Summary of Maine ATV & Snowmobile Laws 2024 - 2025 2023-2024 | Page 25

LAWS & RULES: SNOWMOBILE 23
§ 13113 – Registration of trail grooming equipment
1. Definitions. For purposes of this section,“ trail grooming equipment” means a self-propelled vehicle that:
C. Is driven by a track or tracks in contact with the snow; and
D. Is performing snowmobile trail maintenance by plowing, leveling, or compacting snow by use of a front plow or rear attachments that include but are not limited to rollers, compactor bars, or trail drags.
2. Operating unregistered trail grooming equipment. Except as provided in this section, a person may not operate trail grooming equipment on a snowmobile trail that is financed in whole or in part by the Snowmobile Trail Fund unless that trail grooming equipment is registered in accordance with this section.
A. A registration is not required for trail grooming equipment operated on land on which the owner lives or on land on which the owner is domiciled, if the trail grooming equipment is not operated elsewhere within the jurisdiction of this State.
B. A registration is not required for trail grooming equipment operated by a commercial ski area for the purpose of packing snow or for rescue operation, unless the trail grooming equipment is required to cross a public way during that operation.
C. Trail grooming equipment owned and operated by the Federal Government, the State, or a political subdivision of the State is exempt from registration fees, but must be registered and is required to display the registration.
3. Application and issuance. The commissioner may register trail grooming equipment upon application by the owner if the owner is a non-profit organization that has an approved contract for snowmobile trail grooming with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, Off-Road Vehicle Division or a person that can provide proof to the department at the time of application that the person is a member of an organization eligible to register trail grooming equipment under this section. The commissioner may establish procedures necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
4. Form of registration. The trail grooming equipment registration must be in such form as the commissioner may determine.
5. Fee. The registration fee for trail grooming equipment is a one-time fee of $ 33 *. The registration fee is valid from the date of issuance until the date that the equipment is sold or transferred. Revenue from the registration fee is allocated as shown below:
• 22 % General Fund
• 52 % Snowmobile Trail Fund at Department of Agriculture Conservation & Forestry, Division of Parks & Public Lands
• 26 % Municipality of County * Plus agent fee.
Note: Qualified snowmobile trail grooming equipment is exempt from sales tax. Sales to incorporated non-profit snowmobile clubs of snowmobiles and snowmobile trail grooming equipment used directly and exclusively for the grooming of snowmobile trails. ■
LAWS & RULES: SUMMARY OF PENALTIES FOR SNOWMOBILE

LAWS & RULES

Summary of Penalties for Snowmobile

This is a summary of penalties for snowmobile. For full language please refer to Title 12.
Operating under the influence. See page 4.
§ 10757 – Fraudulently obtaining or possessing license, permit or registration
A person may not obtain or possess a paper or electronic license, permit or registration authorized in this Part through fraud, misstatement or misrepresentation. A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime.
§ 10651, 1-C – Failure to stop for law enforcement officer
A person may not fail or refuse to stop any snowmobile on request or signal of any law enforcement officer in uniform whose duty it is to enforce snowmobile laws. A person who violates this provision commits a Class E crime.
§ 10651, 1-E – Attempt to elude a law enforcement officer
A person may not attempt to elude a law enforcement officer by: operating or attempting to operate a snowmobile past a clearly identifiable police roadblock; or after being requested or signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer in uniform, operating or attempting to operate a snowmobile at a reckless rate of speed. A person who violates this provision commits a Class D crime, for which a minimum fine of not less than $ 1,000 must be adjudged. If convicted there is a mandatory one year suspension of all licenses, permits and registrations by the department.
§ 13106-A, 9 – Reckless operation of snowmobile
A person may not operate a snowmobile in such a way as to recklessly create a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person. A person who violates this provision commits a Class D crime.
§ 13106-A, 10 – Operating snowmobile to endanger.
A person may not operate a snowmobile so as to endanger any person or property by:
A. Operating the snowmobile except at a reasonable and prudent speed for the existing conditions, including when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and taking a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding trail and when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians, skiers or other traffic by reason of weather or trail conditions; or
B. Operating the snowmobile in a manner that fails to control its speed at all times as necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, snowmobile or other object.
2024-25 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES ATV & SNOWMOBILE