Discussion on Right to Ride legislation. http://www.bchmt.org/phorum/list.php?2 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:31:41 -0600 Phorum 5.2.10 http://www.bchmt.org/phorum/read.php?2,2,2#msg-2 http://www.bchmt.org/phorum/read.php?2,2,2#msg-2
Right-to-Ride Summary: To preserve the traditional use and access of pack and saddle stock on lands administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the United States Forest Service.

In 2003 Mr. Radanovich of California introduced Right-to-Ride legislation to the Second Session of the 108th Congress as HR 2966. Despite garnering 21 co-sponsors and being engrossed in the House of Representatives on September 22, 2004, the bill was sent to the Senate where it died in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

During the First Session of the 109th Congress, Mr. Radanovich again introduced HR 586 Right-to-Ride on February 2, 2005. Having 39 co-sponsors, the bill was again engrossed by the House of Representatives on May 17, 2006, and was sent to and received by the Senate, where it was read twice and again referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Also during the First Session of the 109th Congress, Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho introduced Senate bill S781 on April 14, 2005. This bill was the same as HR586 Right-to-Ride and was also read twice and referred to the Committee of Energy and Natural Resources.

These bills have in common languishment, the Senate Committee of Energy and Natural Resources. Should the Right-to-Ride again come before this committee, the Back Country Horsemen of America must unite through an email and/or letter-writing campaign to influence the members of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to send the bill before the full Senate for consideration and, hopefully, passage. With both the committee chairman and a ranking member from the state of New Mexico, the BCH of New Mexico could play an influential role in this campaign. Of the 23 committee members, 12 Senators are from Back Country Horsemen states.

Recent trail closures on the White River National Forest of Colorado and the Gallatin National Forest of Montana are pressing reminders why the Back Country Horsemen of America must rally popular support to help propel the Right-to-Ride bill through the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the United States Senate.

Respectfully submitted by,
R. Fred Fitzpatrick
ESBCH]]> Fred Fitzpatrick Right-To-Ride Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:34:44 -0700