Well, California’s gone and done it. After years of confusion, frustration, and dust-ups over off-highway competition vehicles, they’ve signed Senate Bill 708 into law. Governor Gavin Newsom put his pen to paper on September 22, ushering in a fresh permit program to replace the now-defunct Red Sticker Program, which was cut in 2021 by the California Air Resources Board.
Finally, It Is Clear for Motorcycle Competition Organizers
Credit where it’s due: Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones pushed this bill through with bipartisan support, aiming to fix the head-scratching confusion over identifying competition vehicles. You can bet the land management agencies and sanctioning bodies are breathing a sigh of relief. No more scratching their heads at off-road events.
The AMA’s Nick Haris called it a “major win,” and he’s right. The uncertainty is over. This law puts California’s off-highway competition community back on solid ground. And it wasn’t without effort. Hats off to AMA’s California members, especially those in District 36, for three years of relentless advocacy.
To top it off, the bill reinstates fees lost when the Red Sticker Program went belly-up, funneling funds into trail maintenance and event costs. That’s how you ride into the sunset.
Learn more about this and other important issues at the American Motorcyclist Association’s website.
