09/10/2026
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PAOHV Welcomes Bipartisan Introduction of House Bill 2765
Bill details: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2765
Find your legislator to contact in support: https://www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator
Proposed liability reform would help protect Pennsylvania riding areas, private landowners and the communities that depend on off-highway vehicle recreation.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — House Bill 2765 has officially been introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with bipartisan support from 25 legislators.
Introduced by Representative Paul Takac, a Democrat representing House District 82, and co-sponsored by Representative Jamie Barton, a Republican representing House District 124, HB 2765 proposes changes to Pennsylvania’s civil-liability framework for off-road vehicle riding areas.
The Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association (PAOHV) welcomes the introduction of HB 2765 and recognizes the cooperative work that has helped bring this issue before the General Assembly.
“PAOHV thanks the members of the legislature and SOAR for partnering with us and other members of Pennsylvania’s off-highway vehicle community on efforts like this,” PAOHV stated. “Addressing liability challenges is important to maintaining safe, responsible and sustainable opportunities for motorized recreation across the Commonwealth.”
The bill recognizes that off-highway vehicle recreation involves inherent risks while preserving accountability for intentional injury, willful misconduct, gross negligence and criminal conduct.
The introduced language would apply to more than traditional commercial ride parks. Its definition of an off-road vehicle riding-area operator includes private property owners, for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, associations, government entities, sponsors, landlords, tenants and others that own, lease or have operational responsibility for an off-road riding area.
This broader recognition is important because Pennsylvania’s riding opportunities are supported by a diverse network of landowners, clubs, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, volunteers, event organizers and businesses. Many riding areas and trail connections—particularly in rural communities—would not exist without private landowners willing to make property available for responsible recreation.
PAOHV also believes that maintaining a stable network of riding areas benefits businesses throughout the outdoor-recreation economy, including lodging providers, restaurants, fuel stations, repair shops, powersports dealers, campgrounds, convenience stores and other establishments serving riders and visitors. Although those businesses may not receive direct liability protection unless they meet the bill’s definition of a riding-area operator, they depend on continued access to legal and sustainable riding opportunities.
Insurance costs have become a significant concern for riding-area operators. According to the bill’s official co-sponsorship memorandum, one documented Pennsylvania operator experienced an increase in annual general-liability premiums from $21,430 in 2020 to $120,178 in 2026—an increase of approximately 461 percent.
When riding areas close or reduce operations, the effects extend beyond riders and operators. Communities can lose tourism spending, local jobs, business activity and opportunities to direct off-highway vehicle use toward legal, managed and responsible locations.
Protecting these opportunities is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is a question of maintaining recreation access, supporting private landowners and small businesses, strengthening rural economies and preserving places where current and future generations can ride responsibly.
HB 2765 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on September 8, 2026. Riders, landowners, clubs, businesses, municipalities and other interested residents can review the official bill information and current status.
Pennsylvanians who wish to share their perspective on HB 2765 can use the General Assembly’s Find My Legislator tool to identify and contact their state representative.
PAOHV looks forward to continuing its work with SOAR, lawmakers, landowners, riding-area operators, clubs, businesses and community partners to advance responsible off-highway vehicle recreation and protect long-term access throughout Pennsylvania.
About PAOHV
The Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association represents and connects individuals, clubs, businesses, landowners, organizations and other stakeholders supporting safe, responsible and sustainable off-highway vehicle recreation. PAOHV works to protect access, strengthen partnerships, educate riders and help Pennsylvania communities benefit from motorized recreation.
Media Contact
Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association
[email protected]
www.paohv.org
