What's happening
This bill exempts certain ATVs from registration requirements if operated only on land owned or contractually controlled by the owner without compensation.
Why it matters
Reduces regulatory burden for private landowners. By exempting ATVs used solely on land the owner controls, the bill makes it easier and less costly for individuals (like farmers or rural property owners) to use ATVs for personal, agricultural, or land management purposes without state registration.
Limits public use loopholes. The exemption is tightly scoped—ATVs must not be operated elsewhere in the state, and no payment can be received for their use—helping to prevent abuse of the exemption for commercial or recreational purposes beyond the owner's property.
Potentially affects law enforcement and safety oversight. Unregistered ATVs on private land may face less regulatory oversight, which could have safety or environmental implications, as these vehicles would not be subject to inspection or tracking by state agencies.
Could influence how land leases and rights are structured. Since the exemption extends to lands “contractually controlled” by the owner (not just owned), it may encourage more formal leasing or rights agreements for ATV use on property not directly owned.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Exempt Private ATVs from Registration
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1020
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sens. YOUNG, GALLIVAN, O'MARA, RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting certain ATVs from registration requirements
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 11 of section 2282 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(c) ATVs operated on lands owned by the owner of such ATV, or on lands to which such owner has a contractual right other than as a member of a club or association provided (i) the ATV is not operated elsewhere within the state, and (ii) no consideration, either direct or indirect is paid to the owner of the ATV with respect to such operation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the commissioner of motor vehicles is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03855-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting certain ATVs from registration requirements
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation will afford to ATV (all-terrain vehicle) owners the same registration exemptions as currently afforded snowmobile owners in New York State.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds a new paragraph (c) to Subdivision 11 of section 2282 of the vehicle and traffic law.
Justification
Current New York State law provides three exemptions from the require- ment of registering snowmobiles. They are: 1) snowmobiles owned and used by the United States, 2) snowmobiles registered in another state or country, and 3) snowmobiles operated on lands owned by the owner or to which the owner has certain contractual rights. New York State law pertaining to ATVs provides only the first two exemptions. An owner of an ATV must register the vehicle, even if it is solely used on his/her private property. This has created hardship for some owners. For exam- ple, many farmers use ATVs in everyday business in operating an agricul- tural enterprise. While the vehicle may never leave the owner's private property, that individual can be cited for violating state law. If a snowmobile is used, then no law is broken. This bill seeks to address the inequity in the law.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.856 Committed to Rules
2017: S.856 Passed Senate
2015,2016:S.3076/A.3782 Referred to Transportation
2013,2014:S.2622/A.1812 Referred to Transportation
2011,2012:S.798/A.6722 Referred to Transportation
2009,2010:S.3825/A.7426 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 120 days after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.