An Act to Change the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0019
Committee Amendment CA_B_S607 (Senate)
Amends: 4 MRSA §164, 12 MRSA §10269, 12 MRSA §10270, 12 MRSA §10902, 12 MRSA §13155, 12 MRSA §13157-A, 12 MRSA §13161

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "S" to S.P. 32, L.D. 19, "An Act to Change the
Definition of "Oversized ATV" in tlie Laws Governing the Registration of All-terrain
Vehicles"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'An Act Related to Oversized All-terrain Vehicles'
Amend the bill by striking out all of the emergency preamble.
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the
following:
'See. 1. 4 MRSA §164» sub-§15, ^, as amended by PL 1993,c. 680, Pt. A,§4, is
further amended to read;
E. The Chief Judge, following notification to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial
Court or the Chief Justice's delegate, may authorize forms and procedures the Chief
Judge considers appropriate to carry out this subsection^
Sec. 2. 4 MRSA §164, sub-§15, as amended by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §1 and
affected by c. 614, §9, is further amended by enacting at the end a new blocked paragraph
to read;
The Chief Judge may establish a violations bureau to address any civil violations of any
orovisions of Title 12. Part 13;
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §10269 is enacted to read:
810269. Infrastructure Upkeep Fund
The InftastructureJLJpkeeD Fund is established within the deparhnent for the purposes
of infrastructure upkeep on public and private lands and to support infrastruchire such as
campsites. trails and access points on public and private orooertv.
See. 4. 12 MRSA §10270 is enacted to read:
§10270. Reimbnrsenientto Landowners Fund
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'g " lo S.P. 32, L.D. 19
The Reimbursement to Landowners Fund is established within the department for the
purposes of reimbursmp landowners for environmental damaee caused by recreational
users on the landowners' trails.
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §10902, sub-§9, ^A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 626, §1, is
farther amended to read:
A. Operating an ATV on a temporarily closed trail as prohibited under section
13157-A, subsection 24; w
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §10902, sub-§9, ^pF, as amended by PL 2011, c. 691, Ft. A, §8,
is further amended to read:
P. Operating an ATV on the land of another without permission, as prohibited under
section 13 157-A, subsection I -A-ior
Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §10902, sub-§9, ^|H is enacted to read:
H. Illeaallv ooeratine an oversized ATV as prohibited under section 13157-A.
subsection 28.
Sec. 8. 12 MRSA §13155, sub-§5-B, as amended by PL 2025,c. 267,§4, is further
amended to read:
S-B. Oversized AT V; exception. A person may not register an oversized ATV except
as provided in this subsection. A resident who has registered an oversized ATV prior to
January 1, 2022 may continue to register that oversized ATV upon payment of the fee
specified in subsection 5, paragraph A, and upon a transfer of ownership of that registered
oversized ATV, the new owner may also register that oversized ATV upon payment of the
fee specified in subsection 5, paragraph A. Registration is not required for an oversized
ATV operated by a person on the land of another if written permission is received from the
landowner, lessee of the land or landowner's representative and the person is engaged solely
in a business activity, other than a business activity involving recreational use of the
oversized ATV. A person with a disability who has been issued a disability reaistration
plate for a motor vehicle pursuant to Title 29-A. section 521. subsection 1. parapraph A
may register an oversized ATV upon payment of the fee specified in subsection 5,
paraeraph A. For purposes of this subsection, "oversized ATV" means an ATV that is
wider than 65 inches or weighs more than 2,000 pounds according to the manufacturer's
specifications.
See. 9. 12 MRSA §13157-A, sub-§28 is enacted to read:
3 28. IlleeaLoDei'ation of oversized ATV. A person may not operate an oversized ATV
in violation of any provision of this chapter, For the purposes of this subsection, "oversized
ATV" has the same meanine as in section 13155. subsection 5-B.
A, A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of
not less than $100or more than $500 may be adiudged.
B. A persoti who violates this subsection after havine been adjudicated as having
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-vear period
commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 10. 12 MRSA §13161, sub-§l-A, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 215, §12, is
amended to read;
Page2-132LR0381(04)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
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COMMnTEB AMENDMENT •^ to S.P. 32, L.D. 19 (^ <»'(
1-A. Dealer to provide registration information. A dealer may not sell a new or
used oversized ATV without providing to the purchaser a written form developed and
provided by the department explaining the size and weight resh-ictions for registering that
ATV under section 13155, subsection 5-B and the provisions of section 13157-A regarding
the use of oversized ATVs on designated state-approved ATV trails. The department shall
develop a form for use by dealers under this section, which must include a place for a
purchaser to sign acknowledging receipt of the form, The dealer shall provide a copy of
the signed form to the purchaser and to the department within one month of the date of sale.
