Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF609 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1.1 A bill for an act
2	2	1.2 relating to natural resources; modernizing statutes related to the registration,
3	3	1.3 transfer, and operation of snowmobiles; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022,
4	4	1.4 sections 84.788, subdivision 5; 84.82, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision;
5	5	1.5 84.821, subdivision 2; 84.84; 84.86, subdivision 1; 84.87, subdivision 1; repealing
6	6	1.6 Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5000, subparts 3, 4, 5; 6100.5700, subpart 4.
7	7	1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
8	8	1.8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.788, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
9	9	1.9 Subd. 5.Report of ownership transfers; fee.(a) Application for transfer of ownership
10	10	1.10of an off-highway motorcycle registered under this section must be made to the commissioner
11	11	1.11within 15 days of the date of transfer.
12	12	1.12 (b) An application for transfer must be executed by the registered current owner and the
13	13	1.13purchaser using a bill of sale that includes the vehicle serial number.
14	14	1.14 (c) The purchaser is subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.774 if the purchaser
15	15	1.15fails to apply for transfer of ownership as provided under this subdivision.
16	16	1.16 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
17	17	1.17 Subd. 2.Application, issuance, issuing fee.(a) Application for registration or
18	18	1.18reregistration shall be made to the commissioner or an authorized deputy registrar of motor
19	19	1.19vehicles in a format prescribed by the commissioner and shall state the legal name and
20	20	1.20address of every owner of the snowmobile.
21	21	1.21 (b) A person who purchases a snowmobile from a retail dealer shall make application
22	22	1.22for registration to the dealer at the point of sale. The dealer shall issue a dealer temporary
23	23	1Sec. 2.
24	24	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22
25	25	State of Minnesota
26	26	This Document can be made available
27	27	in alternative formats upon request
28	28	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
29	29	H. F. No. 609
30	30	NINETY-THIRD SESSION
31	31	Authored by Hansen, R.,01/19/2023
32	32	The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy 2.121-day registration permit to each purchaser who applies to the dealer for registration. The
33	33	2.2temporary permit must contain the dealer's identification number and phone number. Each
34	34	2.3retail dealer shall submit completed registration and fees to the deputy registrar at least once
35	35	2.4a week. No fee may be charged by a dealer to a purchaser for providing the temporary
36	36	2.5permit.
37	37	2.6 (c) Upon receipt of the application and the appropriate fee, the commissioner or deputy
38	38	2.7registrar shall issue to the applicant, or provide to the dealer, an assigned registration number
39	39	2.8or a commissioner or deputy registrar temporary 21-day permit. The registration number
40	40	2.9must be printed on a registration decal issued by the commissioner or a deputy registrar.
41	41	2.10Once issued, the registration number decal must be affixed to the snowmobile in a clearly
42	42	2.11visible and permanent manner for enforcement purposes as the commissioner of natural
43	43	2.12resources shall prescribe according to subdivision 3b. A dealer subject to paragraph (b)
44	44	2.13shall provide the registration materials or temporary permit to the purchaser within the
45	45	2.14temporary 21-day permit period. The registration is not valid unless signed by at least one
46	46	2.15owner.
47	47	2.16 (d) Each deputy registrar of motor vehicles acting pursuant to section 168.33 shall also
48	48	2.17be a deputy registrar of snowmobiles. The commissioner of natural resources in agreement
49	49	2.18with the commissioner of public safety may prescribe the accounting and procedural
50	50	2.19requirements necessary to ensure efficient handling of registrations and registration fees.
51	51	2.20Deputy registrars shall strictly comply with these accounting and procedural requirements.
52	52	2.21 (e) In addition to other fees prescribed by law, an issuing fee of $4.50 is charged for
53	53	2.22each snowmobile registration renewal, duplicate or replacement registration card, and
54	54	2.23replacement decal, and an issuing fee of $7 is charged for each snowmobile registration and
55	55	2.24registration transfer issued by:
56	56	2.25 (1) a registrar or a deputy registrar and must be deposited in the manner provided in
57	57	2.26section 168.33, subdivision 2; or
58	58	2.27 (2) the commissioner and must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the
59	59	2.28snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund.
60	60	2.29 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.82, is amended by adding a subdivision to
61	61	2.30read:
62	62	2.31 Subd. 3b.Display of registration decal.(a) A person must not operate a snowmobile
63	63	2.32in the state or allow another to operate the person's snowmobile in the state unless the
64	64	2Sec. 3.
65	65	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22 3.1snowmobile has its unexpired registration decal affixed to each side of the snowmobile and
66	66	3.2the decals are legible.
67	67	3.3 (b) The registration decal must be affixed:
68	68	3.4 (1) for snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972, in the areas provided by the manufacturer
69	69	3.5under section 84.821, subdivision 2; and
70	70	3.6 (2) for all other snowmobiles, on each side of the cowling on the upper half of the
71	71	3.7snowmobile.
72	72	3.8 (c) When any previously affixed registration decal is destroyed or lost, a duplicate must
73	73	3.9be affixed in the same manner as provided in paragraph (b).
74	74	3.10 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.821, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
75	75	3.11 Subd. 2.Area for registration number.All snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972,
76	76	3.12and sold in Minnesota, shall be designed and made to provide an area on which to affix the
77	77	3.13registration number decal. This area shall be at a location and of dimensions prescribed by
78	78	3.14rule of the commissioner. A clear area must be provided on each side of the cowling with
79	79	3.15a minimum size of 3-1/2 square inches and at least 12 inches from the ground when the
80	80	3.16machine is resting on a hard surface.
81	81	3.17 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.84, is amended to read:
82	82	3.18 84.84 TRANSFER OR TERMINATION OF SNOWMOBILE OWNERSHIP.
83	83	3.19 (a) Within 15 days after the transfer of ownership, or any part thereof, other than a
84	84	3.20security interest, or the destruction or abandonment of any snowmobile, written notice of
85	85	3.21the transfer or destruction or abandonment shall be given to the commissioner in such form
86	86	3.22as the commissioner shall prescribe.
87	87	3.23 (b) An application for transfer must be executed by the registered current owner and the
88	88	3.24purchaser using a bill of sale that includes the vehicle serial number.
89	89	3.25 (c) The purchaser is subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.88 if the purchaser
90	90	3.26fails to apply for transfer of ownership as provided under this subdivision. Every owner or
91	91	3.27part owner of a snowmobile shall, upon failure to give notice of destruction or abandonment,
92	92	3.28be subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.88.
93	93	3Sec. 5.
94	94	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22 4.1 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
95	95	4.2 Subdivision 1.Required rules, fees, and reports.(a) With a view of achieving maximum
96	96	4.3use of snowmobiles consistent with protection of the environment the commissioner of
97	97	4.4natural resources shall adopt rules in the manner provided by chapter 14, for the following
98	98	4.5purposes:
99	99	4.6 (1) registration of snowmobiles and display of registration numbers.;
100	100	4.7 (2) use of snowmobiles insofar as game and fish resources are affected.;
101	101	4.8 (3) use of snowmobiles on public lands and waters, or on grant-in-aid trails.;
102	102	4.9 (4) uniform signs to be used by the state, counties, and cities, which are necessary or
103	103	4.10desirable to control, direct, or regulate the operation and use of snowmobiles.;
104	104	4.11 (5) specifications relating to snowmobile mufflers.; and
105	105	4.12 (6) a comprehensive snowmobile information and safety education and training program,
106	106	4.13including that includes but is not limited to the preparation and dissemination of preparing
107	107	4.14and disseminating snowmobile information and safety advice to the public, the training of
108	108	4.15snowmobile operators, and the issuance of issuing snowmobile safety certificates to
109	109	4.16snowmobile operators who successfully complete the snowmobile safety education and
110	110	4.17training course.
