An Act To Provide Greater Access to ATVs by Lowering the Minimum Operating Age
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0340
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: JACKSON, MARTIN, BRYANT, CLARK, SAVIELLO, WHEELER
Amends: 12 MRSA §13154-A

FIRST REGULAR SESSIOr~-2009 
Legislative Documen't 
No. 340 
S.P.104 
In Senate, February 3, 2009 
An Act To Provide Greater Access to ATVs by Lowering the 
Minimum Operating Age 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Senator JACKSON of Aroostook. 
Cosponsored by Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake and 
9tB{J~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senator: BRYANT of Oxford, Representatives: CLARK of Millinocket, SAVIELLO of 
Wilton, WHEELER of Kittery. 
Printed o!" recycled pp;"!r 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13154-A, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §404 
and affected by §422 and enacted by c. 695, Pt. B, §12 and affected by Pt. C, §l, is 
amended to read: 
3. Unlawfully operating ATV by person 10 to under 14 years of age. Except as 
,provided in subsection 6,' a person 10 years of age or older but under +eli years of age 
may not operate an ATV unless that person has successfully completed a training course 
approved bv the department pursuant to section 13152 and is accompanied by an adult. 
A. 
A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine 
of not less than $ J 00 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B. 
A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 2. 12 MRS A §13154-A, sub-§4, as enacted byPL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B" §404 
and affected by §422 and enacted by c. 695, Pt. B, §12, and affected by Pt. C, §l, 1S, 
amended to read~ 
4. Person under 14 years of age crossing public way. A person under .f6 E4i years: 
of age may not cross a public way maintained for travel unless the crossing IS in 
accordance with section 13157-A, subsection 6, paragraph A and the person satisfies the 
requirements of subsection 3. 
A. 
A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fme 
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B. 
A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13154-A, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §404 
and affected by§422 and enacted by c. 695, Pt. B, §12 and affected by Pt. C, §1, is 
amended to read: 
5. Permitting an unaccompanied person under 14 years of age to operate an 
ATV. Except as provided in subsection 6, a person may not permit an unaccompanied 
person 10 years of age or older but under +e li years of age to operate an ATV. 
A. 
A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fme 
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. 
B. 
A person who violates this subsection aftefhaving been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period 
commits a Class E crime. 
Page I - 124LR0953(Ol)-1 
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SUMMARY 
This bill lowers the minimum age that a person may operate an ATV unaccompanied 
by an adult from 16 years of age to 14 years of age. 
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