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 bill summary text does not specify the exact date when it will take effect.

Rules for Off-Highway Electric Motorcycles

The law defines off-highway electric motorcycles and includes them under the rules that apply to other off-road vehicles.

What This Bill Does

Defines an off-highway electric motorcycle as a two-wheeled vehicle with handlebars, straddle seat, powered by an electric motor, designed for off-road use, and not equipped with pedals from the manufacturer.
Classifies off-highway electric motorcycles as off-highway vehicles, making them subject to existing rules and safety requirements.
Requires identification plates or devices on unregistered off-highway electric motorcycles.

Who It Names or Affects

People who own or operate off-highway electric motorcycles

Terms To Know

Off-Highway Motor Vehicle: A motor vehicle that operates on lands other than a highway, such as trails or fields.
Identification Plate: A plate or device issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to identify an off-highway vehicle.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when it will take effect.
It is unclear how many people currently own or operate off-highway electric motorcycles in California.

Bill History

2025-10-10 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 588, Statutes of 2025.
2025-10-10 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-09-22 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
2025-09-11 California Legislative Information
Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2874.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3071.) Ordered to the Senate.
2025-08-21 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 20).
2025-07-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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).
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.
2025-06-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and W. P., & W.
2025-06-05 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1516.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1205.) (May 23).
2025-05-16 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 23.
2025-05-12 California Legislative Information
May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-05-02 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 12.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
May 5 hearing postponed by committee.
2025-04-29 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 5.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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).
2025-04-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 22.
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.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 8.
2025-03-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and N.R. & W.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
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

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