The House Natural Resources committee passed a bill that changes the definition of “off road utility vehicles” in the Iowa Code. With input from a range of stakeholders, the bill addresses changes in the UTV market as new models with different characteristics and capabilities have out grown the existing UTV definitions in the code. The bill creates three different off-road utility vehicle definitions based on vehicle dry weight and width.

1. Off-road utility vehicle type 1 – an off-road utility vehicle with a dry weight of 1,200 pounds or less and a width of 50 inches or less.

2. Off-road utility vehicle type 2 – an off-road utility vehicle with a dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less and a width of 60 inches or less. This will include the Polaris RANGER, John Deere Gator and Arctic Cat Prowler.

3. Off-road utility vehicle type 3 – an off-road utility vehicle with a dry weight of more than 2,000 pounds or a width of more than 65 inches, or both. This will include the Polaris BRUTUS, Kubota RTV and Bobcat 3600.

The new definitions will allow newer vehicles to be sold and used legally in Iowa.

I followed up with Joel Fry, the Representative who sponsored the bill, about what was the likelihood that the bill would pass and when but I have not heard back from him. Learn more:  OsceoliaIowa.com