SF4318

Purpose

• This bill aims to control how trails that receive state grants are used, by letting local governments decide whether a trail should be used for motorized or nonmotorized activities, and when. The goal is to organize trail use in a way that balances safety, public welfare, and landowner agreements.

Main Provisions

• Authority to designate uses
  • Local governments that receive state grants-in-aid for a trail, with approval from the state commissioner and the landowner or land lessee, may designate the trail for:
  • Snowmobile use or nonmotorized use during December 1 through April 1.
  • For trails funded under specific grant programs (84.794, 84.803, 84.927), designate use at various times of the year for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway vehicles (OHVs), off-road motorcycles, or for nonmotorized uses such as ski touring, snowshoeing, and hiking. They may designate multiple uses following the same process and may issue required permits.
• Joint use
  • Some trails may be designated for joint use by snowmobiles, OHVs, ATVs, and off-road vehicles (ORVs), allowing multiple types of use.
• Electric-assisted bicycles
  • Local governments cannot prohibit or overly restrict electric-assisted bicycles on trails designated for bicycle or nonmotorized use unless doing so is necessary for safety, general welfare, or to protect property interests.
• Nonmotorized-use rules
  • No motorized vehicle may operate on a trail designated for nonmotorized use only, with exceptions for motorized wheelchairs or other motorized devices used by a person with a disability, or for electric-assisted bicycles as defined by law.
• New designation requirement for nonmotorized use on grants-in-aid trails
  • Trails funded with state grants-in-aid under the listed sections are closed to nonmotorized use unless they have been designated for nonmotorized use using the same designation process used for motorized use.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a formal process to designate nonmotorized use on trails that receive state grants, effectively closing such trails to non-designated nonmotorized use.
• Establishes specific time-based designations (e.g., December 1 to April 1) and allows for joint-use designations, expanding how trails can be managed year-round.
• Aligns designation procedures across different grant programs, potentially streamlining approvals and permits.
• Clarifies the treatment of electric-assisted bicycles on trails, granting local governments the ability to restrict use only when safety or other concerns justify it.

Implications and Context

• Local governments gain clearer authority to manage trail use and balance motorized and nonmotorized activities, alongside landowner approvals.
• Trail users may face more formal designation requirements and possible seasonal restrictions or joint-use arrangements.
• The bill emphasizes safety and landowner interests, while aiming to prevent conflicts between different types of trail users, including considerations for electric-assisted bicycles.
• Nonmotorized trails may become more protected unless actively designated for nonmotorized use.

Relevant Terms - grants-in-aid - local government unit - concurrence of the commissioner - landowner or land lessee - snowmobiles - nonmotorized use - all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) - offhighway vehicles (OHVs) - offroad motorcycles - joint use - electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) - ski touring - snowshoeing - hiking - motorized vehicles - motorized use - designated for nonmotorized use - permits - seasonally designated trails (e.g., December 1 to April 1)