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House debates ATV access bill; amendment adds operator‑license requirement, then bill circled
Summary
Lawmakers debated HB41 (vehicles/local ordinances) and a floor amendment that would require an operator's license to drive off‑highway vehicles on highways. Supporters framed it as a safety measure to prevent young children on streets; opponents warned it could block trail connections. The House ultimately circled the bill for further work.
Members discussed House Bill 41, which would allow municipalities to designate specific highways or streets as open to off‑highway vehicles when those routes provide access to recreational trails. The measure drew a floor amendment from Representative Murray to require a valid motor‑vehicle operator's license for any operator using those designated highways.
Representative Murray explained the amendment as a safety measure aimed at preventing very young, inexperienced drivers from operating off‑highway vehicles on streets: the amendment "would not allow anyone who does not have a valid driver's license to be on those designated highways... eliminate the possibility of having 8 year old children buzzing down the highway" without proper licensing.
Opponents warned the license requirement could defeat the bill's purpose in rural trail networks. Representative Steiler noted that some trail connections require non‑licensed youth and families to traverse short municipal streets to reach continuous trails; imposing a license requirement could break those routes. Representative Murray described the amendment as "friendly" but members questioned practical impacts on rural trail use and existing youth recreational licensure programs.
Procedural and drafting changes were discussed on the floor (parliamentary concerns and proposed drafting‑style edits). After discussion and substitute language to clarify statute citations and youth exceptions, the House put the bill on the circle to allow sponsors and staff to work out remaining differences.
What happens next: HB41 was circled for further negotiation between sponsors, the Department of Transportation and affected municipalities.
