California Off-Road Vehicle Association Applauds Governor Brown for Signing SB 249 that Creates Permanent Off-Road Program
Off-Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition Hires Lobbyist to Advocate for Off-Road Interests

Sacramento, Calif. – During his first term in office, in 1982, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 2397, creating the Off-Highway Motorized Vehicle Recreation Division. Today, California Off-Road Vehicle Association was notified by the Governor’s office that he has signed Senate Bill 249 into law.

The OHMVR Division is now a permanent part of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, dedicated to providing off-road opportunities within the state. Enthusiasts, businesses and all those who benefit from and enjoy off-highway vehicles can now be assured California supports continued motorized vehicle recreation.

Prior to the introduction of Senate Bill 249, the California Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program was set to expire at the end of this year. When Senate Bill 249 to reauthorize the Off-Highway Motorized Vehicle Recreation program was first introduced during this legislative session, the California Off-Road Vehicle Association and many off-road enthusiasts objected to a majority of the bill’s content.

Due in large part to the hard work and actions of CORVA staff and members, allied off-road organizations and lobbyists representing the off-road community, the author and key legislators listened. Using a collaborative process, the will was drastically revised.

“Members’ calls to their legislators worked,” said CORVA Managing Director Amy Granat. “The off-road vehicle community was able to convince the author of the bill and legislative leaders to work with off-road representatives on Senate Bill 249 and companion bill Senate Bill 159.”

During the first year of the current legislative session, in response to the need to reauthorize the OHMVR program, lobbyist Kathy Lynch of Lynch and Associates was engaged by the San Diego Off-Road Coalition to represent the interests of SDORC and allied off-road groups. Working together with the united OHV community, Ms. Lynch proved pivotal to the success that has now resulted in a permanent off-road program in California, signed into law by Governor Brown.

The Off-Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition — comprised of the American Sand Association, CORVA and the San Diego Off-Road Coalition — has now hired Lynch to provide legislative advocacy services for the Coalition during the next year of the current legislative session.

“The Coalition member organizations were impressed with the way she worked in close coordination with other lobbyists who represented the off-road vehicle community in California to ensure passage of the bill,” Granat said. “The Coalition looks forward to utilizing Kathy’s expertise to continue to protect motorized vehicle access to our public lands.”
About the Off-Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition
The Off-Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of the American Sand Association, California Off-Road Vehicle Association and San Diego Off Road Coalition. Each organization has an impressive history of successfully engaging with government agencies at all levels to promote and defend the rights of off-road recreationists.

About CORVA
Working for off-road interests at all levels of government since 1970, the California Off-Road Vehicle Association is based in Sacramento, Calif. CORVA is solely supported by members, donations and sponsors. The organization’s primary focus includes working with federal and state agencies to promote off-road recreation and prevent trail closures, while protecting motorized access in California for the people, not from the people. CORVA ensures that the voices of off-road recreationaists are heard and that off-road trail users retain the right to enjoy public land. For more information, visit CORVA.org.