Committee advances bill to allow limited operation of off-road vehicles on county roads with equipment, registration, insurance rules

A Senate committee voted to advance Senate Bill 296 after adopting an amendment that sets equipment, registration and insurance requirements for off‑road vehicles that would be allowed to operate on certain public roads in unincorporated areas.

Senator Kelly, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure would authorize limited operation of off‑road vehicles on public roads in unincorporated county areas and requires the vehicles to meet a list of safety modifications and to carry liability insurance. "Off road vehicles must be registered under article 5, chapter 12, and code Alabama," Kelly said, and described required equipment including brakes, headlights, taillights, a horn, seat belts, a roll bar, a spark arrestor and a windshield.

The amendment the committee adopted directs the Department of Revenue to create a certification form for dealers to certify that vehicles meet equipment requirements, requires local licensing officials to issue restricted-use tags upon application and payment of fees, and reiterates that vehicles used exclusively on private property or for agricultural purposes are exempt.

Supporters said the measure would recognize an existing practice, enhance safety and open tourism opportunities. John Culmore, CEO of Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative and an off‑road enthusiast, described regional trail systems and said allowing limited on‑road travel can connect trail segments without requiring owners to trailer vehicles. "These are forms of transportation," Culmore said, and described economic and recreational benefits from trail access in other states.

Opponents cautioned that county roads and many off‑road vehicles are not designed for each other. Eric Hill of the Association of County Engineers told the committee county roads are designed for passenger vehicles and said manufacturer manuals for several side‑by‑side vehicles warn against operation on paved surfaces. "County roads are not designed for off road vehicles," Hill said, adding concerns about shoulder damage, erosion and design data gaps if jurisdictions were required to reengineer roads.

Law enforcement witnesses also registered safety concerns. A representative for Alabama troopers noted past crashes involving off‑road vehicles and said many states that permit limited on‑road use do so with narrowly defined, local authorizations rather than a statewide carte blanche.

Committee action: Members adopted an amendment requiring certification, safety equipment, registration, restricted-use tags and liability insurance, then voted to give SB296 a favorable report by voice vote; Senator Williams seconded the motion to advance the bill.

What remains disputed: supporters emphasized tourism and voluntary revenue from registration fees, while engineers, sheriffs and troopers warned about vehicle stability at speed, knobby tires not intended for paved roads and potential increased costs to county infrastructure. Committee members said they would continue working with stakeholders on technical fixes before floor consideration.