Division reports $20,000 General Fund reduction and $2.5M OHV grant proposal in governor's budget

Jason Curry, director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation, briefed the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Council on legislative and budget outcomes on March 6, 2026. Curry said the General Fund reduction was finalized at $20,000, down from an earlier proposed $80,000 cut, and that the Division has taken on $80,000 per year in operation and maintenance costs for its maintenance shop building.

Curry also described budget expansion requests included in the Governor’s and subcommittee budgets: funding for a mechanized trail crew, a project management role, and "an additional $2.5 million appropriation for the OHV recreation grant." He summarized three bills affecting OHV policy: HB 375 (authorizing use of the Outdoor Adventure Fund for administrative/PR costs), HB 444 (changing sand dune flag rules to a broader "high-visibility" standard), and HB 381 (defining and setting training age requirements for high-powered electric vehicles on city streets).