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H 13

RULES OF THE ROAD – Amends existing law to exempt UTVs that are equipped with a roll cage and seat belts from safety helmet requirements.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

The bill exempts under-18 riders in roll-caged UTVs from helmet rules but requires safety restraints for occupants 16 or younger, with a $50 fine for violations.

Reported Signed by Governor on March 14, 2025 Session Law Chapter 73 Effective: 07/01/2025
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Bill Summary · H 13

Summary — H 13 (Sixty-eighth Legislature, 1st Regular Session, 2025)

Title: Rules of the Road — Amend Section 49-666, Idaho Code (helmets & seatbelts for motorcycles, motorbikes, UTVs, ATVs)

Purpose

To modify Idaho’s helmet and occupant‑restraint rules for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) by exempting certain UTVs from the state helmet requirement and by adding a child safety‑restraint requirement and penalty for young UTV occupants.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 49‑666, Idaho Code (motorcycle, motorbike, UTV and ATV safety helmets and seatbelts).
  • Helmet exemption:
    • Removes the helmet requirement for persons under 18 when riding in UTVs that are equipped with a roll cage and seat belts (in addition to existing exemptions for private property, implements of husbandry, and completely enclosed autocycles).
  • New safety‑restraint rules (added via Senate amendment):
    • Any operator or passenger in a UTV equipped with safety restraints who is 16 years of age or younger must wear a properly fastened safety restraint while the vehicle is in motion (except as provided in section 49‑672, Idaho Code).
    • Enforcement: A citation may be issued to (a) the occupant (16 or younger) who fails to wear the restraint, and (b) the operator if any such occupant fails to wear the restraint.
    • Penalty: A $50 fine for violations. Conviction does not generate violation points under section 49‑326 nor count as a moving traffic violation for motor vehicle insurance rate purposes.

Who is affected

  • Youth riders: Persons under 18 riding UTVs with roll cages and seat belts are no longer subject to the helmet requirement; however, those 16 and younger must use safety restraints in UTVs equipped with them.
  • UTV operators: May be cited if passengers 16 or younger do not wear restraints.
  • Law enforcement: New citation authority and enforcement focus on child restraint use in UTVs.
  • State and local budgets: Fiscal note estimates no increase or decrease in revenue or expenditures (no fiscal impact).

Procedural timeline / status

  • Introduced: January 15, 2025.
  • Passed both chambers with amendments in March 2025.
  • Delivered to Governor March 13, 2025; signed by Governor March 14, 2025.
  • Session Law: Chapter 73.
  • Emergency declared; effective date: July 1, 2025.

Notes / considerations

  • The bill narrows helmet application for UTVs with safety structures but simultaneously strengthens occupant‑restraint requirements for children 16 and under. The fiscal note indicates no budgetary impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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