1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying operating provisions for certain 
1.3 	recreational vehicles; providing for dual registration of certain motorcycles; 
1.4 	modifying special vehicle use on roadways; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, 
1.5 	sections 84.777, subdivision 2; 84.788, by adding a subdivision; 84.9257; 
1.6 	168.002, subdivision 18; 168A.085; 169.045, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.777, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.9 		Subd. 2.Off-highway vehicle seasonal restrictions. (a) The commissioner shall 
1.10 	prescribe seasons for off-highway vehicle use on state forest lands. Except for designated 
1.11 	forest roads, a person must not operate an off-highway vehicle on state forest lands: (1) 
1.12 	outside of the seasons prescribed under this paragraph; or (2) during the firearms deer 
1.13 	hunting season in areas of the state where deer may be taken by rifle. This paragraph 
1.14 	does not apply to a person in possession of a valid deer hunting license operating an 
1.15 	off-highway vehicle before or after legal shooting hours or from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
1.16 	(b) The commissioner may designate and post winter trails on state forest lands 
1.17 	for use by off-highway vehicles.
1.18 	(c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "state forest lands" means forest lands under 
1.19 	the authority of the commissioner as defined in section 89.001, subdivision 13, and lands 
1.20 	managed by the commissioner under section 282.011.

1.21 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.788, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.22 	to read:
2.1 		Subd. 12.Dual registration. (a) An off-highway motorcycle registered under 
2.2 	this section may also be registered as a motorcycle under chapter 168 for use on public 
2.3 	roads and highways.
2.4 	(b) If the off-highway motorcycle was not originally constructed primarily for use 
2.5 	on public roads and highways, the off-highway motorcycle must be equipped with mirrors 
2.6 	and a headlight, taillight, and horn and be otherwise modified as necessary to meet the 
2.7 	requirements of chapter 169 for motorcycles regarding safety and acceptability to operate 
2.8 	on public roads and highways.
2.9 	(c) An applicant for registration under chapter 168 must submit an inspection form, 
2.10 	prescribed by the commissioner of public safety. The inspection form must be completed 
2.11 	by a police officer, as defined under section 169.011, and certify that the off-highway 
2.12 	motorcycle meets the requirements of chapter 169 for motorcycles regarding safety and 
2.13 	acceptability to operate on public roads and highways.
2.14 	(d) Chapter 168A does not apply to an off-highway motorcycle modified to meet the 
2.15 	requirements of chapter 169 according to this subdivision.

2.16 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.9257, is amended to read:
2.17 	84.9257 PASSENGERS.
2.18 	(a) A person 18 years of age or older may operate a class 1 all-terrain vehicle 
2.19 	carrying only one passenger.
2.20 	(b) A person 18 years of age or older may operate a class 2 all-terrain vehicle while 
2.21 	carrying a only one passenger, or up to the number of passengers for which the vehicle 
2.22 	was designed, whichever is greater.
2.23 	(c) A person 12 to 17 years of age may operate a class 1 all-terrain vehicle carrying 
2.24 	only one passenger and the passenger must be the person's parent or legal guardian.

2.25 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 168.002, subdivision 18, is amended to read:
2.26 		Subd. 18.Motor vehicle. (a) "Motor vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle 
2.27 	designed and originally manufactured to operate primarily on highways, and not operated 
2.28 	exclusively upon railroad tracks. It includes any vehicle propelled or drawn by a 
2.29 	self-propelled vehicle and includes vehicles known as trackless trolleys that are propelled 
2.30 	by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails. It does 
2.31 	not include snowmobiles, manufactured homes, or park trailers.
2.32 	(b) "Motor vehicle" includes an all-terrain vehicle only if the all-terrain vehicle 
2.33 	(1) has at least four wheels, (2) is owned and operated by a physically disabled person, 
3.1 	and (3) displays both disability plates and a physically disabled certificate issued under 
3.2 	section 169.345.
3.3 	(c) "Motor vehicle" does not include an all-terrain vehicle except (1) an all-terrain 
3.4 	vehicle described in paragraph (b), or (2) an all-terrain vehicle licensed as a motor vehicle 
3.5 	before August 1, 1985. The owner may continue to license an all-terrain vehicle described 
3.6 	in clause (2) as a motor vehicle until it is conveyed or otherwise transferred to another 
3.7 	owner, is destroyed, or fails to comply with the registration and licensing requirements 
3.8 	of this chapter.
3.9 	(d) "Motor vehicle" does not include an electric personal assistive mobility device as 
3.10 	defined in section 169.011, subdivision 26.
3.11 	(e) "Motor vehicle" does not include a motorized foot scooter as defined in section 
3.12 	169.011, subdivision 46.
3.13 	(f) "Motor vehicle" includes an off-highway motorcycle modified to meet the 
3.14 	requirements of chapter 169 according to section 84.788, subdivision 12.

