H.R. 289, which the AMA has lobbied for, would roll back regulations for the use of federal lands for events such as desert races and enduros and make special-use permits for these events easier to obtain.

The bill, known as the GO Act, passed the House and is currently in the Senate with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Current regulations put in place by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service require a permitting process that often includes a review under the National Environmental Policy Act and can take as long as 18 months.

The delays can discourage some groups from applying at all, according to a letter signed by the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, the Colorado Snowmobile Alliance, the Off-Road Business Association and the Trail Preservation Alliance.

Under H.R. 289, annual events would not have to be reauthorized each year, sparing organizers the annual NEPA review.

The bill would also require the Agriculture and Interior departments to establish a program to grant temporary permits for new recreational uses of federal lands and waters. Entities would be able to convert their temporary permit into a long-term permit after two years of satisfactory performance.

H.R. 289 was introduced by U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.). It is cosponsored by nine Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.).