SB959,,112023 SENATE BILL 959
January 26, 2024 - Introduced by Senators Marklein, Ballweg, Cowles, James and Testin, cosponsored by Representatives Mursau, Edming, O’Connor, Oldenburg, Schmidt and Tranel. Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage.
SB959,,22An Act to repeal 23.33 (11) (am) 3. c.; to renumber 23.33 (1) (ja), 23.33 (1) (jc), 23.33 (1) (jd) and 23.33 (1) (je); to renumber and amend 23.33 (11m); to amend 23.33 (3) (a), 23.33 (4) (d) 3. b., 23.33 (11) (am) 3. (intro.), 23.33 (11) (am) 4., 340.01 (3) (a), 340.01 (3) (b), 340.01 (3) (c), 340.01 (3) (d), 340.01 (3) (dg), 340.01 (3) (dh) and 340.01 (3) (dm) (intro.); and to create 23.33 (1) (jb), 23.33 (1) (jf), 23.33 (1) (jg), 23.33 (1) (jh), 23.33 (4) (d) 8., 23.33 (11m) (b), 23.33 (13) (g) and 340.01 (37r) of the statutes; relating to: operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual.
SB959,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes numerous changes to laws relating to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), and snowmobiles.
Careless operation of an ATV or UTV
Current law prohibits a person from operating an ATV or UTV in any careless way that endangers the person or property of another. The bill prohibits a person from operating an ATV or UTV in any careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to impair the life, person, or property of another. Under the bill, for a violation of this prohibition that results in impairment of the property of another, the court may hold the defendant liable for treble damages, to be recovered by the person responsible for maintenance of the property, and may order the defendant to restore, rebuild, repair, or replace the property.
ATV and UTV operation on bridges
Under current law generally, a person may not operate an ATV or UTV on a highway. However, a person may operate an ATV or UTV on the shoulder or roadway of a highway to cross a bridge that is no more than 1,000 feet long if the operation complies with a local ordinance that applies to the bridge. Current law requires that such an ordinance requires a person to stop his or her ATV or UTV before crossing the bridge. The bill eliminates the 1,000-foot limitation and the requirement that a person stop before crossing the bridge.