Chapter 23

23.335(12)(L)1.a. a. Inform off-highway motorcycle operators of the prohibitions and penalties included in the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law.

23.335(12)(L)1.b. b. Provide for the development of signs briefly explaining the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law.

23.335(12)(L)2. 2. The department shall develop and issue an educational pamphlet on the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law to be distributed to persons issued off-highway motorcycle registration certificates under sub. (3).

23.335(13) (13) Age restrictions; safety certificate requirements.

23.335(13)(a) (a) Under 12 years of age. A person who is under 12 years of age may not operate an off-highway motorcycle on a roadway under any circumstances and may not operate an off-highway motorcycle off a roadway unless he or she is accompanied by a parent or guardian or by a person who is at least 18 years of age who has been designated by the parent or guardian.

23.335(13)(b) (b) At least 12 years of age. No person who is at least 12 years of age and born after January 1, 1998, may operate an off-highway motorcycle off the highways unless the person holds a valid certificate issued by the department under sub. (14) or by another state or a province of Canada.

23.335(13)(bg) (bg) Proof required. Any person who is required under sub. (13) to hold a safety certificate while operating an off-highway motorcycle shall carry proof that the person holds a valid safety certificate and shall display that proof to a law enforcement officer on request.

23.335(13)(br) (br) Operation during safety certification program. Persons enrolled in a safety certification program under sub. (14) may operate an off-highway motorcycle in an area designated by the instructor.

23.335(13)(c) (c) Exemptions.

23.335(13)(c)1. 1. The restrictions under pars. (a) and (b) do not apply to the operation of an off-highway motorcycle on private property if the owner of the property has given consent for the operation and does not hold the property out to the public for use of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(13)(c)2. 2. The restriction under par. (a) does not apply to a person who is operating a limited use off-highway motorcycle at an off-highway motorcycle event sponsored by a local governmental unit, by an off-highway motorcycle association, or by a similar organization that is approved by a local governmental unit, who is wearing protective headgear in compliance with sub. (8) (a) or (b), and who is accompanied by a person who is at least 18 years of age or a parent or guardian.

23.335(14) (14) Safety certification program. The department shall establish or supervise the establishment of a program of instruction on laws related to the operation of off-highway motorcycles for recreational purposes off the highways. The program shall include instruction on the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law, safety, and related subjects. The department shall establish by rule an instruction fee for this program. All or part of this program may be conducted by means of online instruction. The department shall issue certificates to persons successfully completing the program. An instructor conducting the program of instruction under this subsection shall collect the fee from each person who receives instruction. The department may determine the portion of this fee, which may not exceed 50 percent, that the instructor may retain to defray expenses incurred by the instructor in conducting the program. The instructor shall remit the remainder of the fee or, if nothing is retained, the entire fee to the department. The department shall issue a duplicate certificate of accomplishment to a person who is entitled to a duplicate certificate of accomplishment and who pays a fee of $2.75.

23.335(15) (15) Safety grant program.

23.335(15)(a) (a) The department shall establish a program to award grants to organizations that meet the eligibility requirements under par. (b).

23.335(15)(b) (b) To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, an organization shall meet all of the following requirements:

23.335(15)(b)1. 1. The organization is a nonstock corporation organized in this state.

23.335(15)(b)2. 2. The organization promotes the off-highway operation of off-highway motorcycles in a manner that is safe and responsible and that does not harm the environment.

23.335(15)(b)3. 3. The organization promotes the off-highway operation of off-highway motorcycles in a manner that does not conflict with the laws, rules, and departmental policies that are applicable to the operation of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(15)(b)4. 4. The interest of the organization is limited to the recreational operation of off-highway motorcycles on off-highway motorcycle trails, off-highway motorcycle routes, and other areas that are off the highways.

23.335(15)(b)5. 5. The organization provides support to off-highway motorcycle clubs.

23.335(15)(c) (c) An organization receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the grant moneys to promote and provide support to the safety certification program established under sub. (14) by conducting activities that include all of the following:

23.335(15)(c)1. 1. Collecting data on the recreational off-highway operation of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(15)(c)2. 2. Providing assistance to the department in locating, recruiting, and training instructors for the safety certification program established under sub. (14).

23.335(15)(c)3. 3. Attempting to increase participation by current and future off-highway motorcycle operators and owners in the safety certification program established under sub. (14).

23.335(15)(c)4. 4. Assisting the department of natural resources and the department of tourism in creating an outreach program to inform local communities of appropriate recreational off-highway use of off-highway motorcycles in their communities and of the economic benefits that may be gained from promoting tourism to attract persons who will participate in the recreational off-highway use of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(15)(c)5. 5. Attempting to improve and maintain its relationship with all of the following:

23.335(15)(c)5.a. a. The department of natural resources and the department of tourism.

23.335(15)(c)5.b. b. Off-highway motorcycle dealers and manufacturers of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(15)(c)5.c. c. All-terrain vehicle dealers, as defined in s. 23.33 (1) (bd), and all-terrain vehicle manufacturers, as defined in s. 23.33 (1) (bp).

