State Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) welcomed UTV dealers from across New York State to the state Capitol Building Tuesday in Albany, and hosted a display of the popular side-by-side vehicles.

Ritchie’s concern is that those vehicles that are now restricted in the state, and her invitation to the dealers is part of an effort to increase awareness of the importance of outdoor riders to the upstate economy and build support for her legislation overturning the ban.

“For years, sportsmen and other New Yorkers who love the outdoors have been missing out on the many benefits of allowing UTVs to be registered—including registration revenue, sales tax and an economic boost from outdoors enthusiasts who are looking to enjoy our state’s many trails that are perfect for UTV use,” said Ritchie.

“While every other state allows the increasingly popular side-by-side models, New York is clinging to outdated regulations that prevent their use,” Ritchie said.

More than 3,000 UTV enthusiasts have signed an online petition at www.ritchie.nysenate.gov calling on the Assembly to pass UTV legislation. The Senate has passed the bill three years in a row, but the Assembly has failed to act, Ritchie said.

Ritchie said that according to dealers in other states, side-by-side models now account for more than 40 percent of sales. The senator believes the state is losing out on significant registration revenue, taxes from sales, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in increased tourism spending by those who utilize UTVs.

Current state law only allows ATVs up to 1,000 pounds to be registered for use in New York. That limit excludes virtually all side-by-side models, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with families and seniors.