Off-road recreational vehicle operation.

Plain English Breakdown

The summary provided is a general overview and may not capture all specific details or exceptions outlined in the full bill text.

Rules for Off-Road Recreational Vehicles Near Interstates

This law prohibits off-road recreational vehicles from driving on or near interstate highways, except under specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

• It specifies that off-road recreational vehicles cannot be operated on the roadway or right-of-way of an interstate highway.
• It allows these vehicles to drive in a special trail area next to the interstate if there is a physical barrier between them and the highway, as long as it's designated, marked, or signed as a Wyoming off-road recreational vehicle trail.
• It permits these vehicles to use separate grade crossings over or under the interstate, provided they are marked or signed as trails for off-road recreational vehicles.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who own or operate off-road recreational vehicles near interstates in Wyoming.

Terms To Know

Off-Road Recreational Vehicle

A vehicle designed for use on unpaved roads and trails, such as ATVs or dirt bikes.

Right-of-Way

The area beside a road that is used for walking paths, bike lanes, or other purposes.

Limits and Unknowns

• This law only applies to off-road recreational vehicles and does not affect regular cars or trucks.
• It allows exceptions based on rules set by the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0020
Bill No.:

HB0042

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0020

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0051

Chapter No.:

91

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Off-road recreational vehicle operation.

Subject:

Prohibiting operation of off-road recreational vehicles on the roadway or right-of-way of an interstate highway.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act specifies that off-road recreational vehicles shall not be operated on the roadway or right-of-way of an interstate highway.

This act provides exceptions for operation pursuant to Wyoming Department of Transportation rules, in the right-of-way adjacent to the interstate roadway, and on separate grade crossings over or under the interstate roadway.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

23LSO-0020

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0042

ENROLLED ACT NO. 51,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; specifying requirements for operating an off-road recreational vehicle near an interstate; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
124(c) and 31
‑
5
‑
1601(c) and (e) are amended to read:

31
‑
5
‑
124.

Off
‑
road recreational vehicles; multipurpose vehicles; limitation on use; equipment.

(c)

Off
‑
road recreational vehicles shall not be operated on
the roadway or right
‑
of
‑
way of an
interstate
highways
highway except in accordance with W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
1601(e)
.

31
‑
5
‑
1601.

Operation on highways.

(c)

As used in this section, "public road right
‑
of
‑
way" means the entire right
‑
of
‑
way of a street, road or highway within Wyoming, including the traveled portions, banks, ditches, shoulders and medians of a street, road or highway
except as provided in subsection (e) of this section
.

(e)

Off
‑
road recreational vehicles
as defined in W.S. 31
‑
1
‑
101(a)(xv)(K)
shall not be operated on
the roadway or right
‑
of
‑
way of an
interstate
highways
highway except as authorized by department rules and except that an off
‑
road recreational vehicle under this subsection:

(i)

May be operated in the right
‑
of
‑
way adjacent to the interstate roadway on a trail where there is a physical barrier between the trail and the interstate highway and the trail is designated, marked or signed as a Wyoming off
‑
road recreational vehicle trail pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
701 through 31
‑
2
‑
707, provided the off
‑
road recreational vehicle:

(A)

Is operated by a person with a valid driver's license for the type or class of vehicle being operated;

(B)

Displays a license plate pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
232 or an off
‑
road recreational vehicle decal pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
702 through 31
‑
2
‑
704
.

(ii)

May be operated on separate grade crossings, over or under the interstate roadway, marked or signed as a Wyoming off
‑
road recreational vehicle trail pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
701 through 31
‑
2
‑
707, provided the off
‑
road recreational vehicle:

(A)

Is operated by a person with a valid driver's license for the type or class of vehicle being operated;

(B)

Displays a license pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
232 or an off
‑
road recreational vehicle decal pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
702 through 31
‑
2
‑
704.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1