Division director outlines budget impacts, bills affecting OHV operations

Jason Curry, Division Director for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, summarized recent legislative and budget developments that will affect the division's OHV programs. He said the legislature finalized a General Fund reduction of $20,000, down from an earlier proposed $80,000 cut, and noted the Division has taken on $80,000 per year in operation and maintenance costs for a maintenance shop building. Curry also described budget expansion requests in the Governor's and subcommittee budgets for a mechanized trail crew, a project management position, and a $2.5 million appropriation for the OHV recreation grant.

Curry reviewed three bills the council should expect to affect operations. He said HB 375 would enable funding from the Outdoor Adventure Fund to cover administrative and public‑relations costs to relieve pressure on registration funds; HB 444 would relax dune riding flag-color rules to a broader "high‑visibility" standard; and HB 381 would establish definitions and age/certification requirements for high‑powered electric vehicles used on city streets. The Division intends to monitor implementation details as the bills progress and to coordinate any necessary administrative changes with the council.

The council did not take a formal vote on these items; Curry presented them as informational updates and recommended continued coordination between Division staff and council members as appropriation and rule details are finalized.