23.335(15)(c)5.d. d. Snowmobile clubs, as defined in s. 350.138 (1) (e), snowmobile alliances, as defined in s. 350.138 (1) (d), and other organizations that promote the recreational operation of snowmobiles.

23.335(15)(c)6. 6. Recruiting, assisting in the training of, and providing support to, a corps of volunteers that will assist in providing instruction on the safe and responsible off-highway operation of off-highway motorcycles that is given in the field to operators of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(15)(c)7. 7. Assist the department in publishing a manual that will be used to train volunteers in monitoring the recreational off-highway operation of off-highway motorcycles for safety issues and other issues that relate to responsible operation.

23.335(15)(d) (d) The department shall pay the grants from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (9) (jq).

23.335(17) (17) Equipment requirements.

23.335(17)(a) (a) No person may operate a limited use off-highway motorcycle during hours of darkness unless it is equipped with a lighted headlamp and a lighted tail lamp. The headlamp is required to display a white light of sufficient illuminating power to reveal any person, vehicle, or substantial object at a distance of at least 200 feet ahead of the off-highway motorcycle. The tail lamp is required to display a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.

23.335(17)(b) (b) No person may operate a limited use off-highway motorcycle unless it is equipped with all of the following:

23.335(17)(b)1. 1. At least one brake operated either by hand or by foot.

23.335(17)(b)2. 2. Foot rests or pegs for the operator and any passenger.

23.335(17)(b)3. 3. A functioning spark arrester of a type approved by the U.S. forest service.

23.335(17)(b)4. 4. A functioning muffler unless the off-highway motorcycle is propelled by electric power.

23.335(17)(c) (c) No person may operate a limited use off-highway motorcycle unless the limited use off-highway motorcycle is constructed in such a manner that noise emitted from the limited use off-highway motorcycle does not exceed 96 decibels on the A scale as measured in the manner required under rules promulgated by the department.

23.335(17)(d) (d) Paragraphs (a) to (c) do not apply to the operation of a limited use off-highway motorcycle on private property if the owner of the property has given consent for the operation and does not hold the property out to the public for use of off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(17)(e) (e) Paragraphs (b) 3. and (c) do not apply to the operation of a limited use off-highway motorcycle that is operated in racing on a public raceway facility or as part of a special public off-highway motorcycle event as authorized under sub. (10) (b).

23.335(18) (18) Accidents.

23.335(18)(a) (a) If an operator of an off-highway motorcycle is involved in an accident that occurs off a highway and that results in the death of any person or in the injury of any person on public land that requires treatment by a physician, the operator of each off-highway motorcycle involved in the accident shall give notice of the accident to a conservation warden or local law enforcement officer as soon as possible. Each operator shall also file a written report of the accident with the department on the form provided by it within 10 days after the accident.

23.335(18)(b) (b) If an operator of an off-highway motorcycle is physically incapable of making the report required under par. (a) and there was another witness to the accident capable of making the report, the witness may make the report.

23.335(19) (19) Trails and routes.

23.335(19)(a) (a) Department authority. The department shall encourage, develop, and supervise a system of off-highway motorcycle trails and off-highway motorcycle routes. The department may establish standards and procedures for designating off-highway motorcycle trails and off-highway motorcycle routes under the jurisdiction of the department.

23.335(19)(b) (b) Trails. A local governmental unit or the department may designate corridors through land which it owns or controls, or for which it obtains leases, easements, or permission, for recreational use as off-highway motorcycle trails. A designation may include all or a portion of an all-terrain vehicle trail.

23.335(19)(c) (c) Routes. A local governmental unit may designate highways as off-highway motorcycle routes. No state trunk highway or connecting highway may be designated as an off-highway motorcycle route unless the department of transportation approves the designation.

23.335(19)(d) (d) Restrictions. The designating local governmental unit may specify effective periods for the use of off-highway motorcycle trails and off-highway motorcycle routes and may restrict or prohibit the operation of off-highway motorcycles during certain periods of the year.

23.335(19)(e) (e) Signs. The department, in cooperation with the department of transportation, shall establish uniform signs and standards for off-highway motorcycle routes and off-highway motorcycle trails.

23.335(19)(f) (f) Interference with signs and standards prohibited.

23.335(19)(f)1. 1. No person may intentionally remove, damage, deface, move, obstruct, or interfere with the effective operation of any uniform off-highway motorcycle route sign or standard or any uniform off-highway motorcycle trail sign or standard if the sign or standard is legally placed by the state, any local governmental unit, or any authorized individual.

23.335(19)(f)2. 2. No person may possess any uniform off-highway motorcycle route sign or standard or any uniform off-highway motorcycle trail sign or standard of the type established by the department for the warning, instruction, or information of the public unless he or she obtained the uniform sign or standard in a lawful manner. Possession of a uniform sign or standard creates a rebuttable presumption of illegal possession.

23.335(20) (20) Enforcement activities and projects; funding.

23.335(20)(a) (a) Calculation of registration fees. Before January 1 of each fiscal year, the department shall determine the total amount of fees received from the registration of off-highway motorcycles under subs. (4) (d) and (e) and (5) (e) in the previous fiscal year.

