What's happening
This bill allows persons under 18 to participate in organized snowmobile racing or competitive events on closed courses.
Why it matters
Expands youth participation in motorsports. By allowing those under 18 to join organized snowmobile races on closed courses, the bill could foster greater youth involvement in the sport, encouraging skill development and engagement in supervised, structured environments.
Differentiates recreational riding from competitive events. The exemption specifically applies to organized races on closed courses—not on public trails—addressing safety and public use concerns while still promoting competitive opportunities for young riders.
Impacts local communities and event organizers. This change could lead to an increase in snowmobile events targeting younger participants, potentially boosting local economies through tourism, event hosting, and related business activity.
Raises questions about safety and regulation. With the inclusion of minors in competitive snowmobile events, there may be increased scrutiny or demand for clear safety protocols, insurance requirements, and event oversight to protect young participants.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Teens Race Snowmobiles
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 45
History
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 49–13
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.164
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 49–11
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.180
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Teens Race Snowmobiles
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor William Magee
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
136
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sens. LITTLE, DeFRANCISCO, MARCHIONE, RANZENHOFER, RITCHIE, SEWARD, VALESKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to authorizing persons under the age of eighteen to participate in certain organized racing or competitive events involving snowmobiles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 25.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a snowmobile being operated in an organized racing or competitive event upon a closed course or in a hill climb or drag race that is not conducted on a public trail system.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00335-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to authorizing persons under the age of eighteen to participate in certain organized racing or competitive events involving snowmobiles
Purpose
This act would exempt organized racing or competitive snowmobile events upon a closed course or in a hill climb or drag race that is not conducted on a public trail system from the age restrictions of § 25.19 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: This bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (PRHP) Law by adding a new subparagraph (d) to paragraph 1 of section 25.19 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Racing and competitive snowmobile events conducted in New York require a special events permit issued by the Commissioner of the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. Many of these events involve participation by those less than 18 years of age. Section 25.19 of the Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Law limits the operation of snowmobiles by persons under the age of 18 and prohibits operation by those under 14 years of age without a snowmobile safety certificate.
This bill will bring New York's Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation law up to date with current practices for competitive events where many youth less than 14 years of age professionally compete in snocross and similar events. Current law has acted as an impediment for national organizations to hold such events in New York. It is expected that the Office of Parks would continue to impose reasonable conditions on permits such as consistency with the two international organizations that create the rules and guidelines for these competitive events and require the permission of parents or legal guardians. It is not uncommon for special event permits to carry a host of conditions that the competition organizer must follow. All these events are privately insured. A snocross event can generate in excess of $150,000 for the area that hosts the event.
Legislative history
2015 S.1850-A Passed the Senate; A1452-A Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development 2013-14: S. 1364 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation; A. 175 Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development 2011-12: S.554 Passed Senate; S. 5487 Tourism, Arts and Sports Development 2010: S.7430 Finance; A. 10015 Tourism, Arts and Sports Development
Fiscal implications
None to the State. Provides economic opportunities for the communities where events are held.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.