Committee adopts amendment and advances off‑road vehicle seizure bill
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Summary
HB 789 would allow seizure and forfeiture of off‑road vehicles unlawfully used on public streets; an amendment adopted in committee assigns forfeiture proceeds to the Attorney General's office when the AG prosecutes as DA ad hoc. Supporters cited traffic safety; the committee reported the bill as amended.
Representative Gallet introduced HB 789, saying the use of off‑road vehicles and ATVs on streets has become a public‑safety nuisance that “creates an immense traffic hazard.” He described the bill as a tool to remove those vehicles from roadways and discourage improper use.
An amendment (set 2656) adopted in committee makes a narrow administrative change: when the Attorney General’s office acts ad hoc as a district attorney to prosecute a seizure, proceeds from seizure and forfeiture would go to the Attorney General’s office rather than to the local DA. “If the AG is gonna be tasked with executing and then trying the case, then therefore they would receive the proceeds,” the sponsor summarized.
Chief Deputy AG Larry Freeman and chiefs of police testified in support, and Representative Fontenot moved to report the bill as amended. The committee approved the motion and reported HB 789 as amended.
The committee did not record a roll‑call vote; the bill moves to the next stage with the adopted amendment.
