From the Star Tribune, by Tom Meersman
Off-road drivers who damage public or private land in Minnesota would pay stiffer penalties under a legislative proposal unveiled Thursday.
The bill would increase fines, place certain violations on a driver's record and allow law enforcers to seize all-terrain vehicles, dirt-bikes or off-road trucks involved in repeated, serious violations.
"Responsible ATV riders should support this common sense bill rather than allow our forests and wetlands to be trashed by reckless, lawbreaking riders," said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, sponsor of the bill.
The proposal also would create a telephone hot line to report violations, strengthen a damage-restoration program, require license plates on the front and rear of ATVs. Trucks could continue to drive on state forest roads, but not on trails.
The bill has been endorsed by 47 conservation and environmental groups, and is expected to have its first Senate committee hearing next month. Many off-road driving clubs oppose the bill as unnecessary and overly restrictive.
Ray Bohn, lobbyist for the state association of ATV groups, called the proposal a "campaign of intimidation to scare law-abiding drivers out of the forests." He said that ATV groups will support other legislation, currently being written.
The bill proposed by Marty and Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, would increase maximum fines to $250, $500 and $1,000 for the first, second and third offenses. Current fines are $100, $200 and $500.
It also would establish a speed limit of 10 miles per hour for off-road vehicles within 100 feet of hikers and other pedestrians, or within 150 feet of a home.
Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, said he doesn't favor the higher penalties.
Hackbarth said he will offer a bill that would encourage a system of self-policing by off-road driving clubs.
