What's happening
This bill expands the definition of snowmobiles, increases state aid to localities for snowmobile law enforcement, and raises penalties for unregistered snowmobile operation.
Why it matters
Broadens the legal definition of "snowmobile". to include only those vehicles equipped with a motor and originally manufactured for travel on snow/ice, potentially restricting loopholes or clarifying which vehicles fall under snowmobile laws.
Doubles the maximum state aid available to local governments. (from $25,000 to $50,000 per county and from $150,000 to $300,000 total) for law enforcement related to snowmobile regulations, which may improve safety, oversight, and trail management in areas with high snowmobile use.
Increases the proportion of state aid localities can receive. for snowmobile law enforcement, raising the cap from half to three-quarters of their approved expenditures, possibly encouraging more robust local enforcement efforts.
Raises penalties for operating an unregistered snowmobile. , with fines now ranging from $200 to $500 for violations (except for late renewals within 60 days, which are capped at $50), signaling a stronger deterrent against non-compliance and a heightened emphasis on registration compliance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Redefine Snowmobile for Law
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 45
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A1584C
- Ordered to third reading cal.1953
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 4542b
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 4542a
- Amend (t) and recommit to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- 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.
Redefine Snowmobile Vehicle Rules
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4542--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 17, 2017
Introduced by Sens. LITTLE, DeFRANCISCO, ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the definition of "snowmobile"; to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to increasing state aid to localities for enforcement of provisions relating to snowmobiles; and to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to penalties for operation of an unregistered snowmobile
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 21.05 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended to read as follows:
3. "Snowmobile" shall mean a self-propelled vehicle equipped with a motor, originally manufactured and designed for travel on snow or ice, steered by skis or runners and supported in whole or in part by one or more skis, belts or tracked cleats.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 27.15 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, as amended by chapter 839 of the laws of 1973, is amended to read as follows:
2. The amount of state aid to be allocated to counties, cities, towns or villages shall be determined by the commissioner as hereinafter provided. The commissioner shall determine the percentage proportion which the authorized expenditures of each individual county, city, town or village, but not exceeding [twenty-five] fifty thousand dollars for each county including the municipalities therein, shall bear to the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03371-09-7
S. 4542--B 2
total authorized expenditures of all the counties, cities, towns or villages for enforcement of such provisions during the fiscal year. Such percentage proportion shall then be applied against an amount equal to twenty-five percent of the amount received by the state in fees received for registration of snowmobiles during such fiscal year, to the extent only and not exceeding the sum of [one] two hundred [fifty] thousand dollars. The amount thus determined shall constitute the maximum amount of state aid to which each county, city, town or village shall be entitled. Provided, however, that no county, city, town or village shall receive state aid in an amount in excess of [one-half] three-quarters of its authorized expenditures as approved by the commissioner for such fiscal year. The commissioner shall certify to the comptroller the amount thus determined for each county, city, town or village as the amount of state aid to be apportioned to such county, city, town or village.
§ 3. Subdivision 1 of section 2221 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 839 of the laws of 1973, is amended to read as follows:
1. Snowmobile. Any self-propelled vehicle equipped with a motor, originally manufactured and designed for travel on snow or ice, steered by skis or runners and supported in whole or in part by one or more skis, belts or tracked cleats.
§ 4. Subdivision 1 of section 2222 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 839 of the laws of 1973, is amended to read as follows:
1. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall operate any snowmobile within the state unless: (a) such snowmobile has been registered and numbered in accordance with the provisions of this article, and the registration number for such snowmobile is in full force and effect as hereinafter provided; and (b) the registration number for such snowmobile is displayed as hereinafter provided.
§ 5. Subdivision 2 of section 2230 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 609 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
2. [Any] a. Except as provided in paragraph b of this subdivision, any person who violates any provision of this article or regulation adopted pursuant thereto shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine of up to two hundred dollars, and one-half of such fine shall be deposited in the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund as set forth in section 21.07 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law.
b. Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph a of subdivision one of section twenty-two hundred twenty-two of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, except if the violation consists of failure to renew a registration which was valid within sixty days the fine shall be not more than fifty dollars. Onehalf of such fines shall be deposited in the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund as set forth in section 21.07 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law.
§ 6. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.
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 and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the definition of "snowmobile"; to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to increasing state aid to localities for enforcement of provisions relating to snowmobiles; and to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to penalties for operation of an unregistered snowmobile
Purpose
This bill increases the penalties for operating an unregistered snowmobile, failure to renew a registration, and for a violation regarding the improper display of snowmobile registration numbers. This bill also increases the amount of state aid allocated to municipalities for snowmobile law enforcement purposes.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 3 of Section 21.05 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law to define "snowmobile".
Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 27.15 of the vehicle and traffic law to increase the penalty for operating an unregistered snowmobile on the public trail system, lower the fine for failure to renew a registration which was valid within sixty days, and lower the fine for improper display of the registration number.
Section 3 amends subdivision 1 of section 2221 of vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 839 of laws of 1973 to define a snowmobile.
Section 4 amends subdivision 1 of section 2222 to add the registration number for such snowmobile must he displayed.
Section 5 amends subdivision 2 of section 2230 of vehicle and traffic law as amended by chapter 629 of laws of 2005 to describe fees of violations.
Section 6 establishes the effective date.
Justification
The entire NYS snowmobile trail system is built upon the revenue which is derived from snowmobile registrations. The entire registration fee, with the exception of $5, goes into the trail fund. Over time, the fee for a snowmobile registration has risen from $15 to $100; however, the penalty for operating without a valid registration has not been adjusted along with the fee increase. The current penalty does not provide for an adequate deterrent to riding without a registration and provides little opportunity for the court to impose more serious penalties for habitual violators.
The amount of money available to local law enforcement has not been adjusted since the original Trail Fund was established in 1935. This bill increases both the amount available to law enforcement and the percentage of reimbursement in order to provide additional resources and ensure that sleds are properly registered.
Legislative history
2015-2016: A.10678 - Referred to Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development
Fiscal implications
To Be Determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on January 1, 2018.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.