HF4806

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.