Bill Crucial For New ATV Trails & Grant-in-Aid Program Passes In St. Paul

By Ray Bohn, Media & Government Affairs, & Tom Hackbarth

Two budget bills are still making their way through the 2021 1st Special Legislative Session. The not so special session anymore was convened on June 14, 2021, to finalize the budget bills not passed during the regular session. Even with the additional time, two budget bills (Taxes & K-12 Ed) are moving towards agreement by 12:00 midnight today, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The prospect for passage of these two bills is good at this time.

A Successful Session On Our Initiatives

We are happy to announce that the Environment & Natural Resources Finance Omnibus bill (Chpt. 6, SF20-HF5) has been passed by both bodies and signed by the Governor. So now we can safely report to you the results of our efforts.

ATV Minnesota had another successful session on our initiatives at the Capitol due to the help of many legislators and supporters. Below are outlined our successes and those issues/items we will need to monitor or act on again in the future sessions.

Appropriations:

1. Passed: One-time additional funding for the Prospector Trail: $955,000 FY22
2. Passed: One-time additional funding for the Voyageur Trail: $950,000 FY 22
3. Passed: One-time funding for a Statewide ATV Master Plan & trails inventory: $250.000 FY22
4. Passed: Base funding increase for ATV Grant-in-Aid trails funding of $300,000 per year. (Increases GIA funding per year in the base future funding to $2,435,000.)
5. Passage of extension of funding for a prior appropriation for Prospector Trail to June 30, 2023.

Policy:

1. Our repeal of the non-controversial "low-pressure tire" language in the ATV definition statute did not pass. It was included in both bills (and supported by the DNR) going into conference committee. We will need to research what happened and work to get the low-pressure tire provision repealed in the future.
2. No action on any provisions dealing with the Outdoor Recreation Task Force.
3. No action on any other legislative bills introduced (riding on the shoulder of state highways, etc).

Thank You To Everyone Who Supported These Efforts

Remember to say “thanks” to all the legislators who helped us with our legislation, especially the chief authors, Sen. Tom Bakk and Rep. Rob Ecklund, as well as Sen. Tomassoni, Sen. Eichorn, Sen. Ingebrigtsen, and Sen. Koran.

Other House members to thank include Rep. Sundin, Rep. Lislegard, Rep Igo, Rep. Lillie, Rep. Lueck, and Rep Heintzeman. We would also like to recognize and thank Jeff Anderson, who lobbied very effectively for the Prospector and Voyageur Trails on behalf of all ATVers! Be sure to thank him for his hard work!

 Editor's Note

Every Trail Decision Is A Political Decision Planning, funding, building and maintaining ATV trails requires working closely with public officials at the township, city, county, state and federal levels. Patience, perseverance and a positive attitude are key to success.

Thanks to our long-time and very experienced lobbyists, Ray and Tom, for their work with ATV Minnesota, and to all the State Legislators who supported our initiatives this year.

We always point out that a benefit of membership in ATV Minnesota is having lobbyists working on behalf of the ATV clubs, their members and the riding public. This year's success is a great example of that.
Please post this important news on your ATV club's website, Facebook page or newsletter, and share it with friends and family who ride our state's great ATV trail systems.

Be sure to have your club attend this year's ATV Minnesota Legislative Summit, where it all begins, as we work toward building new trails that are fun and sustainable, and have more great ribbon-cutting celebrations.