Signed by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill prohibiting the operation of motor vehicles on public lands, unless those lands are designated for such use.

Highlights:

- Makes it a misdemeanor to operate a motor vehicle on any federal public land, trail or road unless the road is authorized for such use. Enforcement begins after routes available for motorized travel are fully identified by maps, rout markers or signs [sec. 1 (4) (a)]. - Charges violators a $100 fine and a 10 point hunting license penalty if they are hunting, fishing or trapping [sec. 1 (4) (a)]. - Increases the fine to $200 if the violation occurs in a federal wilderness area, and adds an additional 5 point hunting license penalty if the person is hunting, fishing, or trapping [sec. 1 (4) (a)]. - Enforces the above penalties if a person operates an off-road vehicle on public streets, roads and highways (Sec. 3). - Mandates that anyone who tampers with or creates a fictitious authorization road sign will be charged with a misdemeanor, fined $100, and penalized 5 hunting license points if the person is hunting, fishing, or trapping [sec. 1 (4) (b)]. - Charges peace officers with enforcing the law and exempts them from the terms of the prohibition during the performance of their duties [sec. 1 (4) (c-d)]. - Establishes the effective date of this act as July 1, 2008 (Sec. 2). - Repeals the laws governing off-highway vehicle use on federal public lands on July 1, 2013 [sec. 2 (4) (f)]. - Amendment No. 1 was sponsored by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy, which supplements the provision governing off-highway vehicle use on public streets, roads and highways.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill prohibiting the operation of motor vehicles on public lands, unless those lands are designated for such use.

Highlights:

- Makes it a misdemeanor to operate a motor vehicle on any federal public land, trail or road, unless those areas are authorized for such use. Routes available for motorized travel must be identified by maps, route markers and signs [sec. 1 (4) (a)]. - Charges violators a $100 fine and a 10 point hunting license penalty if they are hunting, fishing or trapping [sec. 1 (4) (a)]. - Increases the fine to $200 if the violation occurs in a federal wilderness area, and adds an additional 5 point hunting license penalty if the person is hunting, fishing, or trapping [sec. 1 (4) (a)]. - Mandates that anyone who tampers with or creates a fictitious authorization road sign will be charged with a misdemeanor, fined $100, and penalized 5 hunting license points if the person is hunting, fishing, or trapping [sec. 1 (4) (b)]. - Charges peace officers with enforcing the law and exempts them from the terms of the prohibition during the performance of their duties [sec. 1 (4) (c-d)]. - Establishes the effective date of this act as July 1, 2008 (Sec. 2). - Repeals the law on July 1, 2013 [sec. 1 (4) (f)].

Full Bill Text