HF4806
Definition of all-terrain vehicle modified, and nonresident all-terrain vehicle state trail pass fee modified.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: SF5121
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Establish a state framework for regulating the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on state and grant-in-aid ATV trails, including a new nonresident trail pass, funding mechanisms for trail construction and maintenance, and a clarified ATV definition.
Key Definitions and Scope
- Allterrain vehicle (ATV) definition changes:
- A motorized vehicle with 3 to 6 low-pressure or nonpneumatic tires.
- Dry weight between 2,000 and 3,500 pounds.
- Width (outside of tire rim) not more than 65 inches.
- Includes class 1 and class 2 ATVs.
- Excludes: electric-assisted bicycles, golf carts, minitrucks, dune buggy, go-cart, and vehicles designed for lawn maintenance, agriculture, logging, or mining.
- This section applies to Minnesota Statutes described (84.92, 84.9275, etc.) and redefines what qualifies as an ATV for regulatory purposes.
Trail Pass Requirement and Fees
- Nonresident and tribal members exempt from registration must carry a valid nonresident ATV state trail pass to operate on state or grant-in-aid ATV trails; pass must be in immediate possession and showable to law enforcement.
- Pass issuance and terms:
- Issued by the Commissioner of Natural Resources (DNR) upon application and payment.
- Fee range: $30 to $50.
- Valid from January 1 to December 31.
- Use of pass revenues:
- Funds (except for the issuing agent fee) go to the all-terrain vehicle account in the Natural Resources Fund and to the electronic licensing system commission.
- These funds must support grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities for ATV trail construction and maintenance and related use areas.
- Exemptions from pass requirement (not all-inclusive):
- An ATV owned and used by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision of those governments that is exempt from registration.
- A person operating an ATV only on the portion of a trail owned by that person or by the person’s spouse, child, or parent.
- A nonresident operating an ATV that is registered under section 84.922.
Effects on Laws and Funding
- Aligns ATV regulation with a fee-based funding model to support trail infrastructure and management.
- Creates a dedicated funding stream from pass revenues to counties/municipalities for ATV organizations to build and maintain trails and use areas.
- Sets inspection rights for peace officers, conservation officers, or designated employees to verify passes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Redefines ATV to include specific tire, weight, and width parameters, and to formally include both class 1 and class 2 ATVs.
- Introduces a mandatory nonresident state trail pass for operating on state/grant-in-aid ATV trails.
- Establishes a new fee structure and annual pass validity window.
- Redirects fee revenues to targeted accounts for trail construction, maintenance, and administration, including funding for local government ATV trail efforts.
- Adds specified exemptions and clarifies who must carry a pass and under what circumstances.
Relevant Terms - allterrain vehicle (ATV), class 1 ATV, class 2 ATV, nonresident, tribal member, registration, state trail pass, nonresident ATV state trail pass, pass in immediate possession, peace officer, conservation officer, grant-in-aid, counties, municipalities, allterrain vehicle account, Natural Resources Fund, electronic licensing system, issuance fee, inspection, trail use areas, weight (2000-3500 pounds), width (65 inches), tire types (low pressure, nonpneumatic), exemptions, Minnesota Statutes 84.92, 84.9275, 84.022, 84.0835, 84.922.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 07, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy | |
| April 09, 2026 | House | Action | Author stricken |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Definition of ATV with 3–6 tires, weight limit of 2000–3500 pounds, and width limit of 65 inches; includes class 1 and class 2 ATVs."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines the allterrain vehicle (ATV) for purposes of the bill, specifying tire count, weight, and width, and explicitly includes class 1 and class 2 ATVs while listing several exclusions.",
"modified": [
"Reworks the ATV definition to set specific physical characteristics and include certain classes of ATV."
]
},
"citation": "84.92",
"subdivision": "8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirement that a nonresident must carry a nonresident ATV state trail pass to operate on a state or grant-in-aid ATV trail.",
"Pass issuance upon application and payment of a fee ($30–$50) with annual validity (January 1 to December 31).",
"Fees deposited to the state treasury and credited to the ATV account; funds used for grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities for ATV trails."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requires nonresident ATV operators to carry a state trail pass and establishes the fee, validity, and funding mechanics for the pass.",
"modified": [
"Creates a structured pass framework and funding mechanism tied to the permit system."
]
},
"citation": "84.9275",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Citation to 84.0835 indicating who can inspect passes (peace officers, conservation officers, or designated employees)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References the use of designated personnel for pass inspection, via section 84.0835.",
"modified": [
"Cross-references existing designation of personnel authorized to inspect passes."
]
},
"citation": "84.0835",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds exemption language from registration under 84.922, subd. 1a, clause 2 for specified owners/entities."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Incorporates a pass- and registration-related exemption framework under 84.922(1a), clause 2, for certain entities or scenarios.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies and expands exemptions from registration for certain federally or state-owned entities and specific usage scenarios on trails."
]
},
"citation": "84.922",
"subdivision": "1a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Reference to the electronic licensing system commission under 84.027(15)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-references the electronic licensing system commission established under 84.027(15) in connection with ATV trail pass administration and grants-in-aid.",
"modified": [
"Links pass-related activities and funding decisions to the electronic licensing system framework."
]
},
"citation": "84.027",
"subdivision": "15"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Uses the definition of electric-assisted bicycle from 169.011(27) to clarify that such bicycles are not ATVs.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to electric-assisted bicycle definition to exclude it from the ATV definition."
]
},
"citation": "169.011",
"subdivision": "27"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee