HCS HB 1438 -- USE OF PUBLIC LANDS

SPONSOR:  Pollock (Kelly)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
State Parks and Waterways by a vote of 6 to 0.

This substitute specifies that no United States resident will be
denied access to any public land owned, managed, or funded by the
State of Missouri for the purpose of riding horses or mules on
designated trails and road systems currently in use.  However,
access may be denied if the use is contrary or detrimental to the
current usage of the land by the state.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2009,
FY 2010, and FY 2011.  Estimated Cost on Other State Funds of
Unknown in FY 2009, FY 2010, and FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that many trails that were once open
for equine use have now closed resulting in the state losing
tourism revenue.  The bill will help keep trails open for equine
use by requiring that the use is detrimental to the land before a
trail could be closed.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Kelly and Wilson
(119); Gene Donley, Jim Wood, and Bob Voyles, Missouri Foxtrotter
Horse Breed Association; Missouri Farm Bureau; Paul Martin,
Douglas County Foxtrotter Horse Breed Association; and Marsha
Copeland and Allison Schottenhaml, Show-Me Missouri Back Country
Horsemen.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that there are many
concerns when designating a trail as a horse trail including
federal law, state law, and donor restrictions as well as the
maintenance costs.

Testifying on the bill was Department of Conservation.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm