A bill for an act prohibiting counties from charging a fee to operate a registered all-terrain vehicle or off-road utility vehicle on secondary roads.(See HF 1015.)

House File 257 (HF257) was a bill introduced in the Iowa General Assembly during the 2025-2026 session. The bill aimed to prohibit counties from charging fees for operating registered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on secondary roads within the county. This would have allowed ATV and UTV owners to use these roads without incurring additional county-imposed fees. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2025, by Representative Tom Moore and was later withdrawn on April 28, 2025. Subsequently, the provisions of HF257 were incorporated into House File 1015 (HF1015), which continued through the legislative process.

While specific media coverage of HF257 is not readily available, the bill's intent to eliminate county-imposed fees for operating ATVs and UTVs on secondary roads would likely have been viewed favorably by ATV and UTV enthusiasts and advocacy groups. They would appreciate the reduction of financial barriers and the promotion of recreational activities. Additionally, proponents of uniform state regulations might support the bill for creating consistent rules across counties, simplifying compliance for vehicle owners.

Although direct media critiques of HF257 are not found, potential opposition could have arisen from county governments concerned about losing a source of revenue used for road maintenance and safety programs. Public safety advocates might have expressed worries that increased ATV and UTV traffic on secondary roads, without additional fees to fund safety measures, could lead to higher accident rates and infrastructure wear. Environmental groups could also have been concerned about the ecological impact of increased off-road vehicle usage on rural and natural areas.