Senate File 2352 - Introduced



                               SENATE FILE       
                               BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
                                   AND ENVIRONMENT

                               (SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3205)


    Passed Senate, Date               Passed House,  Date             
    Vote:  Ayes        Nays           Vote:  Ayes        Nays         
                 Approved                            

                                      A BILL FOR

  1 An Act relating to the regulation of all=terrain vehicles, and
  2    providing penalties for violations committed by snowmobile or
  3    all=terrain vehicle operators.
  4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
  5 TLSB 5456SV 81
  6 dea/sh/8

PAG LIN



  1  1    Section 1.  Section 321.234A, subsection 1, Code 2005, is
  1  2 amended by adding the following new paragraph:
  1  3    NEW PARAGRAPH.  e.  The all=terrain vehicle is operated for
  1  4 the purpose of mowing, installing approved trail signs, or
  1  5 providing maintenance on a snowmobile or all=terrain vehicle
  1  6 trail designated by the department of natural resources.
  1  7    Sec. 2.  Section 321.234A, subsection 3, Code 2005, is
  1  8 amended to read as follows:
  1  9    3.  An all=terrain vehicle that is owned by the owner of
  1 10 land adjacent to a highway, other than an interstate road, may
  1 11 be operated by the owner of the all=terrain vehicle, or by a
  1 12 member of the owner's family, on the portion of the highway
  1 13 right=of=way that is between the shoulder of the roadway, or
  1 14 at least five feet from the edge of the roadway, and the
  1 15 owner's property line.  A person operating an all=terrain
  1 16 vehicle within the highway right=of=way under this subsection
  1 17 shall comply with the registration, safety, and age
  1 18 requirements under chapter 321I.
  1 19    Sec. 3.  Section 321I.1, Code 2005, is amended by adding
  1 20 the following new subsection:
  1 21    NEW SUBSECTION.  01.  "All=terrain utility vehicle" means a
  1 22 motorized flotation=tire vehicle with not less than four and
  1 23 not more than six low=pressure tires, that is limited in
  1 24 engine displacement to less than one thousand five hundred
  1 25 cubic centimeters and in total dry weight to not more than one
  1 26 thousand eight hundred pounds and that has a seat that is of
  1 27 bench design, not intended to be straddled by the operator,
  1 28 and a steering wheel for control.
  1 29    Sec. 4.  Section 321I.1, subsection 1, Code 2005, is
  1 30 amended to read as follows:
  1 31    1.  a.  "All=terrain vehicle" means a motorized flotation=
  1 32 tire vehicle with not less than three low=pressure tires, but
  1 33 and not more than six low=pressure tires, or a two=wheeled
  1 34 off=road motorcycle, that is limited in engine displacement to
  1 35 less than eight hundred cubic centimeters and in total dry
  2  1 weight to less than eight hundred fifty pounds and that has a
  2  2 seat or saddle designed to be straddled by the operator and
  2  3 handlebars for steering control.
  2  4    b.  Two=wheeled off=road motorcycles shall be considered
  2  5 all=terrain vehicles for the purpose of registration.  Two=
  2  6 wheeled off=road motorcycles shall also be considered all=
  2  7 terrain vehicles for the purpose of titling if a title has not
  2  8 previously been issued pursuant to chapter 321.  An operator
  2  9 of a two=wheeled off=road motorcycle is exempt from the safety
  2 10 instruction and certification program requirements of sections
  2 11 321I.25 and 321I.26.
  2 12    c.  All=terrain utility vehicles shall be considered all=
  2 13 terrain vehicles for the purpose of registration, but are
  2 14 exempt from the titling requirements of this chapter.  An
  2 15 operator of an all=terrain utility vehicle is subject to
  2 16 provisions governing the operation of all=terrain vehicles in
  2 17 section 321.234A and this chapter, but is exempt from the
  2 18 safety instruction and certification program requirements of
  2 19 sections 321I.25 and 321I.26.  A motorized vehicle that was
  2 20 previously titled or is currently titled under chapter 321
  2 21 shall not be registered or operated as an all=terrain utility
  2 22 vehicle.
  2 23    Sec. 5.  Section 321I.1, Code 2005, is amended by adding
  2 24 the following new subsections:
  2 25    NEW SUBSECTION.  5A.  "Designated riding area" means an
  2 26 all=terrain vehicle riding area on any public land or ice
  2 27 under the jurisdiction of the department that has been
  2 28 designated by the department for all=terrain vehicle use.
  2 29    NEW SUBSECTION.  5B.  "Designated riding trail" means an
  2 30 all=terrain vehicle riding trail on any public land or ice
  2 31 under the jurisdiction of the department that has been
  2 32 designated by the department for all=terrain vehicle use.
  2 33    NEW SUBSECTION.  5C.  "Distributor" means a person,
  2 34 resident or nonresident, who sells or distributes all=terrain
  2 35 vehicles to all=terrain vehicle dealers in this state, or who
  3  1 maintains distributor representatives.
  3  2    Sec. 6.  Section 321I.4, Code 2005, is amended to read as
  3  3 follows:
  3  4    321I.4  REGISTRATION WITH COUNTY RECORDER == FEE.
  3  5    1.  The owner of each all=terrain vehicle required to be
  3  6 numbered shall register it annually with the department
  3  7 through the county recorder of the county in which the owner
  3  8 resides or, if the owner is a nonresident, the owner shall
  3  9 register it in the county in which the all=terrain vehicle is
  3 10 principally used.  The department shall develop and maintain
  3 11 an electronic system for the registration of all=terrain
  3 12 vehicles pursuant to this chapter.  The commission has
  3 13 supervisory responsibility over department shall establish
  3 14 forms and procedures as necessary for the registration of all=
  3 15 terrain vehicles and shall provide each county recorder with
  3 16 registration forms and certificates and shall allocate
  3 17 registration numbers to each county.
  3 18    2.  The owner of the all=terrain vehicle shall file an
  3 19 application for registration with the department through the
  3 20 appropriate county recorder on forms provided in the manner
  3 21 established by the commission.  The application shall be
  3 22 completed and signed by the owner of the all=terrain vehicle
  3 23 and shall be accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars and a
  3 24 writing fee.  An all=terrain vehicle shall not be registered
  3 25 by the county recorder until the county recorder is presented
  3 26 with receipts, bills of sale, or other satisfactory evidence
  3 27 that the sales or use tax has been paid for the purchase of
  3 28 the all=terrain vehicle or that the owner is exempt from
  3 29 paying the tax.  An all=terrain vehicle that has an expired
  3 30 registration certificate from another state may be registered
  3 31 in this state upon proper application, payment of all
  3 32 applicable registration and writing fees, and payment of a
  3 33 penalty of five dollars.
  3 34    3.  Upon receipt of the application in approved form
  3 35 accompanied by the required fees, the county recorder shall
  4  1 enter it upon the records register the all=terrain vehicle
  4  2 with the department and shall issue to the applicant a
  4  3 registration certificate.  The certificate shall be executed
  4  4 in triplicate, one copy to be delivered to the owner, one copy
  4  5 to the commission, and one copy to be retained on file by the
  4  6 county recorder.  The registration certificate shall bear the
  4  7 number awarded to the all=terrain vehicle and the name and
  4  8 address of the owner.  The registration certificate shall be
  4  9 carried either in the all=terrain vehicle or on the person of
  4 10 the operator of the all=terrain vehicle when in use.  The
  4 11 operator of an all=terrain vehicle shall exhibit the
  4 12 registration certificate to a peace officer upon request, to a
  4 13 person injured in an accident involving an all=terrain
  4 14 vehicle, to the owner or operator of another all=terrain
  4 15 vehicle or the owner of personal or real property when the
  4 16 all=terrain vehicle is involved in a collision or accident of
  4 17 any nature with another all=terrain vehicle or the property of
  4 18 another person, or to the property owner or tenant when the
  4 19 all=terrain vehicle is being operated on private property
  4 20 without permission from the property owner or tenant.
  4 21    4.  If an all=terrain vehicle is placed in storage, the
  4 22 owner shall return the current registration certificate to the
  4 23 county recorder with an affidavit stating that the all=terrain
  4 24 vehicle is placed in storage and the effective date of
  4 25 storage.  The county recorder shall notify the commission
  4 26 department of each all=terrain vehicle placed in storage.
  4 27 When the owner of a stored all=terrain vehicle desires to
  4 28 renew the registration, the owner shall make application to
  4 29 through the county recorder and pay the registration and
  4 30 writing fees without penalty.  A refund of the registration
  4 31 fee shall not be allowed for a stored all=terrain vehicle.
