BAKERSFIELD, CA (May 8, 2008) – On Monday, April 28, 2008, Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) members walked the halls of the State Capitol in Sacramento to thank legislators for their overwhelming support of SB 742.  This bill rewrote the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) program.  It provides for an off-highway vehicle (OHV) program that protects the environment and greatly improves the funding and management ability of the OHMVR Division.  Additionally, ORBA members opened a dialogue with legislators on the future of SB 1228, Senator Maldonado’s bill concerning all-terrain vehicles and child safety.  “This is the year we begin to advance the success of last year’s positive legislative changes,” noted ORBA Executive Director Fred Wiley.

Appointments were made with 73 of the 120 legislators, a significant increase over previous years.  This year ORBA members found that even “walk ins” generally resulted in an opportunity to meet with the legislator or staff person.  Educating legislators about the economic impact of this industry was a high priority, in addition to pointing out that further regulation of the industry could have a negative effect.  “Explaining that hard working California families are who participate in this recreation is an important part of this day in the Capitol,” stated Tim Williams of Hap Jones Distributing, a member of ORBA’s Board.

Assemblymembers Joel Anderson and Roger Niello shared their support of OHV recreation and some insights on the current attitude towards businesses in the Capitol.  Both legislators acknowledged the increased numbers of people recreating off-highway and the need to support the OHMVR Division of California State Parks’ future efforts to provide additional recreation areas.  “Awareness of off-road issues and ORBA has definitely grown.  We’ve really come a long way and I am very excited about the reception which we received this year,” concluded Wiley.

ORBA would like to thank the generous sponsors of this year’s event: Kawasaki Motor Corp. U.S.A., Yamaha Motor Corporation and Advanstar Communications. “We appreciate their support and look forward to future partnerships that will promote the health of the OHV industry,” stated Fred Wiley, ORBA’s Executive Director.

ORBA is a national trade association composed of off-road related businesses united to promote common goals that support the prosperity and growth of the off-road industry.