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House passes bill exempting some UTV riders from helmet requirement
Summary
The House approved House Bill 13 to remove a helmet requirement for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) that are equipped with full roll cages and seat belts; the measure passed 59-9 and was sent to the Senate.
The Idaho House passed House Bill 13 on Jan. 23, a bill that removes a helmet requirement for riders of utility terrain vehicles that have a full roll cage and seat belts. The bill passed the House 59 yeas, 9 nays, with 2 members absent or excused, and will be transmitted to the Senate.
Under the bill, the helmet requirement would not apply when a UTV is equipped with a full roll cage and seat belts. Representative (District 20), who presented the bill on the floor, summarized the change: “If you have a UTV that has a full roll cage and seat belts, there is no longer a requirement to wear helmets.”
Members questioned whether the bill requires seat-belt use or only that the equipment be present. Representative (District 20) acknowledged the legislation does not include a separate requirement that a seat belt be worn; it addresses the equipment standard. Representative (District 18) raised safety concerns for minors, saying she was “concerned about exposing minors to serious harm” if seat-belt use is not required and pointed out that helmets may still be the only protection in some rollover incidents.
Supporters argued the bill aligns legal requirements with vehicle construction and existing road-seatbelt law, while critics said it creates a safety gap for young riders when seat-belt use is not mandated by this bill. The sponsor noted that current law requires seat belts when driving on public roads, and that this bill pertains to UTV equipment and off-road choices.
The House adopted the bill by roll call and transmitted it to the Senate for consideration.