  4 32    Sec. 7.  Section 321I.5, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 2005,
  4 33 is amended to read as follows:
  4 34    User permits may be issued by a county recorder or a
  4 35 license depositary agent pursuant to rules adopted by the
  5  1 commission.  The fee for a user permit shall be fifteen
  5  2 dollars plus an administrative fee established by the
  5  3 commission.  A county recorder shall retain a writing fee of
  5  4 one dollar from the sale of each user permit issued by the
  5  5 county recorder's office.  The writing fees retained by the
  5  6 county recorder shall be deposited in the general fund of the
  5  7 county.  A license depositary agent designated by the director
  5  8 pursuant to section 483A.11 shall retain a writing fee of one
  5  9 dollar from the sale of each permit issued by the agent.
  5 10    Sec. 8.  Section 321I.7, subsection 4, unnumbered paragraph
  5 11 1, Code 2005, is amended to read as follows:
  5 12    Upon the transfer of ownership of an all=terrain vehicle,
  5 13 the owner shall complete the form on the back of the title, if
  5 14 any, and registration, if any, and deliver both to the
  5 15 purchaser or transferee when the all=terrain vehicle is
  5 16 delivered.  If the all=terrain vehicle is not titled, the
  5 17 owner shall complete the form on the back of the current
  5 18 registration certificate and shall deliver the certificate to
  5 19 the purchaser or transferee at the time of delivering the all=
  5 20 terrain vehicle.  If the all=terrain vehicle has not been
  5 21 titled and has not been registered, the owner shall deliver an
  5 22 affidavit for an unregistered and untitled all=terrain vehicle
  5 23 to the purchaser or transferee.  The purchaser or transferee
  5 24 shall, within thirty days of transfer, file a new application
  5 25 form with the county recorder with a fee of one dollar and the
  5 26 writing fee, and a transfer of number shall be awarded in the
  5 27 same manner as provided in for an original registration.  If
  5 28 the purchaser or transferee does not file a new application
  5 29 form within thirty days of transfer, the transfer of number
  5 30 shall be awarded upon payment of all applicable fees plus a
  5 31 penalty of five dollars.  If the all=terrain vehicle has an
  5 32 expired registration at the time of transfer, the purchaser or
  5 33 transferee shall pay all applicable fees for the current
  5 34 registration period, plus a penalty of five dollars and the
  5 35 appropriate writing fee, and a transfer of number shall be
  6  1 awarded in the same manner as provided for an original
  6  2 registration.
  6  3    Sec. 9.  Section 321I.7, Code 2005, is amended by adding
  6  4 the following new subsection:
  6  5    NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  The department shall develop and
  6  6 maintain an electronic system for residents to renew all=
  6  7 terrain vehicle registrations pursuant to this section.  A
  6  8 county recorder or license agent may issue all=terrain vehicle
  6  9 registration renewals electronically pursuant to rules adopted
  6 10 by the commission.  The fee for a registration renewal issued
  6 11 using an electronic system is fifteen dollars plus an
  6 12 administrative fee established by the commission.  A county
  6 13 recorder shall retain a writing fee of one dollar and twenty=
  6 14 five cents for each registration renewal issued by the county
  6 15 recorder's office.  The writing fees retained by the county
  6 16 recorder shall be deposited in the general fund of the county.
  6 17 A license agent designated by the director pursuant to section
  6 18 483A.11 shall retain a writing fee of one dollar for each
  6 19 registration renewal issued.
  6 20    Sec. 10.  Section 321I.9, subsection 3, Code 2005, is
  6 21 amended by striking the subsection.
  6 22    Sec. 11.  Section 321I.14, subsection 1, paragraph g, Code
  6 23 2005, is amended by striking the paragraph and inserting in
  6 24 lieu thereof the following:
  6 25    g.  In any park, wildlife area, preserve, refuge, game
  6 26 management area, or any portion of a meandered stream, or any
  6 27 portion of the bed of a nonmeandered stream which has been
  6 28 identified as a navigable stream or river by rule adopted by
  6 29 the department and which is covered by water, except on
  6 30 designated riding areas and designated riding trails.  This
  6 31 paragraph does not prohibit the use of ford crossings of
  6 32 public roads or any other ford crossing when used for
  6 33 agricultural purposes; the operation of construction vehicles
  6 34 engaged in lawful construction, repair, or maintenance in a
  6 35 streambed; or the operation of all=terrain vehicles on ice.
