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October 5, 2001
Grassroots activism in action
By Lana Robinson
Field Editor
Never underestimate the power of grassroots activism through your county Farm Bureau resolution process. Last fall, Wise County Farm Bureau leader Herb Williams proposed a resolution to allow the use of ATVs (all terrain vehicles/four wheelers) on public roadways for agricultural purposes. On September 1, 2001, the resulting law went into effect.
According to Ken Hodges, Texas Farm Bureau associate legislative director who followed the legislation, it all began when Williams and other producers, along with certain local law enforcement officials, recognized the need to address the necessity and legality of operating ATVs in roadways and bar ditches.
"While the officers realize agriculture producers' needs, officers are charged with the liability of upholding the law. What was needed was a change in law to allow officers to enforce the safety of roadways, while not punitively disrupting the work of producers," said Hodges.
Once Williams' resolution was approved by the voting members of Wise County Farm Bureau, it was forwarded to the State Resolution Committee, where the proposal was given careful consideration. After research and discussion, the committee added several safety provisions. Voting delegates at the Texas Farm Bureau Convention in Arlington last fall considered and approved the resolution and placed it in the TFB policy book. The policy guided the TFB legislative department as they sought legislation addressing this issue.
"Representative Phil King worked closely with Farm Bureau grassroots leaders in crafting and advancing this legislation (H.B. 651), and the late Senator Tom Haywood agreed to sponsor this bill in the Senate," Hodges noted. "No political opposition to this bill surfaced."
The bill really gained momentum, however, with the help of Gregg County Farm Bureau President Harold Stone, the owner of two ATVs.
"When I was at a Farm Bureau meeting down in Austin, somebody told me golfers had the right to ride golf carts on streets and that got my adrenaline flowing. I thought if a golfer can do that, why can't a farmer, who is out trying to make a living and seeing about his business, drive a four-wheeler on the highway? When I brought it up, I was told that we had policy already going on that, so I got behind it," said Stone, who testified before the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Natural Resources Committee on the need for this legislation.
Stone, along with Gregg County FB Director Margaret Griffin, followed up by meeting with Governor Rick Perry during his visit to Longview this spring, urging him to sign H.B. 651.
The bill allows an ATV to be driven on a public roadway for the express purpose of performing agriculture related work. Other than this allowance, it is not legal to operate an ATV on public roadways. It also specifies certain safety requirements, including the attachment of a pop-it flag and illumination of lights. A valid driver's license is needed to operate the ATV. Driving is limited to daytime. The distance is restricted to less than 25 miles.
