedules for the Rules Committee and any subsequent committees.
- Review analyses from fiscal offices and advocacy groups for potential impacts and implementation considerations.
This summary provides a high-level view based on the available details. For a complete understanding, the full statutory text and fiscal impact analysis will be essential once released.
