An Act To Require Snowmobile Safety Training
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13106-A, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §394 and affected by §422, is repealed.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §13114 is enacted to read:
1. Unlawfully operating snowmobile by person 10 years of age to under 16 years of age. Except as provided in subsection 4, a person 10 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may not operate a snowmobile unless that person has successfully completed a training course approved by the department pursuant to subsection 5 and is accompanied by an adult. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
2. Person under 16 years of age crossing public way. A person under 16 years of age may not cross a public way maintained for travel unless the crossing is in accordance with section 13106-A, subsection 5, paragraph B and the person satisfies the requirements of subsection 1. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
3. Permitting an unaccompanied person under 16 years of age to operate a snowmobile. Except as provided in subsection 4, a person may not permit an unaccompanied person 10 years of age or older but under 16 years of age to operate a snowmobile. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
4. Exceptions for certain property. This section does not apply to the operation of a snowmobile on: A. The land on which the operator is domiciled;
B. Land owned or leased by the operator's parent or guardian; or
C. A safety training site approved by the department.
5. Training. A person 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age must successfully complete a training program approved by the department prior to operating a snowmobile except on: A. Land on which that person is domiciled;
B. Land owned or leased by that person's parent or guardian; or
C. A safety training site approved by the department.
A person under 16 years of age must attend the training program with that person's parent or guardian. The training program must include instruction on the safe operation of snowmobiles, the laws pertaining to snowmobiles, the effect of snowmobiles on the environment and ways to minimize that effect, courtesy to landowners and other recreationists and other materials as determined by the department.
SUMMARY
This bill imposes restrictions on the operation of snowmobiles similar to restrictions on the operation of all-terrain vehicles for people 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age.