Committee advances bill exempting some UTV passengers from helmet requirement

The House Transportation and Defense Committee on an unspecified date advanced House Bill 13, a measure that would exempt occupants of certain utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) from the state's helmet requirement if the vehicle has a full roll cage and seat belts. The committee voted to send the bill to the full House with a do-pass recommendation.

Representative Joe Palmer, chair of the committee and Republican from District 20 in Meridian, told members the change mirrors an earlier exemption given to a vehicle type called the “Auto Car” and would apply to UTVs that are larger than typical four-wheelers and commonly used on trails and forest roads. "If they have a full roll cage and seat belts, we're gonna allow people to not wear helmets in them," Palmer said. He added that many UTVs are enclosed or have a full roll cage and that the bill targets those vehicles.

Palmer said the request grew out of reports that law enforcement has issued tickets to children riding in rear seats of UTVs for not wearing helmets. "Recently I've been hearing where the police have been writing tickets for having kids in the back seats of them without helmets," he said, describing that enforcement as a motivating factor for the change. Palmer and other supporters said the exemption would align helmet rules for UTV passengers with other vehicles such as cars and jeeps when comparable occupant restraints are present.

Representative Clough asked whether the term "UTV" is defined clearly enough for law enforcement to distinguish the vehicles from ATVs, motorcycles and other categories. Palmer replied the various vehicle types and definitions "are all listed in legislation." The committee did not amend the bill during discussion.

Representative Munks moved that the committee send House Bill 13 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. With no public testimony for or against and no further discussion recorded in the transcript, the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from Jan. 16: Motion to approve made by Representative Bahanka; approved by voice vote. Exact roll-call counts were not recorded in the transcript.

- House Bill 13 — Send to House floor with a do-pass recommendation: Moved by Representative Munks; approved by voice vote. Exact roll-call counts were not recorded in the transcript.

The committee also heard scheduling announcements: a Mountain Home Air Force Base briefing is planned for Wednesday, and a summer tour of military facilities (including Mountain Home Air Force Base) was discussed by committee leadership. The committee adjourned with no further business recorded.