111	111	4.18 (b) For the purpose of administering such the program under paragraph (a), clause (6),
112	112	4.19and to defray expenses of training and certifying snowmobile operators, the commissioner
113	113	4.20shall collect a fee from each person who receives the youth or adult training. The
114	114	4.21commissioner shall collect a fee, to include a $1 issuing fee for licensing agents, for issuing
115	115	4.22a duplicate snowmobile safety certificate. The commissioner shall establish both fees in a
116	116	4.23manner that neither significantly overrecovers nor underrecovers costs, including overhead
117	117	4.24costs, involved in providing the services. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions
118	118	4.25of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply. The fees may be established by the
119	119	4.26commissioner notwithstanding section 16A.1283. The fees, except for the issuing fee for
120	120	4.27licensing agents under this subdivision, shall be deposited in the snowmobile trails and
121	121	4.28enforcement account in the natural resources fund and the amount thereof, except for the
122	122	4.29electronic licensing system commission established by the commissioner under section
123	123	4.3084.027, subdivision 15, and issuing fees collected by the commissioner, is appropriated
124	124	4.31annually to the Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources for the
125	125	4.32administration of such administering the programs. In addition to the fee established by the
126	126	4.33commissioner, instructors may charge each person any fee paid by the instructor for the
127	127	4Sec. 6.
128	128	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22 5.1person's online training course and up to the established fee amount for class materials and
129	129	5.2expenses. The commissioner shall cooperate with private organizations and associations,
130	130	5.3private and public corporations, and local governmental units in furtherance of the program
131	131	5.4established under this paragraph (a), clause (6). School districts may cooperate with the
132	132	5.5commissioner and volunteer instructors to provide space for the classroom portion of the
133	133	5.6training. The commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of public safety in regard
134	134	5.7to training program subject matter and performance testing that leads to the certification of
135	135	5.8snowmobile operators.
136	136	5.9 (7) (c) The operator of any snowmobile involved in an accident resulting in injury
137	137	5.10requiring medical attention or hospitalization to or death of any person or total damage to
138	138	5.11an extent of $500 or more, shall forward a written report of the accident to the commissioner
139	139	5.12on such a form as prescribed by the commissioner shall prescribe. If the operator is killed
140	140	5.13or is unable to file a report due to incapacitation, any peace officer investigating the accident
141	141	5.14shall file the accident report within ten business days.
142	142	5.15 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.87, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
143	143	5.16 Subdivision 1.Operation on streets and highways.(a) No person shall operate a
144	144	5.17snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any trunk, county
145	145	5.18state-aid, or county highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or county
146	146	5.19highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as provided in
147	147	5.20sections 84.81 to 84.90. No person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of
148	148	5.21any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after
149	149	5.22sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way
150	150	5.23and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent
151	151	5.24thereto. No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate
152	152	5.25highway or freeway within this state.
153	153	5.26 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the contrary:
154	154	5.27 (1) under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of transportation, the commissioner
155	155	5.28of transportation may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk
156	156	5.29highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation determines that two-way
157	157	5.30operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using
158	158	5.31the trail;
159	159	5.32 (2) under conditions prescribed by a local road authority as defined in section 160.02,
160	160	5.33subdivision 25, the road authority may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either
161	161	5.34side of the right-of-way of a street or highway under the road authority's jurisdiction, where
162	162	5Sec. 7.
163	163	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22 6.1the road authority determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the street
164	164	6.2or highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail;
165	165	6.3 (3) the commissioner of transportation under clause (1) and the local road authority
166	166	6.4under clause (2) shall notify the commissioner of natural resources and the local law
167	167	6.5enforcement agencies responsible for the streets or highways of the locations of two-way
168	168	6.6snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph; and
169	169	6.7 (4) two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph shall be posted for
170	170	6.8two-way operation at the authorized locations.
171	171	6.9 (c) A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the
172	172	6.10day provided:
173	173	6.11 (1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the
174	174	6.12highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
175	175	6.13 (2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main
176	176	6.14traveled way of the highway;
177	177	6.15 (3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an
178	178	6.16immediate hazard;
179	179	6.17 (4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such
180	180	6.18highway with another public street or highway or at a safe location approved by the road
181	181	6.19authority;
182	182	6.20 (5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half
183	183	6.21hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights
184	184	6.22are on; and
185	185	6.23 (6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than a bridge that is part of the
186	186	6.24main traveled lanes of an interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding
187	187	6.25obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is possible; provided the
188	188	6.26snowmobile is operated in the extreme right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made
189	189	6.27within 100 feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay.
