SB 2258 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

All-terrain vehicles and recreational off-highway vehicles; allow tagging for operation on certain roads.

SB 2258 would allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and recreational off-highway vehicles to operate on county rural, gravel, or paved roads in Mississippi, provided they have proper tags and follow basic motor vehicle rules (excluding windshield wiper requirements). The bill prohibits these vehicles from towing, operating on highways with speed limits over 40 mph, or using interstate highways - though limited crossings of other roads are permitted under specific safety conditions. It also requires counties to receive $5 from each vehicle's registration fee (instead of state funds) and mandates compliance with existing licensing and safety standards. This bill directly affects ATV and off-highway vehicle owners seeking to use county roads for recreation or travel.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 17, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced Current version · 9 edits
MAJOR
This bill allows all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and recreational off-highway vehicles (ROHVs) to operate on county rural, gravel, or paved roads in Mississippi, provided they comply with licensing, tagging, and safety requirements. It establishes a $5 annual registration fee for these vehicles, with the revenue going directly to the county where the vehicle is registered. The bill also clarifies definitions for various vehicle types and adds safety requirements such as helmet use for minors and specific rules for crossing highways.
Scope change
Expanded to allow ATVs and ROHVs to operate legally on county rural, gravel, or paved roads, previously restricted to off-road use only.
SCOPE

ATVs and ROHVs may now be operated on county rural, gravel, or paved roads, subject to licensing and tagging requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added safety requirements including helmet use for operators under 16 years old and specific rules for crossing highways at 90-degree angles with headlights and taillights illuminated.

Required off-road vehicle safety courses to be offered by Cooperative Extension Service or approved organizations, with certificates issued upon completion.

FISCAL

Established a $5 annual registration fee for ATVs and ROHVs, with revenue paid directly to the county where the vehicle is registered rather than the state highway fund.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'all-terrain vehicle' (55 inches or less width, 1,000 pounds or less weight) and 'recreational off-highway vehicle' (75 inches or less width, 3,500 pounds or less weight).

Clarified that electric bicycles are excluded from the definition of off-road vehicles.

ENFORCEMENT

Added penalties for violations including fines of $25-$50 for operating off-road vehicles without proper licensing or safety compliance.

ELIGIBILITY

ATVs and ROHVs cannot be used for towing or operated on interstate highways or roads with speed limits exceeding 40 mph, except for crossing certain roads.

TIMELINE

Bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is scheduled to be repealed on June 30, 2025, creating a one-year temporary authorization.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2025

How they voted

482
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 12, 2025
D Democratic16
16 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican35
32 Yea 2 Nay 1
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 17, 2025
Committee
Referred To Transportation
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Introduced
Transmitted To House
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Jan 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
Referred To Highways and Transportation
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ben Suber
Ben Suber
RRepublican
MS
8