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Legislature; Fines also Increased
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In December, the ISSA Emergency Funding and Legislative Committee
identified snowmobile inclusion on corridor trails as a top priority for the
2007 Legislative Session. With help from ISSA Lobbyists Mike Heller and
Paula Feltner, the ISSA was specifically looking to redefine the term
“multi-use” to guarantee inclusion of all user groups in new trail planning.
“Many users are now being eliminated from trail usage in the planning
process,” reads the ISSA’s Legislative Bullet Points for 2007. “(Our
proposed legislation) would provide for automatic inclusion for all user
groups on corridor trails and shared corridors.”
Gaining access to railroad corridors is integral to the ISSA’s plan. As of
October, there were 12 railroad grades in various stages of abandonment
in Iowa. In many cases, the Iowa Trails Council has already initiated the
process to convert those grades into recreational trails, and the ISSA has
since been playing catch-up to ensure snowmobiler’s needs are addressed.
When the Iowa Legislature adjourned April 29, the ISSA learned its top
goal for 2007 had been achieved. Thanks to their lobbying efforts, Iowa
snowmobilers supported the Senate initiative to bond for trails and to
provide that those funds could be used for dual snowmobile/equestrian
trails.
"The amendment is the first time that the Iowa Legislature has enacted
legislation that specifically recognized that snowmobiles have a legitimate
place in the trail system and the first time the Legislature has sent a strong
message that they want the Iowa trail system to maximize the number of
users," Heller said. "It is a big step for snowmobilers in Iowa."
Overall, Heller said 2007 was a "very good year" for snowmobilers. In
addition to the language bill, the IDNR-initiated and ISSA-supported
legislation on fine increases, fees and general clean-up of the ATV and
snowmobile legislation was passed. "As you may remember, the fine
provisions were included in our initial legislation that split the ATV and
snowmobile chapters a few years ago," Heller said. The changes will go
into effect July 1, now that the Governor has signed the bill.
On the other hand, the Kettering bill to reimburse the $1 million depleted
from state snowmobile program reserves in 2002 failed to gain any
traction, and many ISSA board members are reluctantly coming to terms
that this much-needed reimbursement may never materialize.
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In December, the ISSA Emergency Funding and Legislative Committee
identified snowmobile inclusion on corridor trails as a top priority for the
2007 Legislative Session. With help from ISSA Lobbyists Mike Heller and
Paula Feltner, the ISSA was specifically looking to redefine the term
“multi-use” to guarantee inclusion of all user groups in new trail planning.
“Many users are now being eliminated from trail usage in the planning
process,” reads the ISSA’s Legislative Bullet Points for 2007. “(Our
proposed legislation) would provide for automatic inclusion for all user
groups on corridor trails and shared corridors.”
Gaining access to railroad corridors is integral to the ISSA’s plan. As of
October, there were 12 railroad grades in various stages of abandonment
in Iowa. In many cases, the Iowa Trails Council has already initiated the
process to convert those grades into recreational trails, and the ISSA has
since been playing catch-up to ensure snowmobiler’s needs are addressed.
When the Iowa Legislature adjourned April 29, the ISSA learned its top
goal for 2007 had been achieved. Thanks to their lobbying efforts, Iowa
snowmobilers supported the Senate initiative to bond for trails and to
provide that those funds could be used for dual snowmobile/equestrian
trails.
"The amendment is the first time that the Iowa Legislature has enacted
legislation that specifically recognized that snowmobiles have a legitimate
place in the trail system and the first time the Legislature has sent a strong
message that they want the Iowa trail system to maximize the number of
users," Heller said. "It is a big step for snowmobilers in Iowa."
Overall, Heller said 2007 was a "very good year" for snowmobilers. In
addition to the language bill, the IDNR-initiated and ISSA-supported
legislation on fine increases, fees and general clean-up of the ATV and
snowmobile legislation was passed. "As you may remember, the fine
provisions were included in our initial legislation that split the ATV and
snowmobile chapters a few years ago," Heller said. The changes will go
into effect July 1, now that the Governor has signed the bill.
On the other hand, the Kettering bill to reimburse the $1 million depleted
from state snowmobile program reserves in 2002 failed to gain any
traction, and many ISSA board members are reluctantly coming to terms
that this much-needed reimbursement may never materialize.