Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board - Establishment
SB 711 establishes the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The board is made up of gubernatorial appointees representing off-highway vehicle interests, motorcycle dealers, motorcyclists, ATV/UTV/side-by-side drivers, and on- and off-road motor vehicle drivers. It must elect a chair, meet at least quarterly, and receive staff and support from the Department and related natural resource agencies, as well as county representatives where department-maintained trails are located.
The board’s core duties are advisory and fiscal oversight. It advises the Secretary of Natural Resources on the operation, acquisition, regulation, and overall oversight of off-highway recreational vehicle trails and recreation in Maryland, and it reviews expenditures from the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund. The bill also sets recommended minimum spending allocations from that fund, including percentages for trail development, trail maintenance, camping and parking infrastructure, land leasing for public use, advertising and education, and board administrative costs. The act takes effect October 1, 2025.
The bill adds a new section to the Natural Resources Article, creating a formal state board to guide policy and spending related to off-highway recreational vehicle recreation. It does not create a new tax or fee, but it does shape how the existing Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund is expected to be used by establishing review responsibilities and recommended minimum allocations for specific purposes. The measure affects the Department of Natural Resources, the Secretary, county governments with department-maintained trails, and off-highway recreation stakeholders such as riders, dealers, and advocacy groups.
The available legislative history suggests the bill was broadly supported. It received a favorable committee report with amendments, and the Senate passed it on third reading by a unanimous 47-0 vote. The absence of recorded opposition in the provided materials indicates general agreement with creating a structured advisory body for off-highway recreational vehicle recreation and trail funding oversight.
No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so specific objections are not documented in the record here. Based on the bill text, any potential points of contention would likely center on the composition of the board, the degree of influence given to user and industry representatives, and the recommended earmarks for the Trail Fund. Stakeholders focused on conservation, land management, or competing recreational uses might scrutinize the spending priorities, while off-highway vehicle advocates would likely favor the dedicated oversight and funding guidance.