Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Ov topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Safety Committee backs sending off‑highway vehicle ordinance to council
Summary
After a discussion of safety, enforcement and statutory limits, the Portales Public Safety Committee voted to endorse and forward a proposed off‑highway‑vehicle (OV/UTV) policy to city council for public hearing and the standard publication/comment period.
The Portales Public Safety Committee voted to endorse and forward a proposed off‑highway‑vehicle policy to city council after hearing presentations and debate about safety, enforcement and state limitations.
Chief Williams, who introduced the draft, told the committee that people are "driving these things all over town" and that "the state prohibits it unless we have an ordinance that allows it." He walked the committee through statutory options: requiring state stickers or locally issued plates, mandating equipment such as lights and mirrors, setting speed limits, imposing insurance requirements and limiting OV use on state highways.
Committee members raised practical concerns about public education, dealer representations and enforcement. One speaker noted dealerships are marketing some vehicles as street‑usable and buyers may assume registration equals lawful street use; Chief Molden said enforcement is complicated when city departments or institutional users operate utility vehicles in town.
The draft also considered age and training requirements. A committee member cited the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s OV education program and the state rule that "anyone under the age of 18 operating OV on public lands [must] complete an approved safety course and carry the OV safety permit while riding," and committee members discussed whether to require similar training for street operation.
After discussion, Chief Malden moved that the committee "endorse and recommend approval of a proposed OV policy to city council." Jesse Mau seconded the motion; members voted in favor and the committee passed the endorsement. The item will be placed on the city council agenda for public hearing and will follow the standard 30‑day publication and comment period before any local ordinance can take effect.
The committee emphasized that state highways in Portales (including U.S. 70 and New Mexico 206 corridors) cannot be opened to OVs by local ordinance, and presenters recommended the ordinance require OVs operating on public roadways to meet the same equipment, insurance and operator requirements as other motor vehicles where practicable.
