SB 5031 - DIGEST

Requires the department to adopt standards for and implement a comprehensive all-terrain vehicle safety education and training program. The program must provide for the hands-on training of all-terrain vehicle operators, and for the issuance of all-terrain vehicle safety certificates to operators who successfully complete the training. Course content must be adopted from a curriculum developed by a nationally recognized safety organization, such as the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute.

Provides that the department may authorize persons, clubs, associations, municipalities, or other political subdivisions of the state to conduct classes and issue all-terrain vehicle safety certificates in the director's name. Any authorized person, club, association, municipality, or political subdivision may charge a reasonable fee, subject to department approval, for the training course.

Requires that, beginning July 1, 2006, to operate an ATV on public land a person must possess a safety certificate issued by the director or by another state or Canadian province. A nonresident who does not possess a safety certificate may operate an ATV on public land for five days in a calendar year.

Declares that all-terrain vehicles with engine capacity of seventy cubic centimeter displacement ("cc") up to and including ninety cc may be operated on public land only by those aged twelve years and older.

Declares that all-terrain vehicles with engine capacity greater than ninety cc may be operