Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, yesterday introduced legislation in the U.S. House to exempt All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Motorcycles from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s burdensome and overreaching anti-lead requirements.  Distributors of off-road vehicles that are manufactured and marketed exclusively for kids under the age of twelve have been forced to remove these products from their showrooms.  This includes ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and snowmobiles.

“We shouldn’t be asking Montana businesses to bite the bullet because of a bureaucratic screw up here in Washington, D.C.,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “You can appreciate Montana from a road, but to really experience it, you’ve got to go off-road.  That’s something that all Montanans regardless of age should have the opportunity to do.”

On March 13, Rehberg also sent a letter to the Acting Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission requesting a regulatory fix to this clear misinterpretation of Congressional Intent.  In his letter, he expressed frustration that the regulatory process had become uncertain and has resulted in economic hardship for small businesses.

Although it was reported that a similar bill was introduced in the Senate yesterday, there is no record of such a bill being filed by any Senator.

“I’m glad we’re all on the same page here,” said Rehberg.  “It’s great to hear that the Senate plans to introduce similar legislation later this week.  The more we can work together, the better chance we have of getting this to the President’s desk for a signature.”