House Natural Resources Committee passes ORUV bill

The House Natural Resources committee passed House Study Bill 585, a bill that changes the definition of “off road utility vehicles” in the Iowa Code.

House Study Bill 585 is a bill that was agreed upon by many stakeholders that legalizes newer off-road utility vehicles (ORUVs) that are being developed. Stakeholders included ABATE of Iowa, Polaris Industries, Iowa Motorcycle Dealers Association, Iowa OHV Association, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The off-road vehicle market is different now than when the Code was last changed. Some off-road utility vehicles in the market today do not fit within the current ORUV definition. This causes significant problems for motorsports dealers, consumers, and the Iowa DNR.

House Study Bill 585 creates three different off-road utility vehicle definitions based on width and weight that allow these newer vehicles to be sold and used legally in Iowa. The new definition of off-road utility vehicle includes the following:

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.

Please join me at one of my legislative coffees during the course of the 2014 legislative session.

Legislative Forum Events

• Friday, Feb. 28

Noon at Lakeside Casino in Osceola

• Friday, March 28

Noon at Lakeside Casino in Osceola