  7  1    Sec. 12.  Section 321I.14, subsection 1, Code 2005, is
  7  2 amended by adding the following new paragraph:
  7  3    NEW PARAGRAPH.  i.  On any designated riding area or
  7  4 designated riding trail without wearing the safety equipment
  7  5 required by department rules.
  7  6    Sec. 13.  Section 321I.14, Code 2005, is amended by adding
  7  7 the following new subsections:
  7  8    NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  A person shall not operate an all=
  7  9 terrain utility vehicle on a designated riding area or
  7 10 designated riding trail unless the riding area or trail is
  7 11 signed by the department as open to all=terrain utility
  7 12 vehicle operation.
  7 13    NEW SUBSECTION.  5.  A person shall not operate a vehicle
  7 14 other than an all=terrain vehicle on a designated riding area
  7 15 or designated riding trail unless the riding area or trail is
  7 16 signed by the department as open to such other use.
  7 17    Sec. 14.  Section 321I.16, Code 2005, is amended to read as
  7 18 follows:
  7 19    321I.16  OPERATION PENDING REGISTRATION.
  7 20    The commission shall furnish all=terrain vehicle dealers
  7 21 with pasteboard cards bearing the words "registration applied
  7 22 for" and space for the date of purchase.  An unregistered all=
  7 23 terrain vehicle sold by a dealer shall bear one of these cards
  7 24 which entitles the purchaser to operate it for ten forty=five
  7 25 days immediately following the purchase.  The purchaser of a
  7 26 registered all=terrain vehicle may operate it for ten forty=
  7 27 five days immediately following the purchase, without having
  7 28 completed a transfer of registration.  An all=terrain vehicle
  7 29 dealer shall make application and pay all registration and
  7 30 title fees if applicable on behalf of the purchaser of an all=
  7 31 terrain vehicle.
  7 32    Sec. 15.  Section 321I.21, Code 2005, is amended to read as
  7 33 follows:
  7 34    321I.21  MINORS UNDER TWELVE OPERATION BY MINORS ==
  7 35 SUPERVISION.
  8  1    1.  A person under twelve years of age shall not operate an
  8  2 all=terrain vehicle on public lands unless the person is
  8  3 taking a prescribed safety training course under the direct
  8  4 supervision of a certified all=terrain vehicle safety
  8  5 instructor and a parent or guardian.
  8  6    2.  A person at least twelve years of age but under sixteen
  8  7 years of age shall not operate an all=terrain vehicle on a
  8  8 designated riding area or designated riding trail except when
  8  9 under the direct supervision of a responsible person of at
  8 10 least eighteen years of age who is experienced in all=terrain
  8 11 vehicle operation and who possesses a valid driver's license,
  8 12 as defined in section 321.1, or a safety certificate issued
  8 13 under this chapter.
  8 14    3.  A person under the age of sixteen shall not operate an
  8 15 off=road motorcycle on a designated riding area or designated
  8 16 riding trail except when under the direct supervision of a
  8 17 responsible person of at least eighteen years of age who is
  8 18 experienced in off=road motorcycle operation and who possesses
  8 19 a valid driver's license, as defined in section 321.1, or a
  8 20 safety certificate issued under this chapter.
  8 21    Sec. 16.  Section 321I.22, subsection 2, Code 2005, is
  8 22 amended to read as follows:
  8 23    2.  Any Every manufacturer, distributor, or dealer may
  8 24 shall register with the department and, upon payment of a fee
  8 25 of fifteen dollars, make application to the commission, upon
  8 26 forms prescribed by the commission, for a special registration
  8 27 certificate containing a general identification number and for
  8 28 one or more duplicate special registration certificates.  The
  8 29 applicant shall submit reasonable proof of the applicant's
  8 30 status as a bona fide manufacturer, distributor, or dealer as
  8 31 may be required by the commission.
