SB 256-FN (2023): establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles.

Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA
“SB 256-FN (2023): establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2023/sb256. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). SB 256-FN (2023): establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2023/sb256
Chicago
Granite Record. “SB 256-FN (2023): establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2023/sb256.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2023-sb256, title = {SB 256-FN (2023): establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2023/sb256}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 256-FN (2023)

establishing a safety program for off-highway recreational vehicles.

  • Status: Vetoed, override failed
  • Term: 2023-2024
  • House committee: Transportation
  • Senate committee: Transportation
  • Subject: Motor Vehicles

The Story

It was introduced on January 19, 2023 and referred to the Senate Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 31, 2023. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2023-0425s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2023-0425s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 9, 2023, changing the text of the bill. On February 9, 2023 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2023-1025s). The committee's amendment (2023-1025s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 23, 2023, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2023-1071s), offered by Sen. Howard Pearl, was adopted on a voice vote on March 23, 2023, changing the text of the bill. On March 23, 2023 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 23, 2023 and was referred to the House Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 18, 2023. The committee met in executive session on May 16, 2023 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2023-1570h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 15–5. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2023-1570h) was adopted on a voice vote on June 8, 2023, changing the text of the bill. On June 8, 2023 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 186–179. On June 15, 2023 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Denise Ricciardi. The bill was enrolled on June 29, 2023 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on August 4, 2023. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On October 26, 2023 the Senate voted 10–13 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 31, 2023, 1:45 PM: hearing, Senate Transportation, LOB 101
  • April 18, 2023, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Transportation, LOB 201-203
  • May 16, 2023, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Transportation, LOB 201-203

Votes

  • February 9, 2023, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-0425s — voice vote, passed
  • March 23, 2023, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment s 2023-1025s and 2023-1071s — voice vote, passed
  • June 8, 2023, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 186, nays 179, passed
  • June 15, 2023, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • October 26, 2023, Senate: Veto Override — yeas 10, nays 13, failed

The Docket

  • January 19, 2023: Introduced 01/19/2023 and Referred to Transportation
  • January 31, 2023: Hearing: 01/31/2023, Room 101, LOB, 01:45 pm
  • February 9, 2023: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2023-0425s , 02/09/2023; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9A
  • February 9, 2023: Committee Amendment #2023-0425s , AA, VV; 02/09/2023
  • February 9, 2023: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-0425s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/09/2023
  • March 23, 2023: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2023-1025s , 03/23/2023
  • March 23, 2023: Committee Amendment #2023-1025s , AA, VV; 03/23/2023
  • March 23, 2023: Sen. Pearl Floor Amendment #2023-1071s , AA, VV; 03/23/2023
  • March 23, 2023: Ought to Pass with Amendment s 2023-1025s and 2023-1071s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/23/2023
  • March 23, 2023: Introduced (in recess of) 03/23/2023 and referred to Transportation
  • April 18, 2023: Public Hearing: 04/18/2023 11:30 am LOB 201-203
  • May 16, 2023: Executive Session: 05/16/2023 10:00 am LOB 201-203
  • May 16, 2023: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2023-1570h 05/16/2023 (Vote 15-5; RC)
  • May 17, 2023: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  • June 8, 2023: Amendment #2023-1570h : AA VV 06/08/2023
  • June 8, 2023: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2023-1570h: MA RC 186-179 06/08/2023
  • June 15, 2023: Sen. Ricciardi Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/15/2023
  • June 29, 2023: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/29/2023)
  • June 29, 2023: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/29/2023
  • August 4, 2023: Vetoed by Governor 08/04/2023
  • October 26, 2023: Notwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 256 Become Law: RC 10Y-13N, Veto Sustained, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote; 10/26/2023

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court