2026 Annual Meeting

 Our annual meeting was held on March 21st, 2026 at Lakeshore College in Cleveland, Wisconsin. The meeting recording and meeting notes are as follows:

Summary

Financial Report and Elections

The financial report, detailing that the Ride Safe event expenses were covered by designated donations kept separate from state association funds, was accepted via a carried motion. Board election results confirmed the return of the Vice President, Secretary, and two advisors to their roles.

DNR Safety and Program Updates

The DNR reported on the success of the safety instructor program, with over 2,500 students taught in person, and is updating instructor lesson plans to meet ADA accessibility requirements by the end of April. Law enforcement conducted a focused patrol over Labor Day weekend, resulting in 81 citations and over 1,600 operator contacts.

Trail Funding and Legislation

The Off-Road Vehicle Council is facing a funding challenge due to $5 million in project requests against only $3 million available, and is exploring legislative options to increase program funding, potentially by doubling the annual $15 registration fee. Act 114 was a major legislative success that clarified the operation of 'reciprocity vehicles,' created essential definitions for patrol ATVs/UTVs, and increased the strength of the law against negligent operation.

• Designated Ride Safe Event Donations and Finances: Randy Harden provided a summary of the financial report, highlighting that expenses for the Ride Safe event were covered by designated donations, which were kept separate from the state association finances. Randy Harden specifically recognized the Fox River Wheelers and the Badger ATV Club for $1,000 donations each, the New London ATV Club for $500, Drummond Dirt and Snowjacks for $200, and later, the Southern Marinette County Club and the White Lake Club for additional $500 donations (00:54:05). A motion to accept the financial report was made by Jerry Heiky and seconded by Donna Olsen, and the motion carried (00:55:24).
• Board Election Results: Randy Harden announced the results of the staggered board member elections, confirming that the Vice President, Secretary Mike Bees, incumbent advisor Lee Van Zeland, and advisor Jeff Jordheim, were voted back into their roles (00:55:24). Adam Harden was introduced as a new officer, and the five individuals voted in during this election cycle, along with the four not up for election this cycle (Randy Harden, Greg, Hank, and Tim), constitute the leadership team (00:56:45).
• DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administration Update: Jake Holsclaw, the Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator for the Wisconsin DNR, reported on the off-highway vehicle focus, which includes law enforcement and safety education. The DNR is planning to release its annual report for recreational vehicles, covering 2025, which will summarize the previous year and is expected to be available in early April (00:58:01). This report contains useful data, graphs, and charts for use in safety classes and legislative discussions (00:59:01).
• Ice Safety and Winter Activity: The past winter was relatively safe concerning ice conditions, which contrasted with the beginning of 2025 when five UTVs went through the ice, resulting in fatalities. The DNR focused heavily on ice safety messaging, particularly concerning UTVs due to their added weight, and so far this year, there have not been any related incidents (00:59:01).
• Safety Instructor Program Success and Updates: Jake Holsclaw thanked the instructors for their hard work, noting that over 350 ATV instructors around the state taught more than 2,500 students in person (01:00:04). The DNR is working to update instructor lesson plans to meet ADA accessibility requirements, which must be completed by the end of April. These lesson plans will shift to a narrative format to ensure accessibility, though the content itself is not immediately changing (01:01:05).
• DNR Program Staffing and Appreciation Events: A new assistant administrator, Andy Drea, has been hired but is currently on medical leave; during their absence, individuals should contact Jake Holsclaw. Additionally, Ryan Serwey, a valuable asset to the team, has taken a promotion on the environmental side of the agency (01:02:15). The outdoor skills trainers will host several instructor appreciation events, starting in April and going into the fall, with the first two scheduled for April 15th in Marinette County and May 11th (01:03:13).
• Safety Enhancement Efforts and Enforcement Statistics: Law enforcement conducted a focused, saturated patrol effort around Labor Day weekend, resulting in 81 citations and over 1,600 operator contacts across more than 3,000 miles of trail (01:04:58). Law enforcement efforts are significant, with 38 sheriff's departments participating in the DNR grant program, logging over 25,000 hours of combined patrol effort, which is equivalent to approximately 12 full-time law enforcement positions (01:06:02).
• Safety Messaging, Partnerships, and Fatalities: The DNR utilized partnerships for safety outreach, including short 15-second clips at Q
• KwikTrip gas pumps and collaborations with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Ride Safe Foundation (01:06:02). Unfortunately, there were 41 fatalities resulting from 39 crashes last year, with UTV crashes now exceeding ATV crashes, likely due to their increasing popularity (01:07:58). Notably, the majority of fatalities occurred among operators who were not wearing helmets or seat belts, and only two of the 41 fatalities had completed a safety class (01:08:57).
• Future Safety Campaigns and Administration Transition: Jake Holsclaw indicated that the DNR will run two safety campaigns this year, starting in June and concluding during the Labor Day weekend, with safety messaging starting around the middle of May to precede Memorial Day weekend (01:07:58) (01:10:04). Additionally, Jake Holsclaw mentioned that their boss, April Dombrowski, the bureau director for recreational safety and outdoor skills, will be retiring on April 1st (01:15:04).
• Proposed Mandatory Safety Course Legislation: A member suggested a ATV/UTV registration safety class and operator license, regardless of age or skill level (01:10:58). Jake Holsclaw agreed that this is a great suggestion, noting the high average age of operators involved in fatal and injurious crashes (high 40s to 50s) who are often grandfathered out of mandatory training (01:12:07). Randy Harden plans to address this proposal with representatives to introduce the idea or concept for discussion and potential future legislation in Wisconsin (01:13:00).
• UTV Training Expansion and Leadership Changes: In response to a question, Jake Holsclaw confirmed that they plan to increase the UTV material within the ATV safety program's instructor lesson plans and online coursework due to the rising popularity and number of UTVs (01:14:04). Randy Harden affirmed the strong working relationship with Jake Holsclaw and the DNR (01:15:04).
• Off-Road Vehicle Trail Grant Program Overview: Jillian Steffes provided an overview of the motorized recreation trail aids program, which began in the 1980s and uses registration and trail pass revenue to fund trail maintenance, development, and rehabilitation. The program awards grants to local government units, such as counties, with maintenance funds up to $1,000 per mile for summer trails. The annual grant cycle deadline for applications is April 15th (01:17:12).
• Program Revenue and Financial Allocation: Revenue streams for the program are growing annually, totaling $11.3 million last year, with registrations accounting for 65%, out-of-state trail passes for 8%, and gas tax revenue for 27%. UTVs continue to increase their share of registered vehicles each year. Funds are allocated to maintenance ($3.3 million), rehabilitation/development ($2.9 million), DNR state trails ($0.5 million), law enforcement/safety ($2.8 million), aid to county law enforcement ($1.3 million), and administration ($1.6 million) (01:18:34).
• Road Route Funding and Grant Application Process: While the grant program is specifically for off-road trails, a formula based on gas tax revenue allocates $3.6 million to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for road maintenance, with $3 million going to the DNR for trails. Clubs interested in securing trail funding should work collaboratively with a local government unit, such as a county, to apply for grants by the April 15th deadline. Applications are reviewed over several months before being presented to the Governor's Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Council for funding recommendations (01:19:58).
• Regional Coordination and Upcoming Meetings: Randy Harden, who handles the northeast region, explained that regional coordinators cover specific areas but can be drawn into issues across the state (01:23:28). The focus is shifting toward regional meetings, which address area-specific issues and allow for input. The next regional meeting is scheduled for August 8th, hosted by the Dusty Trails ATV Club (01:24:37).
• Strategic Business Plan and Ride Safe Program: The state association operates under a six-point strategic plan, maintaining alignment with the DNR, Department of Tourism, and the Office of Outdoor Recreation. The Ride Safe program, often spearheaded by Rob, focuses on youth education about ATV/UTV safety, particularly targeting children who use friends' or relatives' machines (01:27:48). The goal is to instill five core safety topics, recognizing that most youth who ride are exposed through others (01:29:04).
• Culture Change and Fatalities Among Older Riders: Randy Harden noted a discrepancy: while youth are educated on safety, many fatalities occur among older riders, suggesting that the safety lessons taught in schools are often undermined by adults, including grandparents and parents (01:29:04). Fatalities often involve speed and are alcohol-related; the association hopes to shift the culture through their outreach (01:30:21). A workshop with Curt, an expert in drunk driving safety goggles, is scheduled for the Let's Ride Expo to address changing driving culture (01:31:23).
• Road Routes and Legislative Initiatives (Reciprocity Vehicle Bill): The growth of road routes is acknowledged as necessary to connect trails, and this issue will be discussed further at the Let's Ride Expo (01:31:23). A major legislative success was fixing the issue of "reciprocity vehicles," primarily from South Dakota and Montana, which were registered as "autocycle motorcycles" and given license plates, allowing them to bypass local ordinances and drive on prohibited routes (01:32:26). Following a series of court challenges, legislation was passed to make it "absolutely crystal clear" that these registrations do not permit non-compliant operation in Wisconsin (01:35:00).
• Non-Resident Trail Pass and Omnibus Bill Process: The same bill that addressed reciprocity vehicles also fixed a statutory oversight, ensuring the non-resident trail pass applies to road routes, not just trail systems (01:36:02). The legislative effort (the "omnibus bill," later Act 114) was a complex process led by a committee that included Hank Wozniel, who managed the drafts (01:37:04) (01:39:08). This major bill was signed by the governor after the association received assurance that the bill would be enacted before their meeting (01:40:07).
• Act 114 Provisions: Law Enforcement and Vehicle Definitions: Act 114 creates essential definitions for "patrol ATVs," "patrol UTVs," and other recreational vehicles used for law enforcement and emergency medical responses, granting law enforcement the same protections they have in their squad cars (01:41:10) (01:50:08). The bill also modified the definition of a UTV to require two tail lights and stipulated that ATVs and UTVs must be equipped with a functioning brake and brake light (01:42:19).
• Act 114 Provisions: Bridge Regulations and Vehicle Width: A significant change in Act 114 removes the 1,000-foot distance limitation for making a bridge on a state highway a route, allowing local and county jurisdictions to create routes on bridges of any length as long as they pass parallel ordinances (01:43:24). The new law also addresses bridge maintenance when a retired highway bridge is converted for recreational use, requiring it to meet DOT inspection and maintenance laws (01:44:31). Furthermore, the law clarifies that the 65-inch maximum width applies regardless of who modified the vehicle or how it was acquired (01:45:39).
• Act 114 Provisions: Negligent Operation and Triple Damages: Act 114 strengthened the law against negligent operation, changing the language to prohibit operating an ATV or UTV in any "careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to impair the life, person, or property of another" (01:46:38). The bill added a provision for triple damages for environmental or property damages to trails and trailheads, which provides leverage for organizations to seek compensation without going to court (01:47:50) (01:50:08).
• Act 114 Provisions: Duty to Render Aid and Emergency Use: The new law creates a duty to render aid when an operator is involved in an accident, which previously only applied to snowmobiles, adding consequences for hit-and-run incidents (01:47:50). Act 114 also allows ATVs and UTVs to be used on roadways for search and rescue or other emergency events, provided that the local jurisdiction calls an official emergency (01:48:43).
• Review of Complaints and Department of Natural Resources Consistency Efforts: The discussion began by addressing common complaints received by members and the need for tools to manage their programs. There was an acknowledgment of Jeff's valuable internal information regarding roadwork in their town. Jake will report in May on upcoming changes to administrative rules by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which are designed to create consistency between ATV and UTV regulations, as current statutes are often vague (01:53:34). These changes will cover items such as window tinting, among others (01:55:00).
• Safety and Youth Engagement Initiatives: The focus shifted to safety and youth programs, which are one of the three main categories of activity for the Southeast Vice President. These initiatives involve partnerships with the Ride Safe Foundation, DNR classes, ASI, and ROVA. A significant upcoming event is the Ride Safe event on May 12th and 13th in Dodgeville, which will require "tons of volunteers," including instructors and trail ambassadors, to staff six ATV and two UTV stations for an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 children (01:55:00).
• Upcoming Youth and Family Events: Several other large youth engagement events were mentioned, including the Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo on May 6th and 7th at McKenzie Center, expecting 4,000 to 5,000 children and needing some volunteers. Additional smaller events include a "Slide into Safety" event in La Crosse, welcome centers (one planned for the Cheese Country Trail), the regional meeting on July 25th in Adams County, and the Vernon County night out on August 4th, which draws 3,500 to 4,500 families (01:56:16). The safety riding message is focused on getting children outside and off tablets, with a calculated 11,850 children having been reached in individual events last year (01:57:33).
