Off-highway vehicle: emergency response situation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Laurie Davies

AB 1909 standardizes emergency response protocols for OHV incidents to improve coordination, safety, and communication among responders, riders, and land managers.

Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

#off-highwayvehicle #emergencyresponsesituation

Summary of AB 1909 (2025-2026) – Off-highway vehicle: emergency response situation

Purpose and intent

AB 1909 addresses how emergency responders manage and communicate during off-highway vehicle (OHV) incidents in California. The bill aims to clarify roles, improve coordination, and enhance safety for both responders and OHV operators by establishing procedures and requirements that apply in emergency response situations.

Key provisions and changes

Clarifies emergency response protocols for OHV incidents, including occasions when an incident occurs on public land, trails, or other OHV-accessible areas.

Establishes guidelines for the deployment of emergency personnel (e.g., fire, law enforcement, medical) during OHV incidents to ensure timely and coordinated response.

Enhances communication requirements among agencies and responders to reduce delays and improve situational awareness on the ground.

May address authority and responsibilities of OHV event organizers or land managers in facilitating emergency access and safety measures (exact text not provided in summary).

Potentially includes safety requirements or recommendations for OHV riders to follow during emergencies, with emphasis on minimizing risk to first responders and bystanders.

The bill includes provisions for interagency cooperation, data sharing, and reporting related to emergency response effectiveness in OHV contexts.

Who is affected

Emergency response agencies (fire departments, sheriff departments, EMS/medical responders) involved in OHV incidents.

OHV riders and operators who may encounter emergencies on trails, parks, or public lands.

Land managers, park authorities, and OHV event organizers responsible for safety planning and access during emergencies.

Potentially local governments and regional park authorities coordinating trail safety and response efforts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee (TRANS) multiple times, with amendments noted by the committee chair.

Timeline notes:

February 12, 2026: Read first time and to print.
February 13, 2026: From printer; may be heard in committee March 15.
March 9, 2026: Amended by author and re-referred to TRANS after committee consideration.
March 10, 2026: Re-referred to TRANS (second referral in short succession).

Sponsors include a co-sponsor: Laurie Davies, indicating support from at least one assembly member and potential alignment with existing safety/transportation policy goals.

Potential impact and considerations

If enacted, AB 1909 could standardize emergency response practices in OHV settings, reducing response times and enhancing safety for participants and responders.

Improved interagency communication and defined roles may reduce confusion during incidents and improve casualty outcomes or incident resolution.

The bill may impose new reporting or oversight requirements on agencies and land managers, with possible training or protocol updates needed for responders.

Riders and organizers could face new safety expectations or compliance measures during OHV activities.

Note: This summary is based on the bill’s stated purpose and the available legislative history. For a complete understanding, review the full text of AB 1909, including any amendments adopted during committee hearings and the bill’s fiscal and legal impact analyses.