190	190	6.28 (d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped
191	191	6.29with at least one headlamp, one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by
192	192	6.30rules of the commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 square inches mounted
193	193	6.31on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to
194	194	6.32standards prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the authority vested in the
195	195	6Sec. 7.
196	196	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22 7.1commissioner by section 84.86, and each of which shall be subject to approval of the
197	197	7.2commissioner of public safety.
198	198	7.3 (e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided
199	199	7.4by paragraph (c) in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where
200	200	7.5snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
201	201	7.6 (f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles
202	202	7.7upon streets and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and except those
203	203	7.8which by their nature have no application. Section 169.09 applies to the operation of
204	204	7.9snowmobiles anywhere in the state or on the ice of any boundary water of the state.
205	205	7.10 (g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a snowmobile must be equipped
206	206	7.11with reflective materials as required by rule of the commissioner.
207	207	7.12 Sec. 8. REGISTRATION DECAL FORMAT TRANSITION.
208	208	7.13 Separately displaying registration numbers is not required when a larger-format
209	209	7.14registration decal as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82, subdivision 2, is
210	210	7.15displayed according to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82, subdivision 3b. Snowmobiles
211	211	7.16displaying valid but older, smaller-format registration decals must display the separate
212	212	7.17registration numbers. Persons may obtain duplicate registration decals in the new, larger
213	213	7.18format, when available, without being required to display the separate registration numbers.
214	214	7.19 Sec. 9. REPEALER.
215	215	7.20 Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5000, subparts 3, 4, and 5; and 6100.5700, subpart 4, are
216	216	7.21repealed.
217	217	7Sec. 9.
218	218	REVISOR CKM/HL 23-0064112/12/22 6100.5000SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION AND DISPLAY OF NUMBERS.
219	219	Subp. 3.Affixation of number.The registration number of the snowmobile, shown
220	220	on the registration certificate, shall be affixed to the snowmobile and maintained in a clear,
221	221	legible manner. On all machines made after June 30, 1972, and sold in Minnesota, such
222	222	registration number shall be affixed in the space provided therefor in accordance with part
223	223	6100.5700, subpart 4. On all other machines it shall be affixed on each side of the cowling
224	224	on the upper half of the machine, as follows.
225	225	[ Image Not Shown ]
226	226	Subp. 4.Description of decal or number; lost or destroyed number or decal.All
227	227	letters and numbers shall be of a color which will contrast with the surface to which applied,
228	228	and shall be at least three inches high and three-eighths inch stroke. When any previously
229	229	affixed registration number or decal is destroyed or lost, a duplicate shall be affixed in the
230	230	manner shown above. The registration number shall remain the same if renewed by July 1
231	231	following the expiration date.
232	232	Subp. 5.General prohibition.No person shall operate or transport, and no person
233	233	shall permit the operation of, a snowmobile within this state which does not have its
234	234	registration number and unexpired decal affixed in the form and manner required by this
235	235	part, unless the owner is exempted from the registration requirements of this state by
236	236	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82.
237	237	6100.5700REQUIRED EQUIPMENT.
238	238	Subp. 4.Snowmobile registration number affixation.All snowmobiles made after
239	239	June 30, 1972, and sold in Minnesota, shall be designed and made to provide an area on
240	240	which to affix the snowmobile registration number at the following location and of the
241	241	following dimensions:
242	242	A.A clear area shall be provided on each side of the cowling or pan with the
243	243	minimum size of 3-1/2 inches vertical by 11 inches horizontal.
244	244	B.It shall be a minimum of 12 inches from the ground when the machine is resting
245	245	on a hard surface.
246	246	1R
247	247	APPENDIX
248	248	Repealed Minnesota Rules: 23-00641