1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; modifying all-terrain 
  1.3             vehicle safety training and youth operating 
  1.4             provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2000, sections 
  1.5             84.925, subdivision 1; and 84.9256, subdivision 1. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 84.925, 
  1.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subdivision 1.  [PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.] (a) The commissioner 
  1.10  shall establish a comprehensive all-terrain vehicle 
  1.11  environmental and safety education and training program, 
  1.12  including the preparation and dissemination of vehicle 
  1.13  information and safety advice to the public, the training of 
  1.14  all-terrain vehicle operators, and the issuance of all-terrain 
  1.15  vehicle safety certificates to vehicle operators over the age of 
  1.16  12 years who successfully complete the all-terrain vehicle 
  1.17  environmental and safety education and training course.  
  1.18     (b) For the purpose of administering the program and to 
  1.19  defray a portion of the expenses of training and certifying 
  1.20  vehicle operators, the commissioner shall collect a fee from 
  1.21  each person who receives the training.  The commissioner shall 
  1.22  establish a fee that neither significantly overrecovers nor 
  1.23  underrecovers costs, including overhead costs, involved in 
  1.24  providing the services.  The fee is not subject to the 
  1.25  rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not 
  2.1   apply.  The fees shall be deposited in the all-terrain vehicle 
  2.2   account and the amount thereof is appropriated annually to the 
  2.3   enforcement division of the department of natural resources for 
  2.4   the administration of the program.  In addition to the fee 
  2.5   established by the commissioner, instructors may charge each 
  2.6   person up to the established fee amount for class materials and 
  2.7   expenses. 
  2.8      (c) The commissioner shall cooperate with private 
  2.9   organizations and associations, private and public corporations, 
  2.10  and local governmental units in furtherance of the program 
  2.11  established under this section.  School districts may cooperate 
  2.12  with the commissioner and volunteer instructors to provide space 
  2.13  for the classroom portion of the training.  The commissioner 
  2.14  shall consult with the commissioner of public safety in regard 
  2.15  to training program subject matter and performance testing that 
  2.16  leads to the certification of vehicle operators.  By June 30, 
  2.17  2003, the commissioner shall incorporate a riding component in 
  2.18  the safety education and training program. 
  2.19     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 84.9256, 
  2.20  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  2.21     Subdivision 1.  [PROHIBITIONS ON YOUTHFUL OPERATORS.] (a) 
  2.22  Except for operation on public road rights-of-way that is 
  2.23  permitted under section 84.928, a driver's license issued by the 
  2.24  state or another state is required to operate an all-terrain 
  2.25  vehicle along or on a public road right-of-way. 
  2.26     (b) A person under 12 years of age shall not: 
  2.27     (1) make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way; 
  2.28     (2) operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public road 
  2.29  right-of-way in the state; or 
  2.30     (3) operate an all-terrain vehicle on public lands or 
  2.31  waters.  
  2.32     (c) Except for public road rights-of-way of interstate 
  2.33  highways, a person 12 years of age but less than 16 years may 
  2.34  make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way of a trunk, 
  2.35  county state-aid, or county highway or operate on public lands 
  2.36  and waters, only if that person possesses a valid all-terrain 
  3.1   vehicle safety certificate issued by the commissioner and is 
  3.2   accompanied on another all-terrain vehicle by a person 18 years 
  3.3   of age or older who holds a valid driver's license.  
  3.4      (d) All-terrain vehicle safety certificates issued by the 
  3.5   commissioner to persons 12 years old, but less than 16 years 
  3.6   old, are not valid for machines in excess of 90cc engine 
  3.7   capacity unless: 
  3.8      (1) the person successfully completed the safety education 
  3.9   and training program under section 84.925, subdivision 1, 
  3.10  including a riding component; 
  3.11     (2) the riding component of the training was conducted 
  3.12  using an all-terrain vehicle with over 90cc engine capacity; and 
  3.13     (3) the person is able to properly reach and control both 
  3.14  the handle bars and foot pegs while sitting upright on the seat 
  3.15  of the all-terrain vehicle.