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House advances bill to allow street-legal OHVs on certain Salt Lake County roads after debate on safety and local control
Summary
First substitute HB82 would permit registered, street-legal off-highway vehicles on specified roads in Salt Lake County (posted speed limit under 50 mph; exclusions for grade-separated highways), a sponsor framed as a fairness measure; the House passed the substitute and will send it to the Senate.
The Utah House on Feb. 15 adopted a first substitute to HB82, which would permit registered street-legal off-highway vehicles (OHVs/UTVs) on certain roads in Salt Lake County under specified conditions.
Representative Noelle, sponsor, described the bill as a fairness measure for the many registered street-legal OHVs in Salt Lake County and said the substitute implements Utah Department of Transportation recommendations that exempt grade-separated highways and limit OHV use to corridors with posted speeds below 50 mph. Noelle said the legislation responds to constituent requests and years of local denials to OHV route proposals.
Opponents questioned safety, emissions compliance and whether the state should override local decisions. Representative Briscoe asked whether street-legal ATVs in nonattainment areas are required to receive emissions testing; Noelle said he did not have a definitive answer and that the issue had not been raised by constituents. Representative Cutler asked about local control and whether cities that opposed routes would be preempted; Noelle said registration is a state requirement and a street-legal registered vehicle should be able to drive on a road unless precluded by specific bill language.
Supporters framed the bill as practical access for recreational and rural users and highlighted exemptions and a 50-mph threshold that excludes freeways. Representative Perry noted Salt Lake County collects significant registration fees but limits where these vehicles may be driven; he called the bill a fairness issue. Noelle defended safety, saying OHVs rank low on traumatic brain injury causes compared with falls and motor-vehicle crashes and emphasized public education as part of implementation.
The House passed first substitute HB82 by a recorded vote of 62 yes, 10 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Attribution: Representative Noelle; Representative Briscoe; Representative Cutler; Representative Perry.
Ending: First substitute HB82 passed the House 62-10 and will be transmitted to the Senate.
