ORV measure changed to allow state-land travel

State lands will continue to be considered open to vehicle use unless posted as closed.

Originally, changes within HB361 would have changed the assumption for public lands so that the lands would be closed to vehicle use, unless posted otherwise. That change was requested by multiple state agencies who wanted more ability to protect sensitive lands.

But some lawmakers didn't like that.

"This makes it so any land is considered closed unless it is specified as open," Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, said. "I have a real problem with that . . . it changes the whole use for off-road vehicles."

The amendment was removed from the bill, which then passed the House Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Tuesday. Primarily, the bill contains technical changes that update statutes used by state agencies to manage public lands.