HB 1712

ON MARCH 5, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENTS #1 AND #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1782, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, authorize a local government to regulate or prohibit the operation of a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on any part of a street or highway where bicycles are authorized to travel within its jurisdiction. F urther, this amendment authorizes a state agency having jurisdiction over any part of a street or highway where bicycles are authorized to travel to regulate or prohibit the operation of a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on that part of the street or hi ghway. Present law prohibits a person under 14 from operating such a bicycle on any street or highway. Effective July 1, 2026, this amendment prohibits a person under 16 from operating a class 3 electric bicycle on any street or highway. AMENDMENT #2 clarifies that a class 3 electric bicycle is prohibited from operating on any part of a path or trail where bicycles are authorized to travel unless (i) the bicycle lane, shoulder or berm, or path or trail is within or adjacent to the street , highway, or state highway; or (ii) the governing body of the local government in which that bicycle lane, shoulder or berm, or path or trail is located or a state agency with jurisdiction permits its operation.