SF5121

Purpose

Clarify what counts as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for state trails, and create a funding mechanism by requiring nonresidents (and certain others) to have a state trail pass. The bill also channels pass fees into grants to counties and municipalities to build and maintain ATV trails and use areas.

Main Provisions

• Redefined ATV definition

  • An ATV is a motorized vehicle with:
  • 3 to 6 low-pressure or nonpneumatic tires
  • total dry weight between 2,000 and 3,500 pounds
  • total width (outside of tire rims) of 65 inches or less
  • This definition includes Class 1 and Class 2 ATVs.
  • Vehicles excluded from the ATV definition: electric-assisted bicycles, golf carts, minitrucks, dune buggies, go-carts, and vehicles designed and used specifically for lawn maintenance, agriculture, logging, or mining.

• Nonresident (and certain other) pass requirements

  • A nonresident ATV operator must carry a valid nonresident ATV state trail pass in immediate possession to operate on state or grant-in-aid ATV trails.
  • A tribal member who is exempt from registration may also not operate on trails without the pass in immediate possession.
  • The pass must be available for inspection by law enforcement or designated employees.

• Pass issuance and duration

  • The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues the pass upon application and payment of a specified fee.
  • The pass is valid for the calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
  • Fees collected (with certain exceptions) go into the state treasury and are credited to the ATV account in the Natural Resources Fund.

• Funding and use of revenues

  • Funds from the pass (excluding the issuing fee for licensing agents) are used for grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities to build and maintain ATV trails and use areas.
  • The electronic licensing system commission receipts are an exception to this use rule.

• Exemptions from the pass requirement

  • The pass is not required for:
  • ATVs owned and used by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision that is exempt from registration.
  • A person operating an ATV only on the trail portion owned by that person or their spouse, child, or parent.
  • A nonresident operating an ATV that is registered under the relevant registration provisions.

Significant Changes to Law

• Definitions shift: ATVs are specifically defined by tire count, weight, and width, expanding or tightening what qualifies as an ATV on state trails.
• Fee and funding reform: Introduction of a nonresident state trail pass with a dedicated annual validity period, and a funding stream that directs most pass revenues to grants for trail construction and maintenance.
• Accessibility and exemptions: Adds explicit exemptions to the pass requirement for certain ownership or ownership-wide uses and for government-owned or specially registered ATVs.
• Administrative mechanics: Establishes the issuance process, in-hand possession requirement, and inspector rights, aligning enforcement with the new definition and fee structure.

Practical Impact

• Nonresident ATV users will face a new annual pass requirement to use Minnesota state or grant-funded ATV trails.
• Trail funding will increasingly come from pass revenues, supporting local trail projects.
• Some vehicles and government or privately registered scenarios remain exempt, potentially limiting the reach of the new fees.

Relevant Terms - allterrain vehicle (ATV) - Class 1 ATV - Class 2 ATV - nonresident ATV state trail pass - state trail - grants-in-aid (to counties and municipalities) - ATV account - Natural Resources Fund - electronic licensing system - licensing agents - peace officer / conservation officer (enforcement) - 84.92 subdivision 8 (definition section) - 84.9275 subdivision 1 (pass, fees, exemptions) - low-pressure tires - nonpneumatic tires - vehicle weight (2,000–3,500 pounds) - vehicle width (65 inches or less) - exemptions: electric-assisted bicycle, golf cart, minitruck, dune buggy, go-cart; lawn maintenance, agriculture, logging, mining vehicles - tribal member exemption from registration (and pass requirement) - grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities for ATV trails and use areas - pass in immediate possession - grant-funded ATV trails and use areas - state treasury deposit of pass fees - inspection rights for pass (by peace officers/conservation officers)