Off-road vehicle legislation advances, faces veto

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 11:01 a.m.

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CARSON CITY – A bill to require registration and licensing of possibly up to 400,000 off-road vehicles in Nevada has breezed through the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

But it faces a likely veto from Gov. Jim Gibbons because it would impose a $20-$30 registration fee on all-terrain motorcycles, dune buggies and snowmobiles.

The committee quickly gave its approval to Senate Bill 394 so it can be passed by the Legislature, which would have a chance to override the veto of the governor.

The bill has wide support from riders, dealers, law enforcement, the Nevada Conservation League, the Nevada Association of Counties, the Nevada Cattleman’s Association and the Nevada Farm Bureau.

A working group brought diverse interest together to get a consensus on the registration of these vehicles.

It has adopted a novel approach to get the program started.

Leah Bradle, executive director of the Nevada Powersport Dealers Association, told the committee that it will seek federal funds, grants and donations to pay for the up-front costs of the registration by the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

The department estimates it will cost $477,000 to begin the registration process. And it won’t start until that amount of money is raised. Farrokh Hormazdi, deputy director of the motor vehicle department, said there is concern the start-up cost could change because of the time lag. And the department is worried that it won’t collect enough money from the on-going registration to cover its cost.

Bradle said the program will “sunset” on June 30, 2011, if the start-up costs are not raised. And the Legislature would have to reauthorize it.

Bradle and Jeremiah Drew, part of the working group that developed this legislation, told the committee that purchasers of these off-road vehicles go to neighboring states to buy the units and do not pay Nevada sales tax.

For instance, Bradle said there were three dealers in Utah that sold $16.4 million worth of vehicles and Nevada lost more than $1 million in sales tax.

Asked about a possible veto, Bradle said it was “very likely” because it imposes a new fee. She and Drew had talked with members of the governor’s staff, who indicated Gibbons would not sign the bill.

Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Elko, who sponsored SB 394, said these vehicles do “significant damage” to the lands in Nevada. And the western states surrounding Nevada require registration of these vehicles.

The bill would require anybody who buys out of state would be required to be registered in Nevada within 60 days.

Rhoads estimates there are 425,000 of these off-road vehicles in Nevada.

The bill will go the floor of the Assembly. If approved there, it will return to the Senate for agreement on amendment and then on to Gibbon's desk.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By rverp

5/20/09 at 11:29 a.m.

Suggest removal

When is enough ENOUGH? Yes we have a budget shortfall, but we cannot afford new taxes. People are not going to buy new and they will not register old ones without being caught. Who is going to pay new police to run out into the desert to find violators. We cannot just keep raising taxes, since the only thing that happens is that people stop doing that activity. People are losing their jobs so you can't tax income, money is scarce so people are not purchasing so sales tax revenue is down, even high priced car registration is down. So now how about a breathing tax? WE NEED TO CUT! As a small business owner here in Las Vegas, my income is down 50% (State workers should be happy with the small cuts at least they will have a job I probably won't in another few months) I have cut my expenses huge, it is time for the state to break dagger and start slashing programs. If people don't like it then MOVE.
By Our_Linn

5/20/09 at 1:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

Amen, rverp!
By term25600

5/20/09 at 3:59 p.m.

Suggest removal

People are already cutting back on purchasing ATV's. Saddle them with sales tax issues and annual registrations and fewer yet will buy new ATV's, killing off some more Nevada businesses.

Each time you add more costs to doing something, fewer people do it. In this case, buying a NEW atv is something that can be put off by just sacrificing or buying a used unit from a private party.

State workers just need to be fired in such quantities as to balance the budget. Everyone else has to endure this, why not state workers??
By revbobdobbs

5/20/09 at 10:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

Holy crap! You can afford these vehicles and the gas to run them, but you can't afford a $20 fee? Look in the bench seat of the truck you drive an I bet you can find that in change.

The only problem I have is that the money won't be spent on trails and areas you folks use.
By Geezer

5/21/09 at 9:35 a.m.

Suggest removal

It's a good bill and long overdue. The Governor thinks everybody's out of step but him.
By BDI

5/27/09 at 10:01 p.m.

Suggest removal

I think if someone is going to reach into my pocket and take money from me because of the hobby I enjoy we need to be fair about it.The only thing that seperates me from a mountian biker is an engine. I think mountain bikers should have to pay the same tax for their mountain bikes. Hikers should have to pay some sort of tax to go hiking. Horse back riders should also have to pay something. What about bicyclest who ride road bikes? They peddle their bike down the same roads I have to pay to use, why should they get to do that for free. Maybe we should just come up with a general hobby tax. Then we could even tax people that play with radio controled cars boats and planes those all have engines on them. We as off roaders are easy targets we are out numbered by alot of people that would like to see us gone just so they can have the desert all to themselves. If you ride there you will get a ticket but if you have enough money you can destroy the whole place and build as many houses as you want. So what is it realy about? I'm guessing it's about money.