SB 472: OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ACT EXEMPTIONS

An Act Relating To Motor Vehicles; Amending Sections Of The Off-highway Motor Vehicle Act To Provide For Certain Exemptions And Exceptions.

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MOD SB 472
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ACT EXEMPTIONS

Legislative URL:

SB 472 on nmlegis.gov

Emergency Clause:

No

Germane:

N/A

Location:

- OTHER -

Action:

[13] SCORC/SCONC-SCORC [24] DNP-CS/DP/a-SCONC API.

Issue(s):

Recreation, Transportation, Wilderness & Public Lands

Companion Bills

Bills:

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ACT EXEMPTIONS

Related Legislators

Bill Sponsor:

Clemente Sanchez

Related Documents

Downloads:

Introduced
SCORC Committee Report
SCORC Committee Substitute
Fiscal Impact Report

Summary

The bill expands one of the exemptions to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act so that the Act will exempt off-highway motor vehicles used for commercial operations from the Act and adds to exemptions regarding driving on roadways, paved streets or highways.

The first is an exemption to the Act’s provision prohibiting off-highway motor vehicles from operating on any paved street or highway. The exemption allows certain off-highway vehicles to operate on roadways rated for speeds of 50 miles per hour or less in municipalities or counties that have an ordinance allowing on-highway use of such vehicles. The exemption applies to:

• all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, utility terrain vehicles or side-by-sides;
• that have headlights, brake lights, horns and turn signal indicators; and
• that are operated by individuals who follows all applicable traffic and roadway laws.

The bill also would allow off-highway vehicles to be driven on roadways at 50 miles per hour or less to gain to or from areas designated as off-highway motor vehicle use areas. The vehicle must take the shortest possible route and can take advantage of this exemption and may do so only if:

• no other route is available;
• there is no shoulder; and
• the vehicle is equipped with headlights, brake lights, horns and turn signal indicators and the operator of the vehicle follows all applicable traffic and roadway laws.

A concern about the bill might be that the exemption from the Act for off-highway vehicles in commercial operations would take a significant number of vehicles out of the purview of the Act.

This bill is the same as Senate Bill 201.

Date of Summary:  2/9/2013