A bill to require all offroad vehicles (ATVs, four-wheelers) and non-road use motorcycles (dirtbikes, racing bikes, etc.) is set to be heard in the Senate Commerce Committee tomorrow morning.
SB 642, introduced by Sen. Doug Berger (D-Franklin) and Sen. Ellie Kinnaird (D-Orange) would require the owners of all offroad vehicles to register those vehicles with the state and pay $15 per year for the privilege of owning one of these vehicles. Vehicles will be required to be equipped with license plates.
Not to get off on a whole libertarian rant (again), but since these vehicles are used offroad (read: off public roads) then they will be used on private property. What business is it of the state which types of vehicles I use on private property? Does the state have a vested interest in licensing the vehicle I use to drive around my land? I think not.
This bill smacks of a blatant attempt to garner more revenue for government. And not just state government mind you. Once a vehicle like this is licensed by the state, what stops the counties from coming in and wanting you to pay property tax on it. Since it's licensed by DMV, it can technically be considered a vehicle and not personal property, so it would be subject to property taxes.
SB 642 – a backdoor attempt to garner more tax revenue and erode private property rights.
It won’t be long until they are taxing riding lawn mowers. I don’t even own an ATV and this really irks me.
Me too, it’s got a very shady quality to it. It’s not on public roads, therefore they have no business to get any cash.