The Senate committee of the whole adopted an amendment to House Bill 13 on Feb. 20 that would require anyone under the age of 16 riding in a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to be wearing a seat belt rather than relying on a helmet as the safety measure.

The amendment, moved by Senator Bernd and seconded by Senator Bierke, was described on the floor as a change provided by sheriffs and intended to clarify that young UTV riders must be belted. "This amendment states that they have to be actually wearing the seat belt, instead of wearing a helmet," Senator Bernd said during debate. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote.

The committee then voted to return House Bill 13 as amended without recommendation and filed it for second reading on the calendar. The committee report was adopted by voice vote and the bill was scheduled for Senate second reading as part of the calendar for further consideration.

No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript for the amendment or the committee report; proceedings show voice votes recorded as "ayes have it." The transcript does not cite specific statutory references tied to the amendment beyond identifying it as changes to rules of the road and helmet/seatbelt requirements.

House Bill 13, as amended, will appear on the Senate second reading calendar for further action.