This bill introduces new registration surcharges for small battery-operated vehicles, specifically assessing a $20 fee for vehicles weighing under 400 pounds used on municipal roads and a $30 fee for vehicles weighing between 401 and 1,000 pounds used on public roads other than highways. The revenue from the $20 fee will be directed to the municipalities where the vehicle owners reside, while the $30 fee is assumed to be credited to the state highway fund. Additionally, the bill exempts motorized electric-powered vehicles that are used exclusively off-road from registration requirements, which is a significant change from current law.

The bill also mandates that the Department of Safety's Division of Motor Vehicles will determine the procedures for identifying vehicles subject to these surcharges and will report annually on the revenue generated from these fees. The effective date for this legislation is set for July 1, 2026, which has raised concerns regarding the adequacy of time for the Department to implement the necessary changes to vehicle registration systems. Overall, while the bill aims to regulate low-capacity and low-weight battery-operated vehicles, its fiscal impact remains indeterminable due to the lack of estimates on how many vehicles may register under the new classifications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 261:141-c
HB1682 text: 261:141-c