SB 728 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Motor Vehicles - As enacted, authorizes utility terrain vehicles to operate on county roads and state highways throughout the state, subject to certain restrictions. - Amends TCA Title 55.

Tennessee's SB 728 allows utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) to operate on county roads and state highways with a 45 mph speed limit or less, subject to specific rules. It requires UTVs to be titled, registered, and covered by liability insurance, with operators aged 16+ needing a valid driver's license and all occupants wearing helmets. Safety equipment mandates include brakes, lights, roll bars, seat belts, and operational headlights during operation. The law exempts UTVs used for agriculture, recreational trails, or public safety purposes (like wildlife management) from registration and certain safety requirements. It restricts operation to daylight hours (30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after dusk) and prohibits use on interstates or controlled-access highways.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed Apr 24, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Apr 14, 2025

How they voted

35–1
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 14, 2025
D Democratic7
7 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican29
28 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
13
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0058)
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0412)
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 1
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0064)
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0415)
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 85, Nays 5, PNV 0
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/5/2025
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/5/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 2/19/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Adam Lowe
Adam Lowe
RRepublican
TN
1