Bill Text: NY A05147 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Relates to the creation of an ATV trail fund.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-03 - referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development [A05147 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-A05147-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5147 2023-2024 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY March 2, 2023 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. GRAY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, the vehicle and traffic law and the state finance law, in relation to the creation of an ATV trail fund The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Legislative intent and purpose. In order to best organize 2 and sustain an environmentally sensitive statewide system of trails for 3 all terrain vehicles, the legislature hereby creates an ATV trail fund. 4 The control and supervision of the trail fund shall be maintained by the 5 office of parks, recreation and historic preservation upon consultation 6 with the department of environmental conservation. The trail fund is 7 created for the purpose of designating state, municipal and private 8 lands as part of a statewide network of ATV trails. Fees obtained by the 9 office of parks, recreation and historic preservation for the mainte- 10 nance of the trail fund shall be divided between administration, 11 enforcement, education and remediation and maintenance, construction and 12 development of the statewide trail system. It is the purpose of this 13 act to promote the safe and proper use of all terrain vehicles for 14 recreation and commerce in this state by encouraging their use and 15 development, while minimizing detrimental effects of such use upon the 16 environment. 17 § 2. The title heading of title D of the parks, recreation and histor- 18 ic preservation law is amended and a new article 26 is added to such 19 title to read as follows: 20 SNOWMOBILES AND 21 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES 22 ARTICLE 26 23 ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE TRAIL FUND 24 Section 26.01 Trail plan. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD07254-01-3A. 5147 2 1 26.03 Rules and regulations. 2 § 26.01 Trail plan. The department shall prepare a statewide all-ter- 3 rain vehicle trail plan providing for recreational use of "all terrain 4 vehicles" or "ATVs" on permitted state and municipal lands and ATV 5 designated trails on private lands to establish a statewide network of 6 ATV trails. For purposes of this article, "ATV" means an all terrain 7 vehicle as defined in section twenty-two hundred eighty-one of the vehi- 8 cle and traffic law. 9 § 26.03 Rules and regulations. 1. The department shall promulgate 10 regulations for the use of ATVs with a view towards achieving maximum 11 use of ATVs and minimizing the detrimental effect thereof upon the envi- 12 ronment. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the department from 13 authorizing other ATV use on state owned lands. The commissioner shall 14 adopt rules and regulations relating to and including, but not limited 15 to the following: 16 a. Use of ATVs insofar as fish and wildlife resources and natural 17 resources of the state. 18 b. Use of ATVs on public lands under the jurisdiction of the depart- 19 ment, providing for incorporating recreational and sportsman use into 20 UMPs developed for such lands. 21 c. Uniform signs or markers. 22 d. Requirements for protection of private property or therein occa- 23 sioned by the use of ATVs. 24 e. Establishment of a comprehensive ATV information and safety educa- 25 tion and training program, including provision for the issuance of ATV 26 operation and safety certificates for operation of ATVs by youthful 27 operators and adult operators without a valid driver's license. 28 f. Requirements that new connector trails must comply with state laws 29 and regulations and, where applicable for state-owned lands, comply with 30 a unit management plan and be subject to full public review and hear- 31 ings. 32 g. Requirements for municipalities for the designation of ATV use on 33 other public lands must be consistent with environmental impact assess- 34 ments as prescribed by 6 NYCRR Part 617, and paragraph b of subdivision 35 one and paragraph m of subdivision two of section 3-0301 and section 36 8-0113 of the environmental conservation law. 37 h. Provisions for current trails and trails pending approval on or 38 before the effective date of this article are preserved in perpetuity 39 and nothing shall restrict the use of commissioner policy three (CP3) 40 permits issued by the department of environmental conservation on these 41 trails. 42 i. Provisions prohibiting the use of ATVs on state owned lands classi- 43 fied as the following: Albany Pine Bush, Long Island Pine Barrens, or 44 land or water classified as primitive or canoe pursuant to the master 45 plan for management of state land. 46 2. Operation by youthful operators shall be as follows: 47 a. Persons between ten and fourteen years old must hold a valid safety 48 certificate and be accompanied by an adult. 49 b. Persons between fifteen and eighteen years old must hold a valid 50 safety certificate or driver's license. 51 § 3. Subdivision 1 of section 2282 of the vehicle and traffic law, as 52 amended by chapter 402 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as 53 follows: 54 1. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall operate any ATV 55 within the state on lands other than those privately owned by the ATV 56 owner unless such ATV has been registered and numbered in accordanceA. 5147 3 1 with the provisions of this article, and the registration number for 2 such ATV is in full force and effect and displayed as provided under 3 this article and regulations promulgated thereunder. 4 § 4. The closing paragraph of subdivision 4 of section 2282 of the 5 vehicle and traffic law is REPEALED and a new paragraph (h) is added to 6 read as follows: 7 (h) Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into 8 the ATV trail fund established pursuant to section ninety-nine-qq of the 9 state finance law, and used only for those purposes enumerated in such 10 section. 11 § 5. Subdivision 12 of section 2282 of the vehicle and traffic law, as 12 added by chapter 671 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows: 13 12. Out of state ATV registration. (a) The registration provisions of 14 this article shall not apply to non-resident owners who have registered 15 their ATVs in compliance with the registration and licensing laws of the 16 state, province, district or country of residence, provided that the ATV 17 is appropriately identified in accordance with the laws of the state of 18 residence. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a resi- 19 dent of another state, province, district or country which does not have 20 an ATV registration and identification law. Nothing in this subdivision 21 shall be construed to authorize the operation of any ATV contrary to the 22 provisions of this article. 23 (b) Non-resident owners who have registered their ATVs in compliance 24 with the registration and licensing laws of a jurisdiction out of the 25 state, or who reside in a jurisdiction which does not have an ATV regis- 26 tration and identification law, shall pay an annual fee, equal to that 27 provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision four of this 28 section to lawfully operate such ATV in the state on lands other than 29 those privately owned by the ATV owner. 30 § 6. Section 2404 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 31 402 of the laws of 1986, paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 and subdivision 32 3 as amended by chapter 554 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as 33 follows: 34 § 2404. Operating rules. 1. No person shall operate an ATV: 35 (a) at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under 36 the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards 37 then existing or faster than fifty-five miles per hour; 38 (b) in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to unreasonably 39 endanger the person or property of another or cause injury or damage 40 thereto; 41 (c) on the tracks or right-of-way of an operating railroad; 42 (d) in any tree nursery or planting in a manner that damages or 43 destroys growing stock, or creates a substantial risk thereto; 44 (e) while pulling a person on skis or drawing or towing a sleigh, 45 sled, toboggan, inflatable device or trailer which carries or transports 46 any person unless attached by a rigid support, connection or towbar; 47 (f) on the frozen surface of public waters: within one hundred feet of 48 any person other than a person riding on an ATV except at the minimum 49 speed required to maintain forward movement of the ATV, nor within one 50 hundred feet of a fishing shanty or shelter except at the minimum speed 51 required to maintain forward movement of the ATV nor on an area which 52 has been cleared of snow for skating purposes unless the area is neces- 53 sary for access to the public water; 54 (g) within one hundred feet of a dwelling between midnight and six 55 a.m., at a speed greater than minimum required to maintain forward move- 56 ment of the ATV;A. 5147 4 1 (h) on public lands, other than highways, or on private property of 2 another while in an intoxicated condition or under the influence of 3 narcotics or drugs; 4 (i) on private lands unless expressly permitted; or 5 (j) while failing or refusing to comply with law enforcement. 6 2. The operator of an ATV shall: 7 (a) stop and yield to an authorized ambulance, civil defense, or 8 police ATV or police vehicle being operated as an emergency vehicle and 9 approaching from any direction; 10 (b) comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer or 11 other person duly empowered to enforce the laws relating to ATVs; 12 (c) keep the ATV lights on between sunset and sunrise; 13 (d) wear a helmet; 14 (e) comply with the rules of the road including but not limited to 15 adherence to signage, posted speed limits, traveling on the right edge 16 of the paved/road surface and riding single file. 17 3. [No person shall ride on or in a sleigh, sled, toboggan, inflatable18device or trailer which is being towed or trailed by an ATV unless19attached by a rigid support, connection or towbar.204. A person operating an ATV shall ride only upon the permanent and21regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any22other person nor shall any other person ride on an ATV unless such ATV23is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger24may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two25persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the ATV at the rear or26side of the operator.275.] For the purposes of title seven of this chapter, an ATV shall be a 28 motor vehicle and the provisions of such title shall be applicable to 29 ATVs. 30 [6.] 