Bill · S. 2969· Senate(119-S-2969)
A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to provide that State law shall apply to the use of motor vehicles on roads within a System unit.
- Introduced
- 10/3/2025
- Last activity
- 7/21/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to title 54, United States Code. It aims to ensure that state laws apply to the use of motor vehicles on roads located within a System unit. This includes the use of off-highway vehicles on roads owned, controlled, or administered by the Service. Under this provision, the state in which a System unit is located would have its laws applied to these vehicles. Finally, any violation of these state laws would be prohibited within the applicable System unit.
Yes
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+7
The bill transfers authority to the states to define off-highway vehicles and apply their specific laws to roads within System units.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill allows state-level regulations to govern vehicle use on roads within System units, which often exist in rural areas.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+2
The bill clarifies the legal framework for motor vehicle use on roads owned or administered by the Service.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Uniformity of Laws: The law of the State in which a System unit is located shall apply to the use of motor vehicles on roads within that unit (Section 1(a)(b)). This could provide clarity for drivers by aligning federal system rules with existing state regulations.
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Defined Roadways: The bill defines a 'road' as the main-traveled surface of a roadway open to motor vehicles that is owned, controlled, or otherwise administered by the Service (Section 1(a)(1)). This provides a specific scope for where these laws would be applied.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
State-Defined Restrictions: The term 'off-highway vehicle' shall be defined by the State in which the applicable System unit is located (Section 1(a)(1)). This means individuals may be subject to different definitions and regulations depending on which state the System unit is located in.
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Prohibition of Violations: Violating a provision of State law applicable to a System unit shall be prohibited in the applicable System unit (Section 1(a)(b) and (c)). This means individuals could face penalties for actions that are considered violations of state law while they are within the System unit.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+2
- 7/21/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 10/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
John CurtisRepublican · Utah