HB 503 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

HIGHWAYS: Authorizes utility terrain vehicles to travel on the shoulder of certain roadways in Golden Meadow

HB 503 authorizes utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) to operate on the shoulders of public roads and streets in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, specifically on roads with a 30 mph speed limit or lower (excluding Louisiana Highway 3235). The bill requires Golden Meadow’s town officials to adopt an ordinance permitting UTVs on shoulders, with conditions they may impose, and mandates UTV owners to be properly licensed, carry insurance, and register their vehicles with the town. Registration fees collected will go to the municipal general fund, and the law explicitly excludes golf carts and vehicles for disabled persons from this UTV definition. This bill directly affects UTV owners and operators within Golden Meadow’s municipal boundaries.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB503 Original → HB503 Act 554 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the definition of 'utility terrain vehicles' (UTVs) to include recreational off-highway vehicles that lack specific federal certification labels, broadening the types of vehicles eligible for road use. It authorizes the town of Golden Meadow to allow UTVs, along with golf carts and low-speed vehicles, to travel on public road shoulders where the speed limit is 30 mph or less, provided the town passes a specific ordinance. The law also mandates that these vehicles be registered with the town, carry proof of insurance, and be operated by licensed drivers.

Scope change

The bill changes the scope from a limited authorization for golf carts and low-speed vehicles to explicitly include utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) and uncertified recreational off-highway vehicles in the town of Golden Meadow.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'utility terrain vehicle' that includes recreational off-highway vehicles not equipped with a specific federal certification label.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility to allow utility terrain vehicles to operate on public road shoulders in Golden Meadow, in addition to golf carts and low-speed vehicles.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the speed limit threshold for shoulder operation from 35 mph to 30 mph for the authorized vehicles.

Added a requirement that utility terrain vehicles must be registered with the governing authority and display a registration decal.

Added a requirement that operators of utility terrain vehicles must hold a valid driver's license and carry proof of insurance.

Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026 · House Mar 23, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 40

May 20, 2026

D Democratic12

10 Yea 2

83% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 12, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors