House File 358 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 358 BY SWEENEY A BILL FOR An Act relating to the definition of off-road utility vehicle 1 and the operation of off-road utility vehicles on public 2 areas and trails designated for all-terrain vehicle use. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2456HH (1) 84 dea/rj

H.F. 358 Section 1. Section 321I.1, subsection 16, Code 2011, is 1 amended to read as follows: 2 16. a. “Off-road utility vehicle” means a motorized 3 flotation-tire vehicle with not less than four and not more 4 than eight low-pressure tires that is limited in engine 5 displacement to less than one thousand five hundred cubic 6 centimeters and in total dry weight to not more than one 7 thousand eight hundred pounds and that has a seat that is of 8 bucket or bench design, not intended to be straddled by the 9 operator, and a steering wheel or control levers for control , 10 including but not limited to a mini dune buggy . 11 b. An owner of an off-road utility vehicle may register 12 or title an off-road utility vehicle in order to legally 13 operate the off-road vehicle on public ice, a designated 14 riding area, or a designated riding trail. The operator of an 15 off-road utility vehicle is subject to provisions governing 16 the operation of all-terrain vehicles in section 321.234A and 17 this chapter , but is exempt from the safety instruction and 18 certification program requirements of sections 321I.25 and 19 321I.26 . An operator of an off-road utility vehicle shall not 20 operate the vehicle on a designated riding area or designated 21 riding trail unless the department has posted signage 22 indicating the riding area or trail is open to the operation 23 of off-road utility vehicles. Off-road utility vehicles are 24 exempt from the dealer registration and titling requirements 25 of this chapter . A motorized vehicle that was previously 26 titled or is currently titled under chapter 321 shall not be 27 registered or operated as an off-road utility vehicle. 28 Sec. 2. Section 321I.14, subsection 4, Code 2011, is amended 29 by striking the subsection. 30 Sec. 3. Section 805.8B, subsection 2A, paragraph b, 31 subparagraph (3), Code 2011, is amended to read as follows: 32 (3) For operating violations under section 321I.14, 33 subsection 1 , paragraphs “a” , “e” , “f” , “g” , and “h” , and 34 subsections 2, 3 , 4, and 5, the scheduled fine is one hundred 35 -1- LSB 2456HH (1) 84 dea/rj 1/ 2

H.F. 358 dollars. 1 EXPLANATION 2 This bill amends the definition of “off-road utility 3 vehicle” to specify that the term includes vehicles known as 4 mini dune buggies. An off-road utility vehicle is defined as 5 a motorized flotation-tire vehicle with at least four but not 6 more than eight low-pressure tires that is limited in engine 7 displacement to less than 1,500 cubic centimeters and in total 8 dry weight to not more than 1,800 pounds and that has a seat 9 that is of bucket or bench design, not intended to be straddled 10 by the operator, and a steering wheel or control levers for 11 control. 12 Under current law, the registration of off-road utility 13 vehicles is required if the owner intends to use the vehicle 14 on public ice, designated riding areas, or designated riding 15 trails. However, off-road utility vehicles are only permitted 16 on those designated riding areas and trails where the 17 department of natural resources has posted signs indicating 18 that the riding area or trail is open to off-road utility 19 vehicles. 20 This bill removes the restriction on the operation of 21 off-road utility vehicles on certain designated riding areas or 22 trails, so that a registered off-road utility vehicle may be 23 operated on any public riding area or trail designated for the 24 operation of all-terrain vehicles. 25 -2- LSB 2456HH (1) 84 dea/rj 2/ 2