• Engagement with Local Clubs and Organizations: Rob McConnell detailed their involvement with various organizations, which helps them stay connected with different clubs. They attend monthly meetings of the Joint County ATV Council, which comprises 12 clubs, and the Adams County organization, which has five clubs (01:58:46). They also engage with the Tri County Trail Commission, an organization overseeing the Tri County/Cheese Country Trail that involves various clubs and trail administrators (02:00:02).
• Off-Road Vehicle Council Funding Challenges: The discussion moved to trail and route issues, noting that Rob chairs the off-road vehicle council, which oversees funding for projects. The council typically has $3 million to spend but receives approximately $5 million in project requests, leading to a need for legislative action to infuse more money into the ATV UTV program (02:01:11). Different ideas are being explored to increase funding while the legislature is out of session, in preparation for its return (02:02:10).
• Bridge Safety Crisis on the Cheese Country Trail: A major issue is the bridge situation on the Cheese Country Trail, where recent inspections revealed 23 troubled bridges and 11 immediate closures, out of a total of 67 or 69 bridges on the trail. The county, clubs, and associated parties are working on reroutes, remapping, and establishing permanent routes via ordinances, which is expected to be costly, particularly given one bridge is 380 feet long (02:02:10). The current crisis is not unique, as the snowmobile and ATV trail system has about 27,000 bridges, many of which are old and need expensive repair or replacement (02:03:15).
• Funding Priorities for Trail Infrastructure: The off-road vehicle council, as chaired by the speaker (Rob), will prioritize "must-have" items, such as bridge repairs, over "nice things," like addressing rough trails or potholes, for the next few years (02:04:23). The maximum weight standard for a bridge funded by the council is 24,000 pounds, but the primary cause of damage is heavy non-trail vehicles, such as trail groomers, dump trucks, and 18-wheel grain trucks weighing 100,000 pounds, driving over the bridges (02:05:21). Local entities like the county board are electing to build bridges to the 24,000-pound standard rather than the 120,000-pound railroad standards, despite prior agreements, due to the prohibitive cost (02:06:35).
• Addressing Legislative and Registration Fee Issues: The issue of funding needs to be addressed with increased urgency, as the program will be billions of dollars short this cycle. The current annual registration fee of $15, which was set when ATVs and UTVs cost much less, could potentially be doubled to $30 a year to add millions of dollars to the program (02:09:01). Another challenge is that they have millions of dollars in funds, but lawmakers need to increase the spending authority (02:10:09).
• ATV UTV Trail Pass Comparison with Snowmobiles: There was a discussion distinguishing the ATV UTV trail pass from the snowmobile trail pass, noting that the ATV UTV pass is primarily for out-of-state visitors and is available as an annual or 5-day option (02:12:11). The ATV UTV trail pass is not tied to membership status like the snowmobile pass is, although it was noted that the snowmobile system has recently experienced complications (02:13:05). The speaker acknowledged that the snowmobile funding effort, though stalled, has provided valuable lessons for the ATV UTV program (02:11:13) (02:16:09).
• Northwest Region Updates and Upcoming Events: Jeff and Greg, the Northwest Region representatives reported that their trails are in very good shape due to dedicated volunteers and established clubs, with some approaching 40 to 50 years of operation (02:18:52). Upcoming events include a season kickoff hosted by the Rolling Hills club on April 18th in Spooner and another kickoff by the North Country Riders that same evening in Hayward (02:20:11). The Northwest regional meeting will be held on August 22nd, hosted by the Dusty Trail Finders ATV Club in Barron County (02:21:44).
• Development of New Club Management Software and Tools: Adam and Gary are building a set of free, web-based tools for clubs to reduce the burden of daily administrative upkeep, including membership management and event planning (02:24:10). This software will integrate a mapping program with VV Mapping to allow for easy trail maintenance planning and live closure updates for users. Early testing of the new software will involve their own membership and the White Lakes Club (02:25:33).
• Trail Ambassador Program and Search and Rescue Team Activity: The trail ambassador program reported having just under 100 ambassadors who logged nearly 3,000 hours of volunteer service last year. They are transitioning to a new online reporting and training system that allows for easier GPS tracking (02:26:38). A small group of trail ambassadors forms a search and rescue team (SARTC) that has recently achieved Level Three certification and works with the Wisconsin Emergency Management, helping with missions like lost person searches and FEMA assessments after the Milwaukee floods (02:27:42).