  8 32    Sec. 17.  Section 321I.26, subsection 2, Code 2005, is
  8 33 amended to read as follows:
  8 34    2.  Upon application and payment of a fee of five twenty
  8 35 dollars, a qualified applicant shall be issued a safety
  9  1 certificate which is valid until the certificate is suspended
  9  2 or revoked for a violation of a provision of this chapter or a
  9  3 rule of the commission or the director of transportation.  The
  9  4 application shall be made on forms issued by the commission
  9  5 and shall contain information as the commission may reasonably
  9  6 require.
  9  7    Sec. 18.  NEW SECTION.  321I.36  REPEAT OFFENDER ==
  9  8 RECORDS, ENFORCEMENT, AND PENALTIES.
  9  9    1.  The commission shall establish by rule a recordkeeping
  9 10 system and other administrative procedures necessary to
  9 11 administer this section.
  9 12    2.  A person who pleads guilty or is convicted of a
  9 13 violation of any provision of this chapter while the person's
  9 14 registration privilege is suspended or revoked under
  9 15 administrative procedures is guilty of a simple misdemeanor if
  9 16 the person had no other violations within the previous three
  9 17 years which occurred while the person's registration privilege
  9 18 was suspended or revoked.
  9 19    3.  A person who pleads guilty or is convicted of a
  9 20 violation of any provision of this chapter while the person's
  9 21 registration privilege is suspended or revoked under
  9 22 administrative procedures is guilty of a serious misdemeanor
  9 23 if the person had one other violation within the previous
  9 24 three years which occurred while the person's registration
  9 25 privilege was suspended or revoked.
  9 26    4.  A person who pleads guilty or is convicted of a
  9 27 violation of any provision of this chapter while the person's
  9 28 registration privilege is suspended or revoked under
  9 29 administrative procedures is guilty of an aggravated
  9 30 misdemeanor if the person had two or more convictions within
  9 31 the previous three years which occurred while the person's
  9 32 registration privilege was suspended or revoked.
  9 33    Sec. 19.  Section 805.8B, subsection 2, Code 2005, is
  9 34 amended to read as follows:
  9 35    2.  SNOWMOBILE AND ALL=TERRAIN VEHICLE VIOLATIONS.
 10  1    a.  For registration or user permit violations under
 10  2 sections section 321G.3 and 321I.3, the scheduled fine is
 10  3 twenty fifty dollars.  When the scheduled fine is paid, the
 10  4 violator shall submit sufficient proof that a valid
 10  5 registration or user permit has been obtained.
 10  6    b.  (1)  For operating violations under section 321G.9,
 10  7 subsections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, sections the scheduled
 10  8 fine is fifty dollars.
 10  9    (2)  For operating violations under sections 321G.11, and
 10 10 321G.13, subsection 1, paragraph "d", sections 321I.10,
 10 11 321I.12, and 321I.14, subsection 1, paragraph "d", the
 10 12 scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
 10 13    (3)  For operating violations under section 321G.13,
 10 14 subsection 1, paragraphs "a", "b", "e", "f", "g", and "h", and
 10 15 subsections 2 and 3, the scheduled fine is one hundred
 10 16 dollars.
 10 17    c.  For improper or defective equipment under sections
 10 18 section 321G.12 and 321I.13, the scheduled fine is twenty
 10 19 dollars.
 10 20    d.  For violations of sections section 321G.19 and 321I.20,
 10 21 the scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
 10 22    e.  For identification violations under sections section
 10 23 321G.5 and 321I.6, the scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
 10 24    f.  For stop signal violations under section 321G.17, the
 10 25 scheduled fine is one hundred dollars.
 10 26    g.  For violations of section 321G.20, the scheduled fine
 10 27 is fifty dollars.
 10 28    Sec. 20.  Section 805.8B, Code 2005, is amended by adding
 10 29 the following new subsection:
 10 30    NEW SUBSECTION.  2A.  ALL=TERRAIN VEHICLE VIOLATIONS.
 10 31    a.  For registration or user permit violations under
 10 32 section 321I.3, the scheduled fine is fifty dollars.  When the
 10 33 scheduled fine is paid, the violator shall submit sufficient
 10 34 proof that a valid registration or user permit has been
 10 35 obtained.
 11  1    b.  (1)  For operating violations under sections 321I.12,
 11  2 and 321I.14, subsection 1, paragraphs "d" and "i", the
 11  3 scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
 11  4    (2)  For operating violations under section 321I.10,
 11  5 subsections 1 and 4, and section 321I.21, the scheduled fine
 11  6 is fifty dollars.
