HP0237, LD 293, item 1, An Act To Waive Snowmobile Registration Requirements for Canadians Riding on Maine Trails

An Act To Waive Snowmobile Registration Requirements for Canadians Riding on Maine Trails

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13104, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2009, c. 184, §1, is further amended to read:

7. Snowmobiles of nonresidents. Except as specifically provided in this subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a snowmobile belonging to a nonresident may be possessed or operated by any person in this State as long as the snowmobile is properly registered in this State in the name of a nonresident owner of the snowmobile. Nothing in this subsection authorizes the operation of a snowmobile in a manner contrary to this chapter.

A. A nonresident is ineligible to obtain a resident registration for a snowmobile owned by that nonresident. Snowmobiles and grooming equipment registered to federal or state entities, snowmobile clubs, municipalities or counties from bordering states or provinces and engaged in trail grooming may be operated without being registered under this subsection. Snowmobiles registered in either New Hampshire or Canada may be operated on any lake or pond that is partly in both the State and New Hampshire or Canada without being registered in the State.

B. A snowmobile registered in this State or in New Hampshire may be operated without further registration requirements on those portions of the Maine-New Hampshire Cooperative Trails located in Maine. For purposes of this paragraph, "Maine-New Hampshire Cooperative Trails" means:

(1) New Hampshire Trail 18 as identified in the Success Pond - Grafton Notch area; and

(2) Maine Trail ITS-80 as identified in the Evans Notch area of the White Mountain National Forest.

C. Snowmobiles registered in another state or in a Canadian province may be operated without a Maine registration at a special event or festival organized to occur in this State if such operation is approved by the commissioner. An event or festival organizer must submit a request in writing to the commissioner at least 60 days prior to the event or festival and shall include a map of trails where operation will be allowed.

D. A snowmobile owned or under the control of a snowmobile manufacturer may be operated without a Maine registration at a demonstration event organized to occur in this State if such operation is approved by the commissioner. A snowmobile manufacturer or a representative of a snowmobile manufacturer must submit a request in writing to the commissioner at least 60 days prior to the demonstration event and shall include a description and the location of the event.

E. A snowmobile registered in a Canadian province may be operated without a Maine registration on state-funded snowmobile trails as long as the snowmobile is insured in Canada and the rider belongs to a snowmobile club located in this State. The commissioner shall designate snowmobile clubs for purposes of this paragraph.

The commissioner shall adopt rules regarding the grooming and maintenance of the Maine-New Hampshire Cooperative Trails and reimbursement or payment for those services. The rules must allow reimbursement for grooming and maintenance services to be through direct cash payments by users of the Maine-New Hampshire Cooperative Trails or through in-kind services. The costs of grooming and maintenance must be based on the average per mile costs to Maine and New Hampshire of providing these services. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that a snowmobile registered in a Canadian province may be operated without a Maine registration on state-funded snowmobile trails as long as the snowmobile is insured in Canada and the rider belongs to a snowmobile club located in Maine.

HP0237 LD 293	First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature		LR 1091 Item 1
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