No action on measure lowering ATV age rules

The House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee didn't act on a bill that would lower the age requirements for driving off-highway vehicles, giving sponsoring Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, more time to fine-tune the measure.

HB237 would make 6 years of age the new minimum for young ATV and dirt bike riders. Currently, 8 is the starting age.

The bill has its critics. Fred Hayes, who oversees the off-highway vehicle program for state parks, said he was concerned lowering the age requirement would result in more fatalities.

Mike Swenson, of the Utah Shared Access Alliance, said his group supports HB 237.

The committee moved to the next item on the agenda without voting on the bill. The move gives Tilton more time to work on the particulars of the legislation that would also allow people to transport unregistered off-road vehicles.