up to speed RIGHTS Roundup

What’s trending in government relations and legislative affairs

BY AMA GOV. RELATIONS TEAM

Outdoor Rec Drives Economic Growth

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a coalition of recreation trade associations and organizations, recently analyzed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis report on the 2021 outdoor recreation economy. During the 2021 calendar year, the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 1.9 percent ($862 billion in economic output) of gross domestic product (GDP) across the nation. This is a record-breaking figure, with the inflation-adjusted GDP for the outdoor recreation economy increasing by 18.9 percent in 2021, compared with a 5.9 percent increase for the overall U.S. economy.

As the outdoor recreation industry continues to grow, largely as an unexpected result of COVID-19, there were over 4.5 million jobs within the outdoor recreation economy in 2021, which accounted for 3 percent of all U.S. employees. These substantial economic reports quantify the positive impact the outdoor and riding community has across our nation and will help in our continued efforts to support and expand responsible motorized recreation.

OIL INDUSTRY BACKS YEAR-ROUND E15 SALES

Late in the session of the 117th Congress, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb) introduced the “Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022” (S. 5145), which would allow for year-round sales of E15. While this is far from the first time that legislation with the goal of expanding E15 in the marketplace has been introduced, it is the first time the oil industry as represented by the American Petroleum Institute has supported such legislation.

“By allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide while also preserving access to lower ethanol gasoline blends, this bipartisan legislation strengthens the reliability of the fuel supply chain,” said Will Hupman, API Vice President of Downstream Policy, in Sen. Fischer’s press release.

For several reasons, not least of which is that E15 fuels are illegal in motorcycles, boat engines, lawn mowers, chainsaws and other outdoor power equipment products, the

AMA strongly opposes the expansion of E15 in the marketplace and has long demanded better labeling and consumer education where it is available. The AMA’s Government Relations team will monitor similar legislation sure to be introduced in the new 118th Congress, and work to secure access to safe fuel for the nation’s motorcyclists.

Utah To Require Ohv Education

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, the state of Utah will require all OHV operators to complete the Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Education Course. Operators under the age of 18 shall possess a youth OHV education certificate to operate an OHV on public land, road or trail. Operators 18 years of age or older may operate an OHV if they possess an approved adult OHV education certificate. The adult test will be available on Jan. 1, 2023.

To help ensure the safety of all riders, Utah law allows anyone under 18 years of age to operate an OHV on public land under the following conditions:

• The rider can reach and operate each control necessary to safely operate the off-highway vehicle

• They have in their possession an OHV education certificate or a valid

Driver’s License

• There is direct adult supervision

The online youth education course fee is $30 per student, and you only need to pass it once. Once you pass, you can print out a temporary operator license that will be valid immediately until you receive your permanent license in the mail. The OHV certification covers all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), and side-by-side ATVs (type II ATVs or UTVs). The snowmobile certification covers only snowmobiles. These education classes teach essential safety skills such as:

• Safe riding

• Proper machine sizing

• Weight distribution

• Responsible and ethical riding

• Proper handling and shifting

• Riding within your ability

Visit recreation.utah.gov for updates and on-line class information.