Author Archives: Bill McGibbon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2025

Governor Newsom Signs SB 586 into Law — A Milestone for California’s OHV Community

(Sacramento, CA) — AMA District 36’s Legislative Action Office (LAO) is proud to announce that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 586 (Jones), known as the “eMoto Bill,” into law. Sponsored by the District 36 Motorcycle Sports Committee, this legislation clarifies the classification and registration of electric motorcycles, ensuring they are fully integrated into California’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Program.

SB 586 modernizes the OHV program to reflect emerging technologies and provides new, ongoing revenue for the OHV Trust Fund — strengthening support for trail maintenance, safety programs, law enforcement, and environmental stewardship throughout California.

“For more than four decades, the District 36 Legislative Action Office has represented our members and riders throughout Northern California in legislative and land use matters,” said Ted Cabral, Legislative Action Officer for AMA District 36. “The passage of SB 586 continues that legacy by preparing the OHV Program for current and future vehicle technologies.”

District 36 LAO acknowledges the leadership of Senator Majority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee) and his staff for authoring and carrying SB 586, the dedication of Terry McHale of Aaron Read & Associates for his advocacy, and the forward-thinking sponsorship of the District 36 Motorcycle Sports Committee, which provided technical expertise and guidance throughout the legislative process.

AMA District 36 is a chartered district of the American Motorcyclist Association, representing more than 3,400 members and 20 clubs and promoters across Northern California and Northwestern Nevada. Through competition, recreation, and advocacy, District 36 is committed to protecting access to public lands and promoting responsible motorized recreation for future generations.

Media Contact:
Ted Cabral
Legislative Action Officer
AMA District 36 LAO
 d36lao@gmail.com

Please join us on Wednesday the 20th via the Zoom Platform us for our monthly District 36 meeting (link to join below).  We value your input and encourage you to share any comments, concerns, or questions you may have as members.  Your feedback is important to us!   

If you have business with the District please join the webinar.  Voting in the general and competition meetings will only be open to Active members on the Webinar and not those viewing the meeting on Facebook.

Our regular meeting will start at 7:00 pm. followed by a Competition Committee meeting where rule change proposals will be heard and voted on.  You may review all upcoming proposals here.  

If you just want to view the meeting you can watch it live on the D36 Members FB page where you can also make comments that will be monitored.

If you would like to learn more about our Legislative Action Office and what it’s doing for you see our Right To Ride page.

All Active member Clubs and Promoters are strongly encouraged to attend (see District 36 Operations Manual, page 4, paragraph 1.2.1 – meeting attendance).

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: Oct 15, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic:  Official District 36 October 15th, 2025 Meeting

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81649627539

Phone one-tap:
+16699009128,,81649627539# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,81649627539# US