23.335(20)(b) (b) Off-highway motorcycle projects. The department may use funding from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (9) (jq) for off-highway motorcycle projects that are undertaken by the state or by local governmental units. Any of the following types of off-highway motorcycle projects are eligible for funding:

23.335(20)(b)1. 1. Acquisition of an easement or land in fee simple.

23.335(20)(b)2. 2. An off-highway motorcycle facility such as a parking area, riding area, shelter, toilets, or other improvement.

23.335(20)(b)3. 3. Development of off-highway motorcycle routes or off-highway motorcycle trails.

23.335(20)(b)4. 4. Development or maintenance of an all-terrain vehicle trail, all-terrain vehicle route, or all-terrain vehicle facility or a snowmobile trail, snowmobile route, or snowmobile facility, if the trail, route, or facility is open for use by off-highway motorcycles.

23.335(20)(b)5. 5. Maintenance of off-highway motorcycle trails and off-highway motorcycle routes, including routes on roadways that are not maintained or only minimally maintained for motor vehicle traffic on a seasonal basis.

23.335(20)(b)6. 6. Purchase of liability insurance.

23.335(20)(c) (c) Priorities. In providing funding for the types of projects listed in par. (b), the department shall give higher overall priority to projects for facilities and trails that are open only for use by off-highway motorcycles. In determining which off-highway motorcycle projects will be provided funding, the department shall consider all of the following:

23.335(20)(c)1. 1. The distance of a proposed off-highway project from a comparable existing project.

23.335(20)(c)2. 2. The amount of interest demonstrated by a community in developing or maintaining an off-highway motorcycle project.

23.335(20)(c)3. 3. The amount of support demonstrated by a local governmental unit in which the project will be located.

23.335(20)(c)4. 4. The number of existing trails, routes, and facilities that are open to off-highway motorcycles or that are in the process of being developed.

23.335(20)(d) (d) Signs. In addition to the types of projects listed in par. (b), the department may provide funding under this subsection to a local governmental unit for up to 100 percent of the cost of placing signs developed under sub. (12) (L) 1. b.

23.335(20)(e) (e) Charging of fees. A local governmental unit that has not received funding under par. (b) in the prior fiscal year may charge a seasonal or daily use fee for an off-highway motorcycle area operated by the local governmental unit.

23.335(21) (21) Local ordinances.

23.335(21)(a) (a) Any local governmental unit may enact an ordinance that is in strict conformity with this section and rules promulgated by the department under this section, if the ordinance encompasses all aspects encompassed by this section.

23.335(21)(am) (am) A county, city, village, or town may enact an ordinance to authorize the operation of limited use off-highway motorcycles on a highway bridge that is not part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, that is 1,000 feet in length or less, and that is located within the territorial boundaries of the county, city, village, or town regardless of whether the county, city, village, or town has jurisdiction over the highway. Any such ordinance shall require a person crossing a bridge to do all of the following:

23.335(21)(am)1. 1. Cross the bridge in the most direct manner practicable and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing.

23.335(21)(am)2. 2. Stay as far to the right of the roadway or shoulder as practicable.

23.335(21)(am)3. 3. Stop the vehicle prior to the crossing.

23.335(21)(am)4. 4. Yield the right-of-way to other vehicles, pedestrians, electric scooters, and electric personal assistive mobility devices using the roadway or shoulder.

23.335(21)(am)5. 5. Exit the highway as quickly and safely as practicable after crossing the bridge.

23.335(21)(b) (b) If a local governmental unit enacts an ordinance regulating off-highway motorcycles, its clerk shall immediately send a copy of the ordinance to the department, to the state traffic patrol, and to the office of any law enforcement agency of each local governmental unit having jurisdiction over any of the highways to which the ordinance applies.

23.335(22) (22) Enforcement.

23.335(22)(a) (a) A law enforcement officer has the authority and jurisdiction to enforce this section and ordinances enacted in accordance with this section.

23.335(22)(b) (b) No operator of an off-highway motorcycle may refuse to stop after being requested or signaled to do so by a law enforcement officer.

23.335(23) (23) Penalties.

23.335(23)(a) (a) Generally. Except as provided in pars. (b) to (f), any person who violates this section shall forfeit not more than $250.

23.335(23)(b) (b) Penalty related to nonresident trail passes. Any person who violates sub. (6) (am) shall forfeit not more than $1,000.

23.335(23)(c) (c) Penalties related to intoxicated operation.

23.335(23)(c)1. 1. Except as provided under subds. 2., 3., and 4., a person who violates sub. (12) (a) 1., 2., or 2m. or (h) shall forfeit not less than $150 nor more than $300.

23.335(23)(c)2. 2. Except as provided under subds. 3. and 4., a person who violates sub. (12) (a) 1., 2., or 2m. or (h) and who, within 5 years prior to the arrest for the current violation, was convicted previously under the intoxicated operation of an off-highway motorcycle law shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $1,100 and shall be imprisoned not less than 5 days nor more than 6 months.