Committee hears bill to allow mini trucks on county and municipal roads; Department of Revenue requests definitional tweak

Representative Clifton presented House Bill 308 as a hearing-only measure to allow small "mini trucks" under 4,000 pounds on certain local roads, saying the change would help farmers and businesses move around sites without impeding traffic. "This bill allows for these smaller miniature trucks under 4,000 pounds to be allowed on the road," Clifton told the committee.

Members asked whether the vehicles are similar to mopeds or golf carts, how fast they travel and where they would be allowed. Clifton described them as four-wheel vehicles, comparable to a "bigger golf cart," and said the bill would limit their use to county and municipal roads with speed limits (not state highways except for brief crossings) and require registration and tags.

The Department of Revenue asked for a definitional tweak to the bill to clarify eligibility and registration language; Clifton said he expected to work with the department to refine the definition. Committee members discussed common uses (agricultural work, moving parts on shop sites) and comparisons to prior legislation that allowed multipurpose off-road vehicles on roads under limited conditions.

No vote was taken; Representative Clifton said he would continue work with revenue officials and bring the bill back for further consideration.