3.15 	Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 168A.085, is amended to read:
3.16 	168A.085 APPLICATION FOR TITLE OR REGISTRATION, CERTAIN 
3.17 	CASES.
3.18 		Subdivision 1.Limitations. No application for certificate of title or registration may 
3.19 	be issued for a vehicle that was not manufactured in compliance with applicable federal 
3.20 	emission standards in force at the time of manufacture as provided by the Clean Air Act, 
3.21 	United States Code, title 42, sections 7401 through 7642, and regulations adopted pursuant 
3.22 	thereto, and safety standards as provided by the National Traffic and Motor Safety Act, 
3.23 	United States Code, title 15, sections 1381 through 1431, and regulations adopted pursuant 
3.24 	thereto, unless the applicant furnishes either proof satisfactory to the agent that the vehicle 
3.25 	was not brought into the United States from outside the country or all of the following:
3.26 	(1) a bond release letter, with all attachments, issued by the United States Department 
3.27 	of Transportation acknowledging receipt of a statement of compliance submitted by the 
3.28 	importer of the vehicle and that the statement meets the safety requirements as provided 
3.29 	by Code of Federal Regulations, title 19, section 12.80(e);
3.30 	(2) a bond release letter, with all attachments, issued by the United States 
3.31 	Environmental Protection Agency stating that the vehicle has been tested and known to 
3.32 	be in conformity with federal emission requirements; and
3.33 	(3) a receipt or certificate issued by the United States Department of the Treasury 
3.34 	showing that any gas-guzzler taxes due on the vehicle as provided by Public Law 95-618, 
3.35 	title 2, section 201(a), have been fully paid.
4.1 		Subd. 2.Accompanying documents. The application for certificate of title and the 
4.2 	application for registration must be accompanied by a manufacturer's certificate of origin 
4.3 	in the English language which was issued by the actual vehicle manufacturer and either:
4.4 	(1) the original documents constituting valid proof of ownership in the country in 
4.5 	which the vehicle was originally purchased, together with a translation of the documents 
4.6 	into the English language verified as to accuracy of the translation by affidavit of the 
4.7 	translator; or
4.8 	(2) with regard to a vehicle imported from a country that cancels the vehicle 
4.9 	registration and title for export, a bond as required by section 168A.07, subdivision 1, 
4.10 	clause (2). 

4.11 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.12 		Subdivision 1.Designation of roadway, permit. The governing body of any 
4.13 	county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town may by ordinance authorize the 
4.14 	operation of motorized golf carts, four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, or mini trucks, on 
4.15 	designated roadways or portions thereof under its jurisdiction. Authorization to operate a 
4.16 	motorized golf cart, four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck is by permit only. For 
4.17 	purposes of this section, a four-wheel an all-terrain vehicle is a motorized flotation-tired 
4.18 	vehicle with four low-pressure tires that is limited in engine displacement of less than 800 
4.19 	cubic centimeters and total dry weight less than 600 pounds has the meaning given in 
4.20 	section 84.92, and a mini truck has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 40a.

4.21 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.22 		Subd. 2.Ordinance. The ordinance shall designate the roadways, prescribe the 
4.23 	form of the application for the permit, require evidence of insurance complying with the 
4.24 	provisions of section 65B.48, subdivision 5 and may prescribe conditions, not inconsistent 
4.25 	with the provisions of this section, under which a permit may be granted. Permits may be 
4.26 	granted for a period of not to exceed one year three years, and may be annually renewed. 
4.27 	A permit may be revoked at any time if there is evidence that the permittee cannot safely 
4.28 	operate the motorized golf cart, four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck on the 
4.29 	designated roadways. The ordinance may require, as a condition to obtaining a permit, 
4.30 	that the applicant submit a certificate signed by a physician that the applicant is able 
4.31 	to safely operate a motorized golf cart, four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck on 
4.32 	the roadways designated.

4.33 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
5.1 		Subd. 3.Times of operation. Motorized golf carts and four-wheel all-terrain 
5.2 	vehicles may only be operated on designated roadways from sunrise to sunset, unless 
5.3 	equipped with original equipment headlights, taillights, and rear-facing brake lights. 
5.4 	They shall not be operated in inclement weather, except during emergency conditions as 
5.5 	provided in the ordinance, or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or other 
5.6 	conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light visibility to clearly see persons 
5.7 	and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.

5.8 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
5.9 		Subd. 5.Crossing intersecting highways. The operator, under permit, of a 
5.10 	motorized golf cart, four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck may cross any street or 
5.11 	highway intersecting a designated roadway.

5.12 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
5.13 		Subd. 6.Application of traffic laws. Every person operating a motorized golf cart, 
5.14 	four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck under permit on designated roadways has all 
5.15 	the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the provisions of 
5.16 	this chapter, except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf 
5.17 	carts, four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, or mini trucks and except as otherwise specifically 
5.18 	provided in subdivision 7.

5.19 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
5.20 		Subd. 7.Nonapplication of certain laws. The provisions of chapter 171 are 
5.21 	applicable to persons operating mini trucks, but are not applicable to persons operating 
5.22 	motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles under permit on designated 
5.23 	roadways pursuant to this section. Except for the requirements of section 169.70, the 
5.24 	provisions of this chapter relating to equipment on vehicles are not applicable to motorized 
5.25 	golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles operating, under permit, on designated 
5.26 	roadways.

5.27 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.045, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
5.28 		Subd. 8.Insurance. In the event persons operating a motorized golf cart, four-wheel
5.29 	all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck under this section cannot obtain liability insurance in 
5.30 	the private market, that person may purchase automobile insurance, including no-fault 
5.31 	coverage, from the Minnesota Automobile Insurance Plan under sections 65B.01 to 
5.32 	65B.12, at a rate to be determined by the commissioner of commerce.