SB 1519 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

off-highway vehicles; weight

SB 1519 amends Arizona law to define "All-terrain vehicle" with specific weight limits for two categories. It sets a maximum unladen weight of 1,200 pounds for one type (motor vehicles designed for recreational nonhighway travel) and 2,350 pounds for another type (recreational off-highway vehicles). These definitions will directly affect how off-highway vehicles are classified and regulated under Arizona's vehicle laws. The bill formalizes these weight criteria into the legal definition without altering existing weight standards.

Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Failed

Jun 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Jun 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version (06/12/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (03/04/2026) · 6 edits · Mar 4, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove specific exemptions for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-highway vehicles (OHVs) regarding state trust land recreational permits, requiring permits for all occupants regardless of vehicle type. Additionally, the bill restructured the funding mechanism for off-highway vehicle taxes by creating a new 'laws enforcement fund' and adjusting tax rates for heavier vehicles to better support enforcement and land mitigation efforts.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was narrowed by removing the ability to request motor vehicle registration for certain OHVs that are primarily used off-road, and the applicability of state trust land permits was expanded to include all OHV occupants previously exempted.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the provision allowing owners to request motor vehicle registration for OHVs that meet highway equipment standards but are primarily used off-road.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the exemption for ATVs and OHVs from the requirement to obtain a state trust land recreational permit when crossing state trust lands.

FISCAL

Established a new 'off-highway vehicle laws enforcement fund' to replace the previous 'mitigation fund' and adjust how tax revenues are deposited.

Added a new tax category for OHVs weighing between 2,501 and 3,500 pounds, requiring them to pay 50% of the standard vehicle license tax.

TIMELINE

Removed specific future dates for shifting tax revenue allocations between the highway user revenue fund and the mitigation fund.

DEFINITION

Removed the definition of 'Autocycle' from the list of defined terms in the statute.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (06/12/2026) · 6 edits · Mar 4, 2026

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands the regulatory framework for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in Arizona by establishing a new mitigation fund to address environmental damage and creating a tiered tax system based on vehicle weight and intended use. It clarifies definitions for various vehicle types, including electric scooters and autonomous vehicles, and updates enforcement procedures for minors operating motorcycles and OHVs. The legislation also adjusts the distribution of user fees to prioritize land remediation and enforcement over time.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Arizona Revised Statutes to include new definitions for modern mobility devices (like electric standup scooters) and creates a specific legal category for 'primarily off-highway' vehicles with occasional on-highway use, altering how these vehicles are taxed and registered.

FISCAL

Establishes a new 'Off-highway vehicle mitigation fund' (Section 28-1182) to be administered by the State Parks Board for land remediation, revegetation, and enforcement.

TIMELINE

Updates fee distribution schedules in Section 28-1177 to shift funding from the recreation fund to the new mitigation fund starting December 31, 2027, and fully by December 31, 2029.

ELIGIBILITY

Modifies vehicle license tax rates in Section 28-5801 to charge a lower rate ($3) for lighter OHVs and introduces a new tax structure for heavier or 'primarily off-highway' vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

Adds detailed definitions for 'Electric standup scooter,' 'Electric miniature scooter,' 'Motorized quadricycle,' and 'Neighborhood electric vehicle' to clarify regulatory boundaries.

REQUIREMENT

Updates the weight limit for recreational off-highway vehicles in the definition of 'All-terrain vehicle' to 3,500 pounds and adds requirements for rollover protective structures and occupant retention systems.

ENFORCEMENT

Refines citation procedures for minors operating motorcycles and OHVs, specifying age thresholds and conditions under which parents or operators can be cited for a minor's lack of helmet use.

Floor votes · House Jun 12, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Jun 12, 2026

Vote failed

House Vote: fail (25-29-5)

house

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors