WHEREAS, House Bill 1606 was passed and signed into law as Act 922 of the 95^th General Assembly, Regular Session in 2025, which amends Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-21-101 et seq. to address and include Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), which became effective on or about August 5, 2025;

WHEREAS, Act 922 provides for cities to pass an ordinance designating the public streets or highways within its jurisdiction as being open to the operation of a UTV;

WHEREAS, the City of Bono Mayor, Police Chief, and Legal Adviser reviewed state and local law and discussed several concerns, including but not limited to practical use, safety, and enforcement of laws, regarding operation of UTVs in the City of Bono;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BONO, ARKANSAS THAT:

Section 1. Utility Task Vehicle Operation in City.

Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-21-111((b)(1)(A), the City of Bono designates the following public street(s) and highway(s) as being open to the operation of a Utility Task Vehicle, as identified and defined in Arkansas Code Annotated 27-21-102(5): All public streets and highways within the boundaries of the city, with the exceptions where the public street or highway has one or more of the following attributes:

1. 1. Posted speed limit that exceeds fifty-five (55) miles per hour;
   2. Divided four (4) lane highway; and/or
   3. Located in a state park.
2. Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-21-111((a)(2)(B), the City of Bono sets forth the designated streets and highways in the city limits, showing where operation is permitted and not permitted in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A.
3. In the event that streets and highways are added and become part of the city and/or within its jurisdiction and are not yet updated in the map identified in Exhibit A, the new streets and highways must comply with Section 1(A) herein.

Section 2. Adoption of Definition of Utility Task Vehicle.

The City of Bono hereby adopts the definition of Utility Task Vehicle as set forth in Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-21-102(5).

Section 3. Additional Requirements for Utility Task Vehicle and its Operation.

1. An operator and the Utility Task Vehicle must comply with all state and city laws.
2. The Utility Task Vehicle must comply with Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-21-108, including but not limited to:
   1. At least two (2) headlamps;
   2. Rear-facing turn signals;
   3. At least one (1) brake light; and
   4. Seatbelts.
3. Operation of lights attached to and contained in the Utility Task Vehicle shall comply with Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-36-208.
4. Utility Task Vehicles shall not be operated on or in areas not designated for motor vehicle traffic, including but not limited to sidewalks, bike paths, walking tracks, and other areas not designated for motor vehicle traffic.
5. An operator must have a valid driver’s license and comply with Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-16-804.
6. Any person allowing a minor who does not possess a valid driver’s license to operate a UTV shall comply with Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-16-305.
7. The Utility Task Vehicle shall be covered under, either a bond or a liability insurance policy for operation of motor vehicle, required by Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-22-104 and other Arkansas law.
8. An operator of a Utility Task Vehicle shall maintain insurance that meets the requirement for private passenger motor vehicles under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 23-89-201, et seq., and carry proof of that insurance for the Utility Task Vehicle.
9. The Utility Task Vehicle must be registered as required under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-14-701, et seq., and display the registration decal on the driver’s side of the roll bar.

Section 4. Penalties.

The penalty for each violation of these provisions shall be no less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and no greater than five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Section 5. Repealing Clause.

Ordinances or parts thereof in force at the time that this Ordinance shall take effect that are in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

Section 6. Saving Clause.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect any rights or obligations not expressly addressed herein.

Section 7. Severability Clause.

In the event any portion of this Ordinance is declared inoperative or invalid because of a statute or judicial decision, then only that portion expressly so declared inoperative or invalid shall be affected thereby and all other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Emergency Clause.

The City Council of the City of Bono, Arkansas determines that this ordinance is necessary and vital to the health, welfare and safety of the public since the city and the public’s use of Utility Task Vehicles are often a public safety concern on city streets, and that, therefore, an emergency is declared to exist and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.