May 19, 2025
Mr. Bost introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to designate and maintain at least 20 percent of the total number of trails in the Shawnee National Forest for trail riding by covered vehicles, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Shawnee Trail Riders Attaining Individuals Liberties Act
or the Shawnee TRAILS Act
.
Sec. 2. Trail riding in Shawnee National Forest
(a) In general
The Secretary shall designate and maintain at least 20 percent of the total number of trails in the Shawnee National Forest for recreational use by covered vehicles, including trail riding.
(b) Managing and monitoring
The Secretary shall manage and monitor the trails required to be designated and maintained under subsection (a) to assess whether such trails are appropriately maintained—
(1)
to provide for recreational use, including trail riding;
(2)
to minimize any adverse impacts to natural resources; and
(3)
to ensure that at least one trail remains open at all times for the recreational use, including trail riding, of covered vehicles.
(c) Paved roads
The Secretary may not prohibit the use of covered vehicles on paved roads within the Shawnee National Forest.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Secretary
The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(2) Covered vehicles
The term covered vehicles
means—
(A)
electric bicycles (e-bikes); and
(B)
off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road vehicles (ORVs).