ORBA VP Writes Youth ATV BAN Letter

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Recently ORBA Vice President Jim McGarvie sent a letter to U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) expressing his concern about the youth ATV ban, which is negatively impacting many ORBA members. Congressman Hunter—an off-roader himself— sent a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission asking them to expedite consideration and grant the petitions for the exclusion submitted by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and some of their member companies.

In the letter Congressman Hunter stated that is was not the intent of the Consumer Product Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA of 2008) to create undue economic hardships on the OHV industry, especially during a time of already unprecedented economic conditions. The congressman also goes on to state that if the requested exclusion was granted to the OHV industry that the CPSC would be engaging in a reasonable interpretation and implementation of the CPSIA of 2008.

ORBA, MIC and SVIA continue to closely monitor the implementation of the CPSIA of 2008 and to work for relief for the OHV industry.  In addition to the pending exclusion petitions with CPSC, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) have introduced bills in Congress which would grant exemptions from the lead content provisions for youth ATVs and motorcycles. You can help by visiting the MIC's "Stop the Ban" website (http://www.mic.org/letters.cfm) for several ways to contact your Congressional representatives and members of the CPSC oversight committees to urge them to support the pending bills.

ORBA is a national trade association composed of off-road related businesses united to promote common goals that support the prosperity and growth of the off-road industry.