Harrisburg – Legislation introduced by Senator Pat Stefano (R-32) to ensure that funds received through the registration, certification and enforcement of all-terrain vehicles in Pennsylvania are used specifically to support ATV activities received final legislative approval and is now set to be signed into law.
Senate Bill 648 will be Senator Stefano’s first bill signed into law. The measure was approved by the Senate in October and by the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The legislation will require that monies generated through ATV-related operations are placed in a restricted account to be used for purposes including the construction and maintenance of ATV trails and acquisition of equipment, supplies and interests in land.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) currently does not separate expenditures related to ATV and snowmobile operations. As a result, these funds are being disproportionately allocated between user groups.
Stefano noted that although ATV operations contribute $1.4 million of the $1.6 million in the current fund, 80 percent of the total funding is allocated to expansion of snowmobile trails.
“These funds are needed for training, education, construction and maintenance of ATV trails, and more,” Stefano said. “My legislation will provide more equitable distribution of funds, ensure that ATV activities are more fairly funded, and require a more detailed accounting of these dollars.”
Stefano noted that the legislation came about after a meeting with a constituent involved in an ATV club in Fayette County, “They were having trouble accessing grants available to them and expressed their frustration at the disproportionate funding that snowmobile trails received and the far greater amount of trails available for snowmobile activity. My legislation will help provide more opportunity for the development of ATV trails and the economic boost that will come from them.”
Owing to that economic boost, Stefano’s legislation would also change the composition of the Snowmobile and ATV Advisory Board by removing two current members and replacing them with a representative from DCED and from the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association.
CONTACT: Ben Wren (717) 787-7175