HB 592 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

MTR VEHICLE/OFF ROAD: Removes the prohibition against utility terrain vehicles operating on parish roads without a designation by the parish or municipality

HB 592 removes the requirement that parish or municipal roads must be specifically designated for utility terrain vehicle (UTV) use. It allows UTVs to operate on any parish road as long as operators are at least 16 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, and maintain liability insurance (matching standard vehicle requirements). Local governments may still post signage to regulate UTVs on public roads but cannot ban them without such notice. The bill explicitly prohibits UTVs from operating on interstate highways. This directly affects UTV operators, property owners, and local governments managing road access.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB592 Reengrossed → HB592 Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the rules for operating utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on public roads. It clarifies that UTVs can be driven on parish, state, or municipal roads if they meet specific safety standards and are properly registered, removing the previous requirement for local governments to individually designate each road for UTV use. The law also mandates that UTVs used on public roads must be registered with the state and equipped with standard motor vehicle safety features.

Scope change

The scope of UTV operation expanded from roads specifically designated by local governments to any parish, state, or municipal road, provided the vehicle meets state safety and registration requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for local governmental subdivisions to individually designate specific roads for UTV operation.

Added a requirement that UTVs operated on public roads must be registered with the state as off-road vehicles and display a registration decal.

Updated equipment requirements to explicitly mandate compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including specific items like turn signals, mirrors, and seat belts.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized local governments to post signage to regulate or restrict UTV operations on public roadways.

Floor votes · House Apr 7, 2026

How they voted

94–4

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 105

Apr 7, 2026

D Democratic33

29 Yea 3 Nay 1

87% Yea

R Republican72

65 Yea 1 Nay 6

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 4. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (15-0).

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