Summary of Environment Committee Meeting 03/12/10

There were several bills that were commented on at the hearing (Senate 116, 382, 385, 386, & 388 and House 5417, 5418, 5419, 5420, & 5477) which meant it was going to be a long day. The ATV bill is proposed bill number 5417. For a copy click here.
We had submitted out testimony in advance as well as our suggested changes to the existing law as well as 5417.
In attendance in support of 5417 were Lewis Davidson, President, CMBA, Doug Nagan, Secretary CMBA, Jeff Going, Nautilus Sales, Roger Donzillo, Nautilus, and Peter Soulsby, ATV rider.
First, elected officials spoke.
Representative Mikutel lead off in support of 5417. He spoke for several minutes in strong support.
Rep. Elissa Wright then spoke in support of sections 1 and 2 of 5417.
After testimony from the Dean of the Agricultural Extension Carl Wagoner spoke in support of sec. 1 of 5417.
Next the Public. The drill is that the public signs in before the meeting and picks a lottery number for when your turn is to speak. Obviously this means the public speakers will be a random mixed up order for varying bills, some for some against. We are only listing those who made comments on 5417.
Lewis Davidson, President CMBA was the fourth public speaker, A copy of his remarks can be found at this link.
The ninth speaker was David Sutherland of the Nature Conservancy and he was very anti ATV.
The eleventh speaker was Martin Mader (sp?), of the Sierra Club, who supported 5417 secs 1 and 2 and did not make any anti-ATV remarks.
The fourteenth speaker was Chip Martin of Working Hands Community Farms as well as thet 20th speaker Henry Talmidge of CT Farms, supported parts 1 and 2 of 5417.
Roger Donzillo of Nautilus was 25th and strongly supported 5417
At 26 David Bingham representing multiple organizations supported 5417 parts 1 and 2 and was against part 3.
Eric Hammerling, number 36, was for multiple bills but made a final statement against ATV’s
Peter Soulsby was 46th and spoke strongly in support of ATV riding and 5417.
Chris Vanderhof of NETRA was 47th and spoke against 5417 sections 3 and 4.
Jeff Going, of Nautilus, was 49th and spoke strongly in favor of ATV’s and 5417. A copy of his testimony can be found here.
At 50th Bob Andrews spoke in favor of 5417.
And finally at 61, out of 62 speakers, Doug Nagan spoke stongly in favor of ATV’s and 5417. A copy of his testimony can be downloaded here.
So to wrap it up twelve out of the sixtytwo speakers commented on 5417 and eight out of twelve were in favor of the ATV’s and 5417. (67% )