OHV Liability Bill Amendment‏

Just got this email info this morning - a big step !   

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Maryland SENATE BILL 533

The Maryland Motorcycle Dealers Association (MMDA), with the support of the MD OHV Alliance, submitted a technical amendment to Maryland's Recreational Use Statute that extends landowner liability to cover OHV use.  

Why is this good for OHVs?  The first obstacle to private landowners opening their property for OHV use is liability.  This change extends the current liability exemption (for a landowner who agrees to the use of the landowner's property for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling in Garrett County) to all Counties in Maryland and includes the use of OHVs.  This is good for owners of reclaimed coal mines in western MD, owners of sand or gravel pits in southern or eastern MD, for stone quarries, for farmers wishing to generate some additional revenue from their land, etc.  

We know several landowners who are watching this with great interest and if passed, will work towards establishing new sustainable riding/wheeling areas.

Please contact your selected State Senator or Delegate and let them know your position on this legislation.

SENATE BILL 533 - Forests and Parks - Public Recreation on Private and State-Owned Land - Off-Highway Vehicles

From the MD OHV Alliance Board

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HB660 passed the house 130-0.

SB533 just passed the Judicial proceedings committee.  It now goes to the full Senate.  
Odds are very high it will pass unopposed too.

We may be about to make history in Maryland!

Fingers are crossed. Kudos to common sense. Lawyers have closed many a riding area that never opened.