The dealer shall retain a copy of the signed form for a period of 3 years from the date of
sale. The department shall develop and distribute educational materials related to oversized
ATV rules and reeulations for distribution to ATV dealers and town clerics. If an ATV
does not qualify for reeistration in the State, a dealer shall disclose this information on the
ATV and in any advertisement, solicitation or other promotional marketing materials
related to the ATV. For purposes of this subsection, "oversized ATV" has the same
meaning as defined in section 13155, subsection 5-B,
Sec. 11. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF
Enforcement Operations • Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 0537
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for the purchase of 10 sets of scales, with 4 units per
set, for trailside weighing of oversized all-terrain vehicles.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AHOther $0 $30,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $30,000
Enforcement Operations - Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 0537
Initiative: Provides funding for 10 part-time seasonal Game Warden positions for increased
recreational patrols related to oversized all-terrain vehicle enforcement activities. Positions
are to be distributed as 2 per each of the warden divisions across the State.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
POSITIONS ' FTE COUNT 0,000 2.307
Personal Services $0 $499,977
AHOther $0 $130,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $629,977
Infrastructure Upkeep Fund N577
Initiative: Provides one-time fimding for the purposes of infrastructure upkeep on public
and private lands to support infrastructure such as campsites, trails and access points on
both public and private property.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AU Other $0 $5,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $5,000,000
Page3-132LR0381(04)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"^" to S.P. 32, L,D. 19 C<^'~b^1 •
Reimbursement to Landowners Fund N578
Initiative: Provides one-time funding to reimburse landowners for environmental damage
caused by recreational users on their trai Is.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
All Other $0 $5,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $5,000,000
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE,
DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2025-26 2026-27
GENERAL FUND $0 $10,659,977
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS $0 $10,659,977
•
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill, changes the title and removes the emergency
preamble and emergency clause. The amendment does the following.
1. It authorizes the Chief Judge to establish a violations bureau to address civil
violations of inland fisheries and wildlife statutes, as needed.
2. It requires the seller of an all-terrain vehicle that cannot be registered in this State to
clearly disclose that the all-terrain vehicle cannot be registered.
3, It directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to develop and distribute
targeted educational materials related to oversized all-terrain vehicle rules and regulations
for distribution to all-terrain vehicle dealers and town clerks,
4. It creates a new prohibition for the violation of illegal operation of an oversized all-
terrain vehicle as a civil violation or as a Class E crime if 3 or more violations occur within
a 5-year period.
5. It gives the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife the authority to suspend
all licenses, permits and registrations issued by the department to any person convicted or
adjudicated of illegally operating an oversized all-terrain vehicle,
6. It establishes that an all-terrain vehicle dealer must provide to the purchaser and to
the department within one month of the date of sale a copy of the signed fonn required by
current law that explains the size and weight restrictions for registering the all-terrain
vehicle purchased. The dealer must retain a copy of the signed form for a period of 3 years
from the date of sale.
7. It creates 10 part-time intermittent Game Warden positions for increased recreational
patrols, 2 positions for each of the 5 warden divisions across the state.
Page4-132LR0381(04)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT '^ " to S.P, 32, L.D, 19 ('
8. It creates 10 sets of scales, with 4 units per set, for trailside weighing of oversized
aU-terrain vehicles,
9. It establishes the Reimbursement to Landowners Fund to reimburse landowners for
environmental damage caused by recreational users on the landowners' trails, with $5
million in initial funding,
10. It establishes the Infrastructure Upkeep Fund to support infrastructure upkeep on
public and private lands and to support infi'astructure such as campsites, trails and access
points on both public and private property, with $5 million in initial funding.
11. It establishes an exemption from the prohibition on the registration ofoversized
all-terrain vehicles for an individual who has been issued a disability registration plate for
a motor vehicle.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Page5-132LR0381(04)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
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Approved: 03/27/26 t-Kt.
LD19 LR 381(04)
An Act to Change the Definition of "Oversized ATV" in the Laws Governing the Registration of AH"
terrain Vehicles
Rscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ^^ <yic^~l^
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
PY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 PY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $10,659,977 $649,476 $669,736
Appropriatlons/AUocations
General Fund $0 $10,659,977 $649,476 $669,736
Fiscal Detail and Notes
• This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $629,977 to the Department of Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife begiiming in fiscal year 2026-27 for 10 part-time seasonal Game Warden positions and related position costs,
The biU also includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $30,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 for the purchase of 10
sets of scales for trailside weighing ofall-terrain vehicles.
The bill also establishes the Reimbursement to Landowners Fund and the Infi-astmcture Upkeep Fund and provides
one-time General Fund appropriations of $5,000,000 to each m fiscal year 2026-27.
LR0381(04) " Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1