New Tn law being considered

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"Child safety in operation of off-highway motor vehicles. Establishes an offense for any parent or legal guardian of a person under 18 years of age to permit that person to operate or be a passenger on an off-highway motor vehicle without an appropriate helmet."

Q: Does this mean kids gotta wear a helmet in a Jeep?  Note that it uses "off highway vehicle" instead of "all terrain vehicle".

A (from David Borum, SFWDA Legislative affairs guy): It could.  The bill was written to address ATV, Side by sides, and motorcycles but wording is everything.   However if a vehicle does not have tags it is not a street legal vehicle thus OHV so an untagged hybrid could fall under this bill. 

Since OHV is not defined specifically in the bill this could also mean lawn mowers, tractors, anything motorized without tags.

I would suggest to OPPOSE this bill and call the members of the House Public Safety Subcommittee.  The bill is being heard tomorrow (Tuesday)  You can contact your reps here:  http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/   the committee members are in the House Members section.  This bill covers public and private lands, no exception for farming or hunting.

All legislators may be reached at 1-800-449-8366, then enter the last five digits of their office phone number listed below or by their last name.

House Public Safety Subcommittee -- Tuesday at 4:00 pm -- LP 16 -- Immediately following Full Committee
MEMBERS: Chair Dean (R), Vice Chair Shipley (R), T. Cobb (D), Faulkner (R), Marsh (R), West (D).

HB 0036
Hardaway
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES: Child safety in operation of off-highway motor vehicles. Establishes an offense for any parent or legal guardian of a person under 18 years of age to permit that person to operate or be a passenger on an off-highway motor vehicle without an appropriate helmet. (SENATE: SB 1350, Tate; Referred to Senate Transportation.) FISCAL NOTE: Dated: January 12, 2009 Increase state revenue - not significant increase state expenditures - not significant Increase local revenue - not significant increase local expenditures - not significant.  

Edited by alabamatoy - 22 March 2010 at 6:13am