Last year, I introduced LB 1110, which outlined the provisions for registering all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) for street use. Unfortunately, that bill got stuck in committee and never made it to the floor. This year, I have introduced LB 66, which has the same intent as last year’s bill.
As many of you know, ATVs and UTVs are a vital part of life in our rural communities. They are used for a variety of purposes, including checking fields, plowing snow, recreational activities, and taking quick trips into town. However, current laws regarding the use of these vehicles are often confusing and inconsistent. The existing law in Nebraska, for instance, allows communities to pass an ordinance allowing people to drive ATVs and UTVs on city streets, but only inside their respective boundaries. Numerous communities across the state, including many in my district, have passed such regulations. However, the problem starts when Nebraskans who live outside of city limits wish to drive an ATV or UTV into the city. These people would theoretically be breaking the law while traveling their route unless they stayed within the legal gray area that permits the use of ATVs and UTVs for agricultural purposes. Just by crossing the city limits, they would fall into a bubble where their use, if accepted by the municipality, would be legal again.
LB 66 would provide a clear legal framework for the use of ATVs and UTVs on county roads, similar to the regulatory framework in South Dakota. This bill would keep well-intentioned Nebraskans from being labeled as criminals for driving their preferred vehicles on county roads.
In addition to making it easier for Nebraskans to use ATVs and UTVs on county roads, this bill would also increase our state’s tourism. Currently, many Nebraskans leave our state to go to South Dakota or other states with looser restrictions on these vehicles for vacations. By opening our county roads to ATVs and UTVs with reasonable safety measures, we would also be opening our doors to tourists who want to get outdoors in their ATVs or UTVs.
Although LB 66’s public hearing has already passed, there are still ways you can make your voice heard! I encourage you or anyone else that may be interested, to visit LB 66’s webpage found on the legislature’s website which can be accessed here to submit a comment, or email members of the Transportation and Telecommunications committee to encourage their support of LB 66.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.