SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5858

                    As of February 18, 1999

Title:  An act relating to off‑road vehicle areas.

Brief Description:  Revising definitions relating to off‑road vehicle areas.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Haugen, Fraser, Gardner and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  2/25/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Staff:  David Johnson (786-7754)

Background:  A portion of the motor vehicle fuel tax revenue is allotted for off-road and nonhighway road facilities.  Some of this money is spent for the planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, and management of these facilities.

Concern exists that the increasing motorized use of primitive areas is disruptive to the environment.

Summary of Bill:  The money available for off-road vehicle recreation facilities may not be spent in areas that are governmentally inventoried roadless areas.

The money available for nonhighway road recreational facilities may also be expended on trails designated for nonmotorized use.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1999.