Join via audio:
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Webinar ID: 816 4962 7539
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcK0Q6qfVe

~~~~~~

Monique Whitworth
D36 Secretary
209-896-6280

As some of you may already know, D36 fan favorite and multi-year International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) competitor, Anson Maloney, sustained serious injuries during the 6th and final day of this year’s ISDE in Bergamo, Italy. He is currently in stable condition, but he has a long road to recovery ahead.

Here’s what happened: after a seemingly minor tip-over in the final moto, Anson was struck by several other riders. The crash left him with multiple broken ribs, a broken humerus, a fractured scapula, a damaged lung, and other injuries. Incredibly, despite all of this, Anson got back up and finished the moto—helping secure a historic milestone for the United States, as this became the first year ever that every single U.S. racer completed all six days of the ISDE. Even more inspiring, Anson crossed the finish line without even knowing this fact—he did it simply because that’s who he is: determined, tough, and relentless.

Since then, Anson has been recovering in an Italian hospital, waiting until he is stable enough to fly home. Once back in the U.S., his medical expenses will be significant. Anyone who has spoken to, raced with, or worked alongside Anson knows he’s one of the kindest, most selfless people you’ll ever meet—always willing to help others. Please feel free if you are inclined to help out you can send a donation to Anson through his Venmo at:  @anson169q

editors note:  Anson is back home recovering.

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Don Amador
Email: damador@cwo.com
Date: September 1, 2025

OHV AND CONSERVATION GROUPS VOICE STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT SOLAR PROJECT
SACRAMENTO, CA – On August 28, representatives from OHV and conservation organizations gathered
at the Wilton Community Center to voice strong concerns regarding the siting of a 2,704 acre solar
project directly adjacent to the California State Parks Prairie City Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Area (SVRA)
near Folsom, CA. The public meeting was hosted by D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), an
energy development firm.

DESRI highlighted several proposed mitigation measures developed in response to concerns raised
during the public comment period that ended on May 5 for the Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch Project
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) to address significant and unmitigatible impacts to public
access, scenic vistas, wildlife corridors, destruction of oak woodlands, well water supply, and park
operations.

With new energy projects being proposed adjacent to other State Park units such as Ocotillo Wells and
Heber Dunes SVRAs, a question was raised about an apparent policy change by State Parks to shift away
from its historic strategy of protecting SVRAs and other parks units with open-space buffers vs. to
accepting energy facilities or solar farms becoming the Department of Parks and Recreation’s new
industrial facility buffer strategy.

An environmental group representative with decades of CEQA experience reviewing solar and other
industrial projects said this is the 1st solar project the conservation community at large has opposed in
the state because it is in the top 1 or 2 of the worst projects they have ever seen.
Don Amador, former Chair of the CA State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR)
Commission, states, “I think Sacramento County Planning made a huge mistake by failing to notify the
OHMVR Commission about this solar project sited next to Prairie City SVRA per Public Resources Code
Section 5090.24 that requires the commission to (a) Be fully informed regarding all governmental
activities affecting the program.”

“In addition, the project proponents committed a major planning error by not reaching out to the OHV
community and competition organizations in 2021 pre-scoping efforts and during the 30-day public
scoping comment period that started on January 19, 2022. That omission of outreach continued until
late April of this year when OHV organizations got an alert by a 3 rd party about this project just a few
days before the DEIR May 5 public comment deadline,” Amador continues.
The next step in this process is for OHV groups, local businesses, conservation, and competition
organizations to attend in-person or virtually the September 4, 2025 OHMVR Commission meeting in
Redding, CA where this issue is on the agenda as an ACTION ITEM.

“It is important for the OHMVR Commissioners to hear from the greater OHV stakeholder community
about their concerns regarding the project’s short and long-term impacts to public access, park
operations, and even questions about the SVRA’s future,” Amador concludes.

If this project is withdrawn by the county, it will be because they failed to do the initial pre-scoping of
key stakeholder groups who would have most likely supported the project at a more suitable site away
from this deeply treasured State Park unit with its high quality off-road trail and track network, safety
training programs, nationally recognized powersports competition events, and scenic views of nearby
oak forests and native grasslands.

DEIR COMMENTS FROM OHV, CONSERVATION, AND AGENCIES
https://planning.saccounty.gov/Documents/Coyote%20Creek%20Agrivoltaic%20Ranch/DEIR/Updated%
20All%20Comments%20Received%20on%20the%20Draft%20EIR.pdf

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 OHMVR COMMISSION MEETING
https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27160

Don Amador

