House Bill 25-1281 Preamended

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning kei vehicles.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

A kei vehicle is the smallest road-legal, 4-wheeled vehicle in Japan and is imported into the United States as a used vehicle. The bill defines a kei vehicle as a motor vehicle for the purposes of the "Uniform Motor Vehicle Law" and the "Certificate of Title Act". These acts govern issuing a certificate of title, registering a motor vehicle, and the rules of the road for motor vehicles. The bill authorizes a kei vehicle to operate on the roads and requires a kei vehicle to be issued a certificate of title, be registered, and obey motor vehicle traffic laws.

Driving a kei vehicle on a roadway that has a speed limit greater than 55 miles per hour or on a limited-access highway is prohibited.

For emissions testing, a kei vehicle is tested not using a dynamometer but using a 2-speed idle test. The vehicle must pass the emissions standards for the year it was manufactured.

The department of revenue, the Colorado state patrol, and the agents or contractors of these agencies may not require a vehicle to have an inspection because it is a kei vehicle or has the design or manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle. And a kei vehicle may not be declared not roadworthy because of its design or manufacturing parameters.

• This Unofficial Version Includes Committee

• Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 10-4-601, amend (6) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 310-4-601.  Definitions. As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 2, Line 4(6)  "Motor vehicle" means a "motor vehicle", a "kei vehicle",

• Page 2, Line 5and a "low-power scooter", as both each of these terms are is defined

• Page 2, Line 6in section 42-1-102; C.R.S.; except that "motor vehicle" does not include

• Page 2, Line 7a toy vehicle, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, or vehicle designed primarily for use on rails.

• Page 2, Line 8SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-1-102, amend (58)(a); and add (45.3) as follows:

• Page 2, Line 942-1-102.  Definitions. As used in articles 1 to 4 of this title 42, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 2, Line 10(45.3) (a)  "Kei vehicle" means a vehicle that:

• Page 2, Line 11(I)  Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a

• Page 2, Line 12displacement of one thousand cubic centimeters or less or an electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;

• Page 2, Line 13(II)  Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;

• (III)  Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;

• Page 3, Line 1(IV)  Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;

• Page 3, Line 2(V)  Has a top speed of approximately fifty-five miles per hour;

• Page 3, Line 3(VI)  Has an enclosed passenger cab;

• (VII)  Was imported into the United States; and

• Page 3, Line 4(VIII)  Is at least twenty-five years old.

• Page 3, Line 5(b)  "Kei vehicle" includes a vehicle that was titled as a kei vehicle in another state if it is at least twenty-five years old.

• Page 3, Line 6(c)  "Kei vehicle" does not include a vehicle that:

• Page 3, Line 7(I)  Is imported into the United States as an off-road vehicle; and

• Page 3, Line 8(II)  Has a permanent speed limiter installed before being

• Page 3, Line 9imported into the United States, and the speed limiter is set to stop the vehicle from exceeding twenty-five miles per hour.

• Page 3, Line 10(58)  "Motor vehicle":

• Page 3, Line 11(a)  Means any a self-propelled vehicle that is designed primarily

• Page 3, Line 12for travel on the public highways and that is generally and commonly

• Page 3, Line 13used to transport persons and property over the public highways, a

• Page 3, Line 14low-speed electric vehicle, a kei vehicle, or an autocycle; except that the

• Page 3, Line 15term does not include electrical assisted bicycles, electric scooters,

• Page 3, Line 16low-power scooters except as provided in subsection (58)(b) of this section, wheelchairs, or vehicles moved solely by human power;

• Page 3, Line 17SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-109.7 as follows:

• Page 3, Line 1842-4-109.7.  Kei vehicles. (1) (a)  A person shall not drive a

• Page 4, Line 1kei vehicle on a roadway that has a speed limit greater than

• Page 4, Line 2fifty-five miles per hour; except that a person may drive across

• Page 4, Line 3a roadway with a speed limit greater than fifty-five miles per hour at an at-grade intersection.

• Page 4, Line 4(b)  A person shall not drive a kei vehicle on a limited-access highway.

• Page 4, Line 5(2)  A violation of this section is a class B traffic infraction.

• Page 4, Line 6SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-310, amend (1)(a)(I) as follows:

• Page 4, Line 742-4-310.  Periodic emissions control inspection required.

• Page 4, Line 8(1) (a) (I)  Subject to subsection (4) of this section and section 42-4-318,

• Page 4, Line 9a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in the program area shall

• Page 4, Line 10not be sold, registered for the first time without a certification of

• Page 4, Line 11emissions compliance, or reregistered unless the vehicle has passed a

• Page 4, Line 12clean screen test or has a valid certification of emissions control as

• Page 4, Line 13required by the appropriate county. The provisions of This subsection

• Page 4, Line 14(1)(a) do does not apply to motor vehicle transactions at wholesale

• Page 4, Line 15between motor vehicle dealers licensed pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of

• Page 4, Line 16title 44. An inspection is not required prior to the sale of a motor vehicle

• Page 4, Line 17with at least twelve months remaining before the vehicle's certification of

• Page 4, Line 18emissions compliance expires if the certification was issued when the vehicle was new.

• Page 4, Line 19SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-318 as follows:

• Page 4, Line 2042-4-318.  Applicability to kei vehicles.The requirements

• Page 4, Line 21that a motor vehicle obtain or pass an emissions test or obtain

• Page 5, Line 1a certification of emissions compliance, as either is required in this part 3, do not apply to a kei vehicle.

• Page 5, Line 2SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-5-202, add (5) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 342-5-202.  Vehicle identification number inspection. (5)  The

• Page 5, Line 4department of revenue, the agents of the department of

• Page 5, Line 5revenue, the Colorado state patrol, the agents of the Colorado

• Page 5, Line 6state patrol, or a person that has contracted with the

• Page 5, Line 7department of revenue or the Colorado state patrol shall not

• Page 5, Line 8require a vehicle to have an inspection because it is a kei vehicle,

• Page 5, Line 9as defined in section 42-1-102 (45.3), or has the design or

• Page 5, Line 10manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle, as defined in section

• Page 5, Line 1142-1-102 (45.3). This subsection (5) applies for the purposes of both article 6 of this title 42 and part 3 of article 4 of this title 42.

• Page 5, Line 12SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-6-102, amend

• Page 5, Line 13(6.5), (10) introductory portion, (11.5)(b)(I) introductory portion, and (15); and add (6.6) and (6.7) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 1442-6-102.  Definitions. As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 5, Line 15(6.5)  "Kit vehicle" means a passenger-type motor vehicle

• Page 5, Line 16assembled, by other than a licensed manufacturer, from a manufactured

• Page 5, Line 17kit that includes a prefabricated body and chassis and is accompanied by

• Page 5, Line 18a manufacturer's statement of origin "Kei vehicle" has the meaning set forth in section 42-1-102.

• Page 5, Line 19(6.6)  "Kei off-road vehicle" means a vehicle that:

• Page 5, Line 20(a)  Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a

• Page 5, Line 21displacement of one thousand cubic centimeters or less or an electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;

• Page 6, Line 1(b)  Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;

• (c)  Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;

• Page 6, Line 2(d)  Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;

• Page 6, Line 3(e)  Has an enclosed passenger cab;

• Page 6, Line 4(f)  Was imported into the United States as an off-road vehicle; and

• Page 6, Line 5(g)  Has a permanent speed limiter installed before being

• Page 6, Line 6imported into the United States, and the speed limiter is set to stop the vehicle from exceeding twenty-five miles per hour.

• Page 6, Line 7(6.7)  "Kit vehicle" means a passenger-type motor vehicle

• Page 6, Line 8assembled, by other than a licensed manufacturer, from a

• Page 6, Line 9manufactured kit that includes a prefabricated body and

• Page 6, Line 10chassis and is accompanied by a manufacturer's statement of origin.

• Page 6, Line 11(10)  "Motor vehicle" means any a self-propelled vehicle that is

• Page 6, Line 12designed primarily for travel on the public highways and is generally and

• Page 6, Line 13commonly used to transport persons and property over the public

• Page 6, Line 14highways, including autocycles, kei vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, and

• Page 6, Line 15trailer coaches, without motive power. "Motor vehicle" does not include the following:

• Page 6, Line 16(11.5) (b) (I)  Except as described in subsection (11.5)(b)(II) of

• Page 6, Line 17this section, "off-highway vehicle" includes vehicles commonly known

• Page 6, Line 18as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, kei off-road vehicles, and surplus military vehicles but does not include:

• Page 6, Line 19(15) (a)  "Roadworthy" means a condition in which a motor

• Page 7, Line 1vehicle has sufficient power and is fit to operate on the roads and

• Page 7, Line 2highways of this state after visual inspection by appropriate law enforcement authorities.

• Page 7, Line 3(b)  In order to be roadworthy, such a vehicle, in accord with its

• Page 7, Line 4design and use, shall must have all major parts and systems permanently

• Page 7, Line 5attached and functioning and shall must not be repaired in such a manner as to make the vehicle unsafe.

• Page 7, Line 6(c)  For purposes of this subsection (15), As used in this subsection (15):

• Page 7, Line 7(I)  "In accord with its design and use" precludes a kei

• Page 7, Line 8vehicle from being declared to be not roadworthy based on its design or manufacturing parameters.

• Page 7, Line 9(II)  "Major parts and systems" shall include, but not be limited to,

• Page 7, Line 10includes the body of a motor vehicle with related component parts,

• Page 7, Line 11engine, transmission, tires, wheels, seats, exhaust, and brakes and all other equipment required by Colorado law for the particular vehicle.

• Page 7, Line 12SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 44-20-102, amend (16); and add (12.5) as follows:

• Page 7, Line 1344-20-102.  Definitions. As used in this part 1, and in part 4 of this article 20, unless the context or section 44-20-402 otherwise requires:

• Page 7, Line 14(12.5)  "Kei road vehicle" means a "kei vehicle" as defined in section 42-1-102 (45.3).

• Page 7, Line 15(16)  "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle intended primarily for

• Page 7, Line 16use on the public highways that is self-propelled and every vehicle

• Page 7, Line 17intended primarily for operation on the public highways that is not

• Page 7, Line 18self-propelled but is designed to be attached to, become a part of, or be

• Page 7, Line 19drawn by a self-propelled vehicle, not including farm tractors and other

• Page 8, Line 1machines and tools used in the production, harvesting, and care of farm

• Page 8, Line 2products. "Motor vehicle" includes a kei road vehicle or a low-power scooter or autocycle as either is defined in section 42-1-102.

• Page 8, Line 3SECTION 9.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 44-20-131.5 as follows:

• Page 8, Line 444-20-313.5.  Kei road vehicles - no liability for manufacturing

• Page 8, Line 5standards.A person licensed under this part 1 is not liable for

• Page 8, Line 6any damages that are directly or indirectly attributable to

• Page 8, Line 7selling a kei road vehicle that is not manufactured in accordance with United States federal safety standards.

• Page 8, Line 8SECTION 10.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 44-20-402, amend (11)(b) and (11)(c); and add (6.5) and (11)(d) as follows:

• Page 8, Line 944-20-402.  Definitions. As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 8, Line 10(6.5)  "Kei off-road vehicle" means a vehicle that:

• Page 8, Line 11(a)  Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a

• Page 8, Line 12displacement of one thousand cubic centimeters or less or an electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;

• Page 8, Line 13(b)  Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;

• (c)  Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;

• Page 8, Line 14(d)  Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;

• Page 8, Line 15(e)  Has an enclosed passenger cab;

• Page 8, Line 16(f)  Was imported into the United States as an off-road vehicle; and

• Page 8, Line 17(g)  Has a permanent speed limiter installed before being

• Page 8, Line 18imported into the United States, and the speed limiter is set to stop the vehicle from exceeding twenty-five miles per hour.

• Page 9, Line 1(11)  "Powersports vehicle" means any of the following:

• (b)  A personal watercraft; or

• Page 9, Line 2(c)  A snowmobile; or

• (d)  A kei off-road vehicle.

• Page 9, Line 3SECTION 11.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 44-20-432.5 as follows:

• Page 9, Line 444-20-432.5.  Kei off-road vehicles - no liability for

• Page 9, Line 5manufacturing standards.A person licensed under this part 4 is

• Page 9, Line 6not liable for any damages that are directly or indirectly

• Page 9, Line 7attributable to selling a kei off-road vehicle that is not

• Page 9, Line 8manufactured in accordance with United States federal safety standards.

• Page 9, Line 9SECTION 12.  Act subject to petition - effective date -

• Page 9, Line 10applicability. (1)  This act takes effect July 1, 2027; except that, if a

• Page 9, Line 11referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the

• Page 9, Line 12state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act

• Page 9, Line 13within the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general

• Page 9, Line 14assembly, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless

• Page 9, Line 15approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect July 1, 2027.

• Page 9, Line 16(2)  This act applies to applications submitted or offenses committed on or after January 1, 2028.