Division director outlines key outdoor recreation bills, including e‑bike and boating education measures

Jason Curry, director with the Division of Outdoor Recreation, summarized key bills from the recent legislative session that affect state outdoor programs and local partners.

Curry said HB 12 (Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Amendments) changes grant language so adaptive equipment can be treated like infrastructure for grant applications. "Just like a wheelchair ramp would be clearly infrastructure, so is a specialized access chair considered as infrastructure when it comes to grant applications," Curry said.

Other measures: Curry described HB 54, which will require boating operators to obtain a safety certification covering right‑of‑way, speed and proximity rules; the Division will consult with the Department of Public Safety on course development. He also spoke about an e‑bike bill (referred to in the presentation as "HB 3D1") that clarifies e‑bike classes and definitions and aims to pair training and helmet rules with enforcement.

Implementation details: Commissioners asked about who will create the required training and when it becomes effective. Curry said the Department of Public Safety will develop the online personal electric vehicle and boating training and that the delivery date for the course is not expected until May 5, 2027; in the interim, local law enforcement and municipalities will need to coordinate rollout and outreach.

Why it matters: The bills clarify what grants can pay for, add education requirements intended to improve public safety on water and public roads, and change how local governments and state agencies will coordinate training and enforcement.

What’s next: Curry said the division will provide materials and support for local partners as agencies work to implement the new training and grant rules.