Coming up Saturday the 6th is the District 36 Sanction Meeting where Clubs and Promoters are awarded Competition Dates for 2026, there are nominations and voting for some members for the 2026 Board of Directors and reports from some officials on what’s going on in the District.

Attendance is required of Clubs and Promoters that want to secure a date(s) for their meets / events in 2026 

This meeting is live and in person and will also be streamed live on The D36 Members Facebook page

Following the Sanction Meeting the regular District 36 Monthly  meeting will be held at the same location and also streamed live on the D36 Members Facebook page.

Time:
Sanction meeting 9am
Referee Meeting time approx. 11-12 after Sanction meeting

Location:
Fraternal Order of Eagles
215 Scott Street
Folsom, CA   95630

If you would like to learn more about our Legislative Action Office and what it’s doing for you see our Right To Ride page.

All Active member Clubs and Promoters are strongly encouraged to attend (see District 36 Operations Manual, page 4, paragraph 1.2.1 – meeting attendance).

CODE RED ACTION ALERT – FUTURE OF PRAIRE CITY SVRA (SAVE the DATE AUG. 28)

Your OHV advocacy corps and CA OHV commission have worked hard with the Coyote Creek Solar Project managers and CA State Parks OHMVR Division to have a public hearing on the proposed solar project that is sited along the southern property line of the SVRA.

The meeting will be held on August 28 at 6pm and it is critically important for you, your family, and riding network to attend in-person to voice your concerns about having an energy facility constructed in the viewshed of the park and discuss potential short and long-term impacts to both casual OHV use and the many competition events that are held there including the Hangtown MX Classic and Ultra 4 Racing.

Please SHARE this with your friends and I hope to see you there.    Stay tuned for further updates and info on this meeting including the virtual option.

Thanks for your attention to this matter.

Don Amador

Please join us on Wednesday the 20th via the Zoom Platform us for our monthly District 36 meeting (link to join below).  We value your input and encourage you to share any comments, concerns, or questions you may have as members.  Your feedback is important to us!   

If you have business with the District please join the webinar.  Voting in the general and competition meetings will only be open to Active members on the Webinar and not those viewing the meeting on Facebook.

Our regular meeting will start at 7:00 pm. followed by a Competition Committee meeting where rule change proposals will be heard and voted on.  You may review all upcoming proposals here.  

If you just want to view the meeting you can watch it live on the D36 Members FB page where you can also make comments that will be monitored.

If you would like to learn more about our Legislative Action Office and what it’s doing for you see our Right To Ride page.

All Active member Clubs and Promoters are strongly encouraged to attend (see District 36 Operations Manual, page 4, paragraph 1.2.1 – meeting attendance).

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: Aug 20, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic:  Official District 36 August 20th, 2025 Meeting

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86834877769

Phone one-tap:
+16699009128,,86834877769# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,86834877769# US

Join via audio:
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Webinar ID: 868 3487 7769
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kea5ot5CTV

Monique Whitworth
D36 Secretary
209-896-6280

Please join us on Wednesday the 18th via the Zoom Platform us for our monthly District 36 meeting (link to join below).  We value your input and encourage you to share any comments, concerns, or questions you may have as members.  Your feedback is important to us!   

If you have business with the District please join the webinar.  Voting in the general and competition meetings will only be open to Active members on the Webinar and not those viewing the meeting on Facebook.

Our regular meeting will start at 7:00 pm. followed by a Competition Committee meeting where rule change proposals will be heard and voted on.  You may review all upcoming proposals here.  

If you just want to view the meeting you can watch it live on the D36 Members FB page where you can also make comments that will be monitored.

If you would like to learn more about our Legislative Action Office and what it’s doing for you see our Right To Ride page.

All Active member Clubs and Promoters are strongly encouraged to attend (see District 36 Operations Manual, page 4, paragraph 1.2.1 – meeting attendance).

For Your Review:  Past Meeting Minutes

—

Please join us on Wednesday the 16th via the Zoom Platform us for our monthly District 36 meeting (link to join below).  We value your input and encourage you to share any comments, concerns, or questions you may have as members.  Your feedback is important to us!   

If you have business with the District please join the webinar.  Voting in the general and competition meetings will only be open to Active members on the Webinar and not those viewing the meeting on Facebook.

Our regular meeting will start at 7:00 pm. followed by a Competition Committee meeting where rule change proposals will be heard and voted on.  You may review all upcoming proposals here.  

If you just want to view the meeting you can watch it live on the D36 Members FB page where you can also make comments that will be monitored.

If you would like to learn more about our Legislative Action Office and what it’s doing for you see our Right To Ride page.

All Active member Clubs and Promoters are strongly encouraged to attend (see District 36 Operations Manual, page 4, paragraph 1.2.1 – meeting attendance).

For Your Review:  Past Meeting Minutes

—
Monique Whitworth
D36 Secretary
209-896-6280