4. Local laws and ordinances. Nothing contained in this article 31 shall be deemed to limit the authority of a county, city, town or 32 village from adopting or amending a local law or ordinance which imposes 33 stricter restrictions and conditions on the operation of ATVs than are 34 provided or authorized by this section so long as such local law or 35 ordinance is consistent with its authority to protect the order, 36 conduct, health, safety and general welfare of persons or property. 37 § 7. Section 2411 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 38 402 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows: 39 § 2411. 1. Liability for negligence. Negligence in the use [of] or 40 operation of an ATV shall be attributable to the owner. Every owner of 41 an ATV used or operated in this state on lands other than those private- 42 ly owned by the ATV owner must be insured. Owners of ATVs used or oper- 43 ated in this state shall be liable and responsible for death or injury 44 to [person] persons or damage to property resulting from negligence in 45 the use or operation of such ATV [by any person using or operating the46same with the permission, express or implied, of such owner, provided,47however, that such operator's negligence shall not be attributed to the48owner as to any claim or cause of action accruing to the operator or his49legal representative for such injuries or death]. 50 2. Duties of ATV owners and operators. It is recognized that driving 51 an ATV is a voluntary activity that may be hazardous. It shall be the 52 duty of ATV owners and operators: 53 (a) To keep their ATVs in proper working order. 54 (b) To follow any and all other rules of conduct as are prescribed 55 pursuant to section 26.03 of the parks, recreation and historic preser- 56 vation law.A. 5147 5 1 (c) Not to operate an ATV in any area not designated for driving ATVs. 2 (d) Not to operate an ATV beyond the conditions that limit speed. 3 (e) To familiarize themselves with rules of the trail. 4 (f) Not to leave the scene of any accident resulting in personal inju- 5 ry or damage to the property beyond the trail. 6 § 8. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-qq to 7 read as follows: 8 § 99-qq. ATV trail fund. 1. There is hereby established in the joint 9 custody of the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preserva- 10 tion and the comptroller a fund to be known as the "ATV trail fund". 11 2. The ATV trail fund shall consist of moneys appropriated thereto, 12 and funds transferred from any other fund or source including the 13 payment of fees pursuant to section twenty-two hundred eighty-two of the 14 vehicle and traffic law. 15 3. Ten percent of all moneys in the ATV trail fund shall be available 16 for the administrative costs of administering such fund. Forty-five 17 percent of all moneys in the ATV trail fund shall be made available for 18 the maintenance, construction and development of the statewide trail 19 system. Forty-five percent of all moneys in the ATV trail fund shall be 20 made available for enforcing and educating the public about the 21 provisions of article twenty-six of the parks, recreation and historic 22 preservation law. 23 4. Moneys shall be payable from the fund on the audit and warrant of 24 the state comptroller on vouchers approved and certified by the commis- 25 sioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation. 26 § 9. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 2281 of the vehicle and 27 traffic law, as amended by chapter 319 of the laws of 1997, is amended 28 to read as follows: 29 (a) "All terrain vehicle" or "ATV" means any self-propelled vehicle 30 which is manufactured for sale for operation primarily on off-highway 31 trails or off-highway competitions and only incidentally operated on 32 public highways providing that such vehicle does not exceed seventy 33 inches in width, or one thousand eight hundred pounds dry weight. 34 Provided, however, this definition shall not include a "snowmobile" or 35 other self-propelled vehicles manufactured for off-highway use exclu- 36 sively designed for travel on snow or ice, steered by skis or runners 37 and supported in whole or in part by one or more skis, belts or cleats 38 which utilize an endless belt tread. 39 § 10. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 40 2414 to read as follows: 41 § 2414. Trespass violation fine. Operators of ATVs which have been 42 cited for trespass shall be fined one hundred dollars for a first 43 violation; two hundred dollars for a second violation within three 44 hundred sixty-five days of the initial violation; and five hundred 45 dollars for subsequent violations within three hundred sixty-five days 46 of the initial violation. The money collected from the fines shall be 47 put into the ATV trail fund established by section ninety-nine-qq of the 48 state finance law and shall be split fifty percent for enforcement, 49 education and remediation and the other fifty percent for trail mainte- 50 nance and trail construction and development. 51 § 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
