Lobby Day

CLORV 2009 Lobby Day, April 27 & 28 Sacramento, California

April 27th: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Lobby Day Orientation, Dinner. Holiday Inn, Capitol Plaza

April 28th: CSAC Room, Pyramid Alehouse

8:00 am to 9:00 am

Sign-in & Introductions
Breakfast
Welcome event

9:00 am to 10:30 am

Lobby Day Orientation Continued

Appointment assignments

Guest Speakers (to be announced)

10:30 am to 5:00 pm

Appointments/office visits (should be made ahead of time with your representatives)

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Chops Steakhouse Balero Room

Legislative Reception and awards presentation

14th ANNUAL CA OHV LOBBY DAY REPORT

The 2008 14th Annual OHV Lobbying Day at the State Capitol was held on Monday, April 7th. It was a great success, continuing a successful string of Lobby Days. We had over 80 participants from around the state and as usual they were quite a presence roaming the halls and visiting legislative offices. Sponsored once again by the California League of Off Road Voters (CLORV) and Friends.

Lead by lobbyist Pete Conaty and assistant Dana Nichol, we were treated to a great list of speakers in the morning. We met at the CSAC (California State Association of Counties) Conference room. Guest speakers were: Ruth Coleman, Director of California State Parks; Daphne Greene, Deputy Director of OHMVR Division; Terry McHale, ASA's Lobbyist; Assemblyman Joel Anderson, 77th District; Don Amador, Blue Ribbon Coalition.

After lunch it was off to the legislators’ offices in the Capitol for the real work of the day. Off roaders were sent out in teams to visit legislator’s offices to lobby on SB 1228, authored by Senator Abel Maldonado (D-San Luis Obispo). SB 1228 would extend existing law pertaining to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) requiring parental supervision from age 14 to 16. It would require riders to provide a safety certificate to law enforcement personnel on demand. Also, the bill would impose specified size restrictions on all-terrain vehicles operated by persons under 16 years of age. This would only apply to public lands, not private. We left each legislator or staff person reference material on the subject along with proof that AB 2755 that passed years ago is working to protect children.

This portion of the Lobby Day puts a personal face on this issue and educates legislators and their staff about OHV recreation. Many of their constituents participate in this exciting family activity and the economic value to all of California from the OHV activity are discussed.

In the evening a reception was given at the Chops Steakhouse. All legislators were invited to attend this event. This event is always a highlight of the Lobby Day events. We had about 90 attendees including many legislators, staff members, and administration appointees from the Resources Agency, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. We were honored to be joined at the reception by Daphne Greene, the Deputy Director of the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. The reception is where the off road community honors legislators and others for their support of off roading. This year we honored Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Santee) as the Legislator of the Year for 2008.

The California League of Off Road Voters is comprised of politically active members of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) National, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 36, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 37 Off Road and Dual Sport Divisions, the American Sand Association (ASA), the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC), the California Nevada Snowmobile Association (CNSA), the California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), the Friends of Oceano Dunes (FOD), the Off Road Business Association (ORBA), and the San Diego Off-Road Coalition (SDORC), which collectively have over 100,000 members.

To find your legislators and their districts click here.