OPRD release - SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is creating a rulemaking advisory committee to discuss possible changes to sound and equipment standards to All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use on public lands in Oregon.  House Bill 2232 was signed on March 19, 2025 and became effective upon passage. The bill transfers rulemaking responsibility for ATV safety equipment and noise emissions from Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).  State parks has temporarily adopted ODOT and DEQ’s rules for 180 days under ORS 183.335(5)(a). OPRD is in the process of reviewing the previous rules and developing permanent rules.  The current rules on noise emissions vary by type of vehicle. Requests have been made for a reduced sound limit in Oregon.  Many states use 96 dBA (decibels measured using the A-weighting scale) tested at 20 inches from the exhaust at a 45-degree angle at half RPM (revolutions per minute).  The proposed changes would update definitions for ATVs and look at other safety equipment standards. The committee will meet online 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025 to review and discuss the proposed rule changes. The meetings are open to the public and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams  The meeting agenda will include discussions to review sound levels and flag requirements to be consistent with other states. Committee members, appointed by OPRD, include individuals from around the state who are members of the off-road community, law enforcement, land managers and impacted neighbors.  After the committee reviews the proposed changes and staff make updates based on feedback and recommendations, the proposed rule will be open for public comment in August 2025. More information about this rulemaking is available on the OPRD website:  https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx  Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Ian Caldwell, at least three days in advance of a meeting at [email protected]