SB 347 - This act defines the term "utility vehicle" for the purposes of the motor vehicle chapters as any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway purposes whichis 63 inches or less in width, has an unladen dry weight of 1,850 pounds or less, travels on four or six wheels, and is used primarily for landscaping, lawn care, or maintenance purposes.
Under the act, a utility vehicle shall not be operated upon the highways of this state except:
(1) Governmental owned and operated utility vehicles for official use;
(2) Utility vehicles operated for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premise purposes between the official sunrise and sunset;
(3) Utility vehicles operated occasionally by handicapped persons for short distances only on the state secondary roads between the hours of sunrise and sunset;
(4) Utility vehicles which have been issued special permits by a city to be used on highways within the city limits by licensed drivers. The city may impose a $15 fee for such permit; and
(5) Utility vehicles which have been issued special permits by a county to be used on highways within the county limits by licensed drivers. The county may impose a $15 fee for the permit.
No person shall operate a utility vehicle:
(1) In a careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another;
(2) While under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance; or
(3) Without a securely fastened safety helmet if the operator or rider is under the age of 18.
No person shall operate a utility vehicle within any stream or river except by an operator who owns the property or has permission to be on the property on which the waterway flows through or when fording a low-water crossing.
A person operating a utility vehicle on a highway shall have a valid operator's or chauffeur's license. The vehicle shall not be operated at a speed of more than 30 miles per hour on a highway.
No operator of a utility vehicle shall carry a passenger, except for agricultural purposes, unless the seat of the utility vehicle is designed to carry more than one passenger.
This act is substantially similar to HB 397 (2007).
STEPHEN WITTE