Traffic Safety - As enacted, exempts utility terrain vehicles being operated for agricultural purposes from the restriction that such vehicles are authorized to operate only on certain state highways and county roads with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less. - Amends TCA Section 55-8-185.
SB 2596 exempts utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) used for agricultural purposes from a 45 mph speed limit restriction on certain state highways and county roads. The bill amends Tennessee law to clarify that this exemption applies only when UTVs are operated for farming activities, while maintaining all other existing restrictions on UTV operation (such as where they may be driven). This change directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses that use UTVs for work on public roads. The policy update removes a specific speed limit barrier for farm-related UTV use without altering other operational rules.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed Apr 1, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026
How they voted
32–0
Passed
Total votes 32
Mar 9, 2026
D
Democratic6
100% Yea
R
Republican26
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Apr 1, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
Mar 19, 2026
House · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
Mar 18, 2026
Senate · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
Mar 16, 2026
House · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
Mar 9, 2026
Senate · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
Mar 4, 2026
House · Reported by committee
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Feb 25, 2026
House · Reported by committee
Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
Feb 5, 2026
Senate · Referred to committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
Feb 2, 2026
House · Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Steve Southerland
RRepublican
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