 11  7    (3)  For operating violations under section 321I.14,
 11  8 subsection 1, paragraphs "a", "e", "f", "g", and "h", and
 11  9 subsections 2, 3, 4, and 5, the scheduled fine is one hundred
 11 10 dollars.
 11 11    c.  For improper or defective equipment under section
 11 12 321I.13, the scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
 11 13    d.  For violations of section 321I.20, the scheduled fine
 11 14 is twenty dollars.
 11 15    e.  For identification violations under section 321I.6, the
 11 16 scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
 11 17    f.  For stop signal violations under section 321I.18, the
 11 18 scheduled fine is one hundred dollars.
 11 19    g.  For safety certificate violations under section
 11 20 321I.26, subsection 1, the scheduled fine is fifty dollars.
 11 21    h.  For violations of section 321I.22, the scheduled fine
 11 22 is one hundred dollars.
 11 23                           EXPLANATION
 11 24    This bill makes numerous changes to provisions relating to
 11 25 the ownership and use of all=terrain vehicles, as regulated by
 11 26 the department of natural resources.
 11 27    The bill amends Code section 321.234A to allow the
 11 28 operation of an all=terrain vehicle on a highway when the
 11 29 vehicle is operated for the purpose of mowing, installing
 11 30 trail signs, or providing maintenance of designated trails.
 11 31 In addition, the bill specifies that the owner of an all=
 11 32 terrain vehicle or member of the owner's family who operates
 11 33 the all=terrain vehicle within the area between the shoulder
 11 34 of the roadway and the owner's property line must comply with
 11 35 the registration, safety, and age requirements applicable to
 12  1 operators on public land.
 12  2    The bill defines "all=terrain utility vehicles", which are
 12  3 larger vehicles with at least four wheels and outfitted with a
 12  4 bench seat.  The bill subjects such vehicles to the
 12  5 registration requirements, but not the titling requirements,
 12  6 applicable to all=terrain vehicles, and specifies where they
 12  7 may be operated.  The terms "designated riding area" and
 12  8 "designated riding trail" are defined as those areas and
 12  9 trails designated by the department for all=terrain vehicle
 12 10 use.
 12 11    The bill provides for electronic registration of all=
 12 12 terrain vehicles through county recorders and requires the
 12 13 department to develop and maintain an electronic system for
 12 14 renewal of all=terrain vehicle registrations by license
 12 15 agents.  Electronic registration renewals are subject to the
 12 16 current annual registration fee of $15, plus an administrative
 12 17 fee to be established by the natural resource commission, and
 12 18 a $1 writing fee for license agents or a $1.25 writing fee for
 12 19 county recorders.
 12 20    The bill provides that when an all=terrain vehicle with
 12 21 expired registration transfers ownership, the purchaser or
 12 22 transferee shall pay the fees for the current registration
 12 23 period, plus a $5 penalty and a writing fee.
 12 24    The bill strikes the current registration exemption for
 12 25 nonresidents' all=terrain vehicles that are licensed or
 12 26 registered in another state and are in this state for not more
 12 27 than 20 days.
 12 28    The bill expands the description of the types of public
 12 29 areas that are off=limits for all=terrain vehicle operators.
 12 30    The bill adds a new provision relating to the use of safety
 12 31 equipment required by department rules by a person operating
 12 32 an all=terrain vehicle on a designated riding area or trail.
 12 33 A violation of the requirement is a simple misdemeanor subject
 12 34 to a scheduled fine of $20.
 12 35    The bill prohibits all=terrain utility vehicle operation on
 13  1 designated riding areas or trails unless the department has
 13  2 signed the area or trail for such use.  The bill provides a
 13  3 similar prohibition against operating any other type of
 13  4 vehicle on an area or trail designated for all=terrain
 13  5 vehicles.  A violation of either provision is a simple
 13  6 misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $100.
 13  7    The bill extends, from 10 to 45 days, the period of time a
 13  8 purchaser of a new or used all=terrain vehicle may operate the
 13  9 vehicle pending registration.
 13 10    The bill imposes new requirements for the supervision of
 13 11 children operating vehicles on designated riding areas or
 13 12 trails.  Under current law, a person under age 12 may not
 13 13 operate an all=terrain vehicle except while taking a safety
 13 14 course under the direct supervision of a certified instructor
 13 15 and a parent or guardian.  The bill requires that a person who
 13 16 is at least 12 but under 16 years of age must be supervised by
 13 17 a responsible person at least 18 years of age when operating
 13 18 an all=terrain vehicle, and a person who is under 16 years of
 13 19 age must be supervised by a responsible person at least 18
 13 20 years of age when operating an off=road motorcycle.  The
 13 21 supervising adult must be experienced in the vehicle's
 13 22 operation and possess a valid driver's license or an all=
 13 23 terrain vehicle safety certificate.  A person who violates any
 13 24 of the requirements for operators under age 16 is subject to a
 13 25 scheduled fine of $50.
 13 26    The bill requires every all=terrain vehicle manufacturer,
 13 27 distributor, or dealer to register annually with the
 13 28 department for a fee of $15, which qualifies the registrant to
 13 29 be issued a special registration certificate with a general
 13 30 identification number.  Additional duplicate certificates are
 13 31 issued for $2 each.  All=terrain vehicles may be operated
 13 32 temporarily under such registration.  Current law provides for
 13 33 annual registration upon payment of the $15 fee on a voluntary
 13 34 basis.  The bill provides that violations of requirements
 13 35 relating to registration by manufacturers, distributors, and
 14  1 dealers are punishable by a scheduled fine of $100.
 14  2    The bill increases the fee for issuance of a safety
 14  3 certificate from $5 to $20.
 14  4    The bill revises existing penalties for certain violations
 14  5 by all=terrain vehicle operators.  For a violation of
 14  6 registration or user permit requirements in Code section
 14  7 321I.3, the scheduled fine is increased from $20 to $50.  For
 14  8 operating an all=terrain vehicle on a highway or snowmobile
 14  9 trail in violation of Code section 321I.10, the scheduled fine
 14 10 is increased from $20 to $50.  For unlawful operation
 14 11 violations under Code section 321I.14, other than careless
 14 12 operation, operating while intoxicated, and headlight and
 14 13 taillight violations, and for disregarding a peace officer's
 14 14 signal to stop or eluding a peace officer under Code section
 14 15 321I.18, the penalty is changed from a simple misdemeanor to a
 14 16 simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation,
 14 17 subject to a $100 fine.  The penalty for a violation of safety
 14 18 certificate requirements under Code section 321I.26 is changed
 14 19 from a simple misdemeanor to a simple misdemeanor punishable
 14 20 as a scheduled violation, subject to a fine of $50.
 14 21    The bill revises penalties for certain violations by
 14 22 snowmobile operators.  For a violation of registration or user
 14 23 permit requirements in Code section 321G.3, the scheduled fine
 14 24 is increased from $20 to $50.  For a violation of operating
 14 25 restrictions on highways in Code section 321G.9, the scheduled
 14 26 fine is increased from $20 to $50.  For unlawful operation
 14 27 violations under Code section 321G.13, other than operating
 14 28 while intoxicated and headlight and taillight violations, and
 14 29 for disregarding a peace officer's signal to stop or eluding a
 14 30 peace officer under Code section 321G.17, the penalty is
 14 31 changed from a simple misdemeanor to a simple misdemeanor
 14 32 punishable as a scheduled violation, subject to a $100 fine.
 14 33 The bill provides that an owner or operator who permits a
 14 34 person under 12 years of age to operate a snowmobile or a
 14 35 person under 12 years of age who unlawfully operates a
 15  1 snowmobile under Code section 321G.20 commits a simple
 15  2 misdemeanor subject to a scheduled fine of $50.
 15  3    The bill requires the natural resource commission to
 15  4 administer a repeat offender system, with escalating penalties
 15  5 for all=terrain vehicle violations committed by a person whose
 15  6 registration privileges have been suspended or revoked under
 15  7 administrative procedures.  For the first such offense
 15  8 committed within a three=year period, the penalty is a simple
 15  9 misdemeanor; for the second such violation, the penalty is a
 15 10 serious misdemeanor; for the third and subsequent violations,
 15 11 the penalty is an aggravated misdemeanor.  This system mirrors
 15 12 the penalty schedule for repeated violations of hunting and
 15 13 fishing laws.
 15 14 LSB 5456SV 81
 15 15 dea:nh/sh/8