Mayor Sarno Offers Written Testimony to State Judiciary Committee in Support of Illegal Dirt Bike Legislation Filed by State Representative Ramos

Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno submitted written testimony in support of pending legislation before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to help address the illegal dirt bike issue that has plagued the streets of Springfield.  House Bill 1842: An Act relative to the use of recreation vehicles in the City of Springfield is sponsored by state Representative Orlando Ramos in response to growing concerns from residents and businesses demanding action to remove these recreational vehicles from illegally operating on our public roads.

State Representatives Carlos Gonzalez, Bud Williams, Jacob Oliveira and Michael Finn, and State Senator Adam Gomez have all co-sponsored the legislation.

Initially filed in August 2020 by City Councilor/State Representative Orlando Ramos, the home rule petition was refiled again this legislative session.  It was approved by the City Council with the full support of Mayor Sarno.

Mayor Sarno states, “Again, I want to thank State Representative Orlando Ramos for filing and supporting this public safety and quality of life legislation.  Due to the constraints of the law, when our brave and dedicated men and women of our Springfield Police Department seize and confiscate these illegal bikes, if the original owner doesn’t come forward – which many don’t, the bikes legally have to go into an auction where they just end up back on our streets to terrorize our neighborhoods and residents again, and the cycle keeps repeating itself.  This pending legislation would give the City of Springfield the means and authority to truly help address this ongoing issue by petitioning the superior court to order forfeiture of these illegal recreation vehicles operating on our public roads.  Once approved by the court, the city can then move forward and destroy these recreational vehicles that are seized and confiscated while illegally operating on our public streets, thus eliminating the vehicle from further terrorizing our streets, residents and businesses.”

The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will be holding a virtual public hearing on this bill and other pending legislation on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.