Near the end of the Russell County Fiscal Court meeting this week, Sheriff Derek Polston addressed the court about a new law concerning side-by-side utility vehicles.
Senate Bill 63 allows street-legal special-purpose vehicles, like a side-by-side, to be operated on the highway. The vehicle must meet certain requirements, such as having head lamps, tail lamps, reflectors, turn signals, and other requirements. The vehicles must also be insured and registered at the clerk’s office.
However, local government entities like the fiscal court must pass legislation allowing side-by-sides to be operated on the highway.
Judge Executive Randy Marcum told WJRS News the county is going to look into the issue, but a decision most likely will not be made before the law goes into effect.
The law requires side-by-sides to be inspected by the sheriff’s office before being deemed street legal, as well as payment of a $25 fee.
Polston said the sheriff’s office is going to hold off on performing inspections until action is taken by the fiscal court on the issue.
The new law goes into effect statewide on June 27.
