Youth ATVs & Lead Content Addressed in 2012 Appropriations Bill

On June 23, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee held a mark-up on the proposed fiscal year 2012 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Contained in that bill is language championed by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) that would block the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from implementing the overly restrictive lead-content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 in regards to off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The Committee approved the bill to move to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for final passage.

The language, found in Section 630 of the bill, provides an opportunity for Congress to address how the CPSIA has prevented the sale of safe, age-appropriate ATVs based on unfounded fears of lead poisoning.  During the mark-up, Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), amended the section to include bicycles, as well.

The measure must now be voted on by the House.  OADA and OMDA will continue to monitor the progress of this legislation and will update our members as events unfold.