AMA News
July 2026
National and Regional News
Washington, D.C. — The White House has released a Presidential Memorandum — "Promoting the Freedom to Fix" — regarding conducting emission-related repairs that directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide guidance, increase clarity for aftermarket manufacturers, and allow individuals to repair their own vehicles in good faith.
This memo, along with the recent Federal Trade Commission settlement on agricultural right to repair, indicates the strong support the right to repair issue has at the federal and state level. The AMA will continue to monitor right-to-repair efforts and work to ensure motorcycles are included in any new guidance.
Also — The first public meeting of the revitalized Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC), which includes AMA Washington Representative Zach Farmer, will take place on July 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. More information regarding the inaugural meeting can be found at federalregister.gov/
The council was re-established to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on safety regulations to reduce crashes and fatalities. More information is available on the overview page of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council.
Also — President Donald Trump has signed orders that reduced the size of two national monuments in southern Utah, the Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The orders reduce the size of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from about 1.87 million acres to about 181,500 acres, and Bears Ears National monument from about 1.36 million acres to about 121,100 acres.
The two national monuments have oscillated in size through the previous several presidential administrations. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was initially created by President Bill Clinton in September 1996. Bears Ears National Monument was created by President Barack Obama in December 2016. The latest executive orders mark the second time Trump has made such an approval. In 2017, during his first term, the president also shrank the designations, an effort that was later reversed by the Biden administration.
State News
Columbus, Ohio — The AMA's specialty organization license plate is one step closer to reality for Ohio motorcyclists. After being packaged into Senate Bill 52 — a wide-ranging legislative vehicle that also designates a portion of state highway as the Congressman David Hobson Memorial Highway — this bill was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine (R) at the end of June.
The AMA is now working with the state on the plate's rollout and will keep members informed as that process moves forward. The specialty plate will be available for both cars and motorcycles, giving Ohio residents the opportunity to display their support for the AMA while on the road. More details will be available soon.
Needles, Calif. — The City of Needles recently held the official launch of the Needles Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Pilot Program with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 24. The pilot program represents a significant milestone for the community and establishes Needles as the only city in California with a designated OHMV route network connecting riders directly from the community to surrounding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) trail systems.
The program is designed to enhance recreational opportunities, support local businesses, attract tourism and strengthen the local economy. The city will continue to provide ongoing education, updates and safety information to support responsible use and compliance with program requirements. Visit the official Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Master Plan & Routes website for the most current information on this program.
Salt Lake City — The Summer OHV Recreation Grant cycle opens on July 15 and supports projects that enhance motorized recreation across Utah. Introduced during the 2018 General Session, Utah House Bill 143, sponsored by Rep. Michael Noel and Sen. Evan Vickers brought about crucial changes to the registration process and uniform statewide fees for ATVs and UTVs, certain motorcycles, and street-legal OHVs. These modifications paved the way for the OHV Program to establish an innovative funding source through grants.
The OHV Recreation Grant program offers six distinct funding categories. Applicants can apply to these categories twice per year. In addition, the program offers a year-round land acquisition category for purchasing land, rights-of-way, easements and other related property interests. To support the growth and maintenance of the OHV program, an annual allocation of $3.5 million from OHV registration funds is designated to the Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) OHV Program.
Originally called the Fiscal Incentive Grant, OHVR consisted of five funding categories. In 2022, DOR extended its support to include funding for snowmobiles, creating the sixth eligible funding category. In 2023, the DOR introduced the Year-Round OHV Land Acquisition Grant.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, state and federal agencies and Utah-based nonprofit OHV organizations. Applications for the Summer cycle will be accepted through Aug. 31. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the OHV Recreation Grant website for more details.
AMA News
Pickerington, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is deeply saddened by the passing of AMA Assistant Track Racing Manager Dan Bromley, who passed away Saturday, June 27, following a racing incident that took place during the American Flat Track Lima Half-Mile II, in Lima, Ohio. Dan was a valued and beloved member of the AMA team and a talented and passionate flat track racer.
As Assistant Track Racing Manager, he brought dedication and expertise to the job. On the track, he embodied the spirit that defines flat track racing — grit, skill and an unshakable love for two wheels. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, the racing community and all who had the privilege of knowing him. The AMA extends its heartfelt condolences to the Bromley family during this incredibly difficult time.
Also — For the first time in the event’s history, the 2026 AMA Road Race Grand Championship will run alongside Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, taking place at the iconic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on Saturday, July 25. With racing across a variety of classes, the AMA Road Race Grand Championship will display the most elite amateur talent in the country.
With multiple AMA national championships on the line, several special awards will also be earned by racers throughout the day. Most notably, the Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award will be awarded to the amateur racer that showcases the necessary skill and professionalism to excel at the highest level of the sport. The AMA will also recognize the AMA Amateur Road Racer of the Year and the AMA Vet/Senior Road Racer of the Year during the event. More details regarding the AMA Road Race Grand Championship can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/
Also — Kenda Tire will serve as the official camping sponsor of 2026 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution, which will run July 24-26 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Established in 1962, Kenda Tire is one of the world’s most prominent tire manufacturers. Kenda Tire has supported AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for years and will continue to do so in 2026. To learn more about Kenda Tire, visit kendatire.com/en-us/.
On-site camping is a significant piece of the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days experience, with near-endless excitement taking place on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course grounds each day. Tickets and camping passes for the three-day event are still available at midohio.com/tickets-m/
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the premier motorcycle event of the summer, with plenty of excitement planned for vintage enthusiasts at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. With vintage racing across a number of disciplines, demo rides from some of motorcycling’s most noteworthy brands, vendor displays, North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, and much more, VMD has everything a vintage enthusiast could ask for.
Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution serves as the primary fundraiser for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Stay up-to-date on the latest AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days news by visiting vintagemotorcycledays
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AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events in the United States and around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and editorial contributions can be sent to the editorial department at submissions@ama-cycle.org.
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