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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 1, 2014 09:49 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Adam Harris |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Animal Drawn Vehicles |
| Recently I had the pleasure of working on a legislative proposal that was brought to my attention by one of our BMC Legislative Fellows, Ashley Sheaffer, a student at Penn State University and a resident of Lebanon County. Our Transportation committee staff referred Ashley to my office because I have contacted the committee in the past about this issue due to the fact that I have had several constituent complaints pertaining to the damage done by horse/animal-drawn vehicles (i.e. Amish Buggies) on rural roads. Ashley put a tremendous amount of time and energy into her proposal and after working together on the draft language I have decided to introduce this legislation in the near future. Specifically, this legislation would allow local governments (a “may” provision) to enact ordinances regarding the registration and licensing of animal-drawn vehicles. It is modeled after an Illinois law that was passed in 2002 (60 ILCS 1/85-55) and specifies that: Sec. 85-55. Horse-drawn vehicles. The township board may, by ordinance, license and regulate horse-drawn vehicles operating within the township. The ordinance may also (i) prescribe regulations for the safe operation of horse-drawn vehicles and (ii) require the examination of persons operating a horse-drawn vehicle. Any annual fee charged for a license to operate a horse-drawn vehicle may not exceed $50. Any fees charged for a license to operate a horse-drawn vehicle within the township must be used for the improvement of township roads. For the purposes of this Section, "horse-drawn vehicle" means any vehicle powered by any animal of the equine family. In addition, both Ohio and Indiana have state laws that address the issue of licensing and registering animal-drawn vehicles and the repair and maintenance of roads used by animal-drawn vehicles. Road damage from horse-drawn vehicles can be extensive on some local roads due to the use of steel wheels and horseshoes. This legislation will give local governments the option to enact an ordinance that will require horse-drawn vehicles to be registered. All of the funds raised from the registration and licensing of horse-drawn vehicles must be used by the local government for road maintenance and repair. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that will empower local governments and give them a useful tool that can be used to help maintain quality roads for all of their residents. |