• Upcoming Training and Outreach Activities: The search and rescue team will participate in a multi-state wide area search training with National Guard and Air Force units in the Fort McCoy area in August (02:29:40). The trail ambassador program is also involved for the fourth year in the Mammoth March, a national organization conducting non-motorized 20- and 30-mile hikes in the Northern Kettle Marine Forest, where the ambassadors serve as rescue teams (02:30:45). This event provides a positive image for the sport, especially when assisting participants dealing with heat stroke or injuries (02:31:46).
• Dealership Communication Strategy via Digital Kiosks: The organization is addressing a communication gap at dealerships by developing digital kiosks that will offer interactive trail maps, safety information, and links to the DNR (02:31:46). These kiosks will enable people to join clubs and manage memberships right from the dealership, and they will be piloted at TWL stores in Oshkosh and Sheboygan (02:32:47). The software will also provide access to all 1,700+ scanned local and county ordinances, helping users identify inconsistent or outdated stipulations regarding differing ordinance rules, driver's licenses, and age restrictions (02:33:45), etc.
• Let's Ride Expo Updates and Objectives: Kasey, the chair of the Let's Ride Expo, was recognized for her extensive planning efforts (02:36:00). The expo's main goal is to bring all motorized sports together and function as a consumer show that also introduces attendees to local clubs and the benefits of membership (02:37:12). The expo will feature demo rides with manufacturers like Polaris and Can-Am in a covered arena (02:38:13).
• Expo Promotion and Multi-Organizational Collaboration: The expo received a $20,000 JEM grant from the Dept of Tourism for advertising in the Fox Valley, Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Madison areas (02:38:13). The event is a collaborative effort between multiple organizations, including AWSC, the Coalition of Wisconsin Four Wheel Drives, and WOHMA, and will feature a new rider seminar with experts like Greg Olson and Tim Rhorer (02:39:10). The expo is kept free for attendees, relying on silent auctions and other fundraising efforts to cover costs (02:41:17).
• Trail Grooming Rates and Funding Shortfalls: When asked about the possibility of increasing hourly rates for trail grooming, the speaker stated that this is unlikely given the current financial situation and the need to keep rates consistent with snowmobile grooming (02:42:16). The organization is aware of the pressures from towns dealing with increased traffic and is developing a legislative strategy that includes raising fees, gas taxes, and possibly establishing segregated accounts for bridges and roads, alongside potential increases for grooming rates (02:43:29). The focus remains on addressing must-have repairs first, such as bridges, before addressing the increasing cost of grooming (02:44:39).
• Debate on UTV Weight Increase and Organizational Stance: The issue of the UTV weight increase to 3,500 pounds was raised, confirming that the organization did not introduce the bill and was in a difficult position due to support from influential dealers and the bill's high-ranking sponsors (02:11:13) (02:47:13). The organization chose not to oppose the bill to avoid jeopardizing other legislative efforts, emphasizing that their focus is on the sport rather than aligning with specific political parties (02:48:22).
• Ride Safe Volunteer Sign-up and Final Remarks: The discussion concluded with confirmation that a much easier volunteer sign-up for the Ride Safe event will be made available on the trail ambassador site, and that they are in need of youth-sized ATVs for the event (02:50:11). Mike Biese emphasized that the organization leans toward supporting the sport and must work with whichever political entity is in charge (02:49:17).
• Small ATV Requirement for Ride Safe Events: Rob McConnell is having difficulty securing the 12 small ATVs needed for six stations at the Ride Safe events, requiring two ATVs per station, and needs assistance in sourcing them (02:52:37). Keith Stoney offered one small machine, a 125, specifically for the Dodgeville event, which is the one Rob needs ATVs for (02:53:32). The required ATVs are the smaller models, ranging from 70cc up to 200cc (02:54:21).
• ATV Donation Confirmation Process: Randy Harden asked that those who can bring an ATV send an email so they can keep an accurate count, preferring to have too many rather than not enough (02:53:32). Paul Jr. mentioned they could bring their 250 machine again, but Rob confirmed they are specifically looking for machines between 100cc and 200cc for the younger riders. Keith Stoney confirmed they had already registered their machine online for the Dodgeville event (02:54:21).
• Meeting Conclusion: Randy Harden asked for a motion to conclude the meeting. Brenda Brindley offered a motion to conclude, and Adam Harden seconded it, followed by a voice vote in favor of adjournment. The meeting participants were thanked and wished a safe drive home (02:54:21).