The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama Senate Bill 218 Authorizes Off-Road Vehicles on Certain County Roads with Registration and Safety Requirements
Last action · January 29, 2026: Pending Committee Action in House of OriginSponsor: Keith Kelley
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What This Bill Would Do
Starting January 1, 2027, off-road vehicles may be operated on unincorporated county public roads with speed limits of 45 miles per hour or less, provided they meet equipment, registration, liability insurance, and driver licensing requirements. Operators must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license. The legislation also provides liability protections for county engineers and governing bodies.
Off-road vehicle owners gain legal access to specific county roads by paying standard passenger vehicle fees and certifying compliance with equipment standards, while county governments and engineers are shielded from liability related to off-road vehicle operation.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Off-road vehicle owners and operators
Owners and operators must meet specific equipment, licensing, insurance, and speed limit rules to legally drive off-road vehicles on eligible public roads.
County engineers and governing bodies
County officials and entities are granted immunity from liability for injuries or damages arising from off-road vehicle operation on public roads.
Alabama Department of Revenue
The department is required to adopt implementation rules and establish a certification form for off-road vehicle dealers.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What roads can off-road vehicles be driven on under this bill?
What equipment is required for an off-road vehicle to get a tag?
Are county governments liable if someone is injured while driving an off-road vehicle on a public road?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 29, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 29, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy45Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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