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SB-586 • 2026

Off-highway electric motorcycles.

Off-highway electric motorcycles.

Crime Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Jones
Last action
2025-10-10
Official status
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 588, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the penalties for violating safety rules, only that violations are crimes under existing laws.

Rules for Off-Highway Electric Motorcycles

The law defines off-highway electric motorcycles and makes them follow the same rules as other off-road vehicles.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines an off-highway electric motorcycle based on its design, power source, controls, seating, wheels, and lack of pedals.
  • Classifies off-highway electric motorcycles as off-highway motor vehicles under existing laws.
  • Requires off-highway electric motorcycles to display identification plates or devices issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who own and operate off-highway electric motorcycles
  • Local agencies responsible for enforcing vehicle regulations

Terms To Know

Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
A motor vehicle that operates on lands other than a highway, like trails or fields.
Identification Plate
A plate or device with information about the vehicle used for identification purposes.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify when it will take effect.
  • It is unclear how many off-highway electric motorcycles are currently in use.

Bill History

  1. 2025-10-10 California Legislative Information

    Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 588, Statutes of 2025.

  2. 2025-10-10 California Legislative Information

    Approved by the Governor.

  3. 2025-09-22 California Legislative Information

    Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

  4. 2025-09-11 California Legislative Information

    Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2874.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

  5. 2025-09-09 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

  6. 2025-09-09 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3071.) Ordered to the Senate.

  7. 2025-08-21 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  8. 2025-08-20 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 20).

  9. 2025-07-16 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  10. 2025-07-15 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 15).

  11. 2025-07-08 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.

  12. 2025-06-16 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and W. P., & W.

  13. 2025-06-05 California Legislative Information

    In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  14. 2025-06-04 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1516.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  15. 2025-05-27 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  16. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  17. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1205.) (May 23).

  18. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  19. 2025-05-12 California Legislative Information

    May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  20. 2025-05-02 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 12.

  21. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    May 5 hearing postponed by committee.

  22. 2025-04-29 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 5.

  23. 2025-04-24 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  24. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 839.) (April 22).

  25. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 22.

  26. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on N.R. & W. (Ayes 14. Noes 0. Page 710.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.

  27. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 8.

  28. 2025-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and N.R. & W.

  29. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  30. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 586, Jones.
Off-highway electric motorcycles.
Existing law defines an off-highway motor vehicle as a motor vehicle that operates on lands, other than a highway, that are open and accessible to the public, as specified. Existing law establishes rules for the operation of an off-highway vehicle and imposes specified safety requirements, including,
among other things, a requirement that a person operating an off-highway vehicle wear a safety helmet. Existing law requires every off-highway motor vehicle that is not registered under the Vehicle Code to display an identification plate or device issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, except as specified. A violation of these rules and requirements is a crime.
This bill would define the term “off-highway electric motorcycle” as an off-highway motorcycle subject to identification that is (1) designed by the manufacturer for operation primarily off the highway, (2) powered by an electric motor for which a motor number is not required, (3) has handlebars for steering control, (4) has a straddle seat provided by the manufacturer, (5) has two wheels, and (6) is not equipped with pedals from the manufacturer. The bill would
classify an off-highway electric motorcycle as an off-highway motor vehicle, thereby subjecting off-highway electric motorcycles to the rules and regulations relating to off-highway motor vehicles. By expanding the scope of existing crimes with respect to
off-highway electric motorcycles, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF