hb 0717

CHAPTER 259

HB 717 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT establishing a committee to make recommendations on policy concerning state-operated trails and private lands used by all terrain vehicles and trail bikes and relative to increasing the resident and nonresident OHRV registration fees for snow traveling vehicles.

SPONSORS: Rep. Alger, Graf 9; Rep. Dickinson, Carr 2; Rep. Babson, Carr 5; Rep. Scanlan, Graf 11; Rep. Gilmore, Straf 11; Sen. Gordon, Dist 2

I. Establishes a committee to make recommendations on policy concerning state-operated trails and private lands used by all terrain vehicles and trail bikes.

II. Increases the resident and nonresident OHRV registration fees for snow traveling vehicles.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

259:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to make recommendations on policy concerning state-operated trails and private lands used by all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and trail bikes, as defined in RSA 215-A.

(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

I. Review the statutory provisions, administrative regulations, and other policies concerning trails for ATVs and trail bikes in the state whether public or private, with consideration of:

(a) History, experience, and operational characteristics of ATV and trail bike trails operated by the state.

(b) Requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in national forest trail systems.

(d) State enforcement procedures for ATV and trail bike trails, whether on state lands or on private lands, including rescue capabilities and enforcement concerns in surrounding communities.

(f) Rights and responsibilities of manufacturers, sales organizations, and OHRV clubs.

II. Seek input from concerned individuals, organizations, and state agencies such as, but not limited to:

(a) The department of resources and economic development, divisions of forests and lands, parks and recreation, and travel and tourism.

(h) The general public, OHRV clubs, and other organizations with an interest in public and private land policy.

259:4 Chairperson. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.

I. Determine whether the state should continue to develop and operate trail systems for ATVs and trail bikes.

II. Develop recommendations, based on the committee's determination and recommendations in paragraph I, for the ATV and trail bike trail planning process by the department of resources and economic development and by other state agencies, including identification of sites, development of site plans, maintenance and operation of trails, and related uses.

III. Report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2002.

259:6 OHRV Nonresident Registration; Increase for Snow Traveling Vehicles. Amend RSA 215-A:23, III to read as follows:

III. Individual nonresident registration-$36 for each 2-wheeled trail bike registration, $60 for each snow traveling vehicle registration, or $45 for each other OHRV registration.

(a) The first $13 of each 2-wheeled trail bike registration, $36 of each snow traveling vehicle registration, or $22 of each other OHRV registration shall be appropriated to the department of resources and economic development for administration of the bureau's grant-in-aid program pursuant to paragraph VI.

(b) From the balance, $12.10 from each snow traveling vehicle registration or $11.10 from each 2-wheeled trail bike or other OHRV registration shall be appropriated to the department of resources and economic development for administration of the bureau for the purposes listed in paragraph VII, and $11.90 shall be appropriated to the department of fish and game for the purposes listed in paragraph VIII.

259:7 OHRV Resident Registration; Increase for Snow Traveling Vehicles. Amend RSA 215-A:23, I to read as follows:

I. Individual resident registration-$26 for each 2-wheeled trail bike registration, $45 for each snow traveling vehicle registration, or $35 for each other OHRV registration upon presentation of resident tax receipt, or a valid New Hampshire driver's license issued to a person 18 years of age or older.

(a) The first $7 of each 2-wheeled trail bike registration, $25 for each snow traveling vehicle registration, or $16 of each other OHRV registration shall be appropriated to the department of resources and economic development for administration of the bureau's grant-in-aid program pursuant to paragraph VI.

(b) From the balance, $10.30 from each snow traveling vehicle registration or $9.30 from each 2-wheeled trail bike or other OHRV registration shall be appropriated to the department of resources and economic development for administration of the bureau for the purposes listed in paragraph VII, and $9.70 shall be appropriated to the department of fish and game for the purposes listed in paragraph VIII.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.