Senate rejects bill to ban under-18s from riding in pickup beds after rural‑safety debate

Senate Bill 125 would have prohibited persons under 18 from riding in the back of pickup trucks on public roadways. Senator Bramble, sponsor of the bill, said the proposal responds to safety incidents and sought to clarify exceptions for parades and non‑roadway uses; he presented two amendments that were adopted to clarify that the restriction applies only on public roadways and does not ban parade activities.

Debate focused on whether the bill would criminalize common rural family activities. One senator described routine summertime trips where children ride in truck beds a short distance to a family site, and asked whether those everyday practices would be made unlawful. Senator Bramble characterized the bill as a secondary offense intended to address safety and liability risks; he cited incidents and fatalities involving teenagers falling from pickup beds in the context of scout activities.

Opponents warned the measure could make ‘‘innocent people’’ violators of the law in many rural circumstances and questioned how narrowly agriculture exemptions would be written. Senator Bridal and others said the bill’s language could be far‑reaching; Senator Bramble said attorneys would define an agricultural exemption.

The Senate proceeded to a roll-call vote on the third reading; the transcript records the outcome as 12 aye, 15 nay, with 2 absent, and reports that Senate Bill 125 failed. The transcript shows several amendments were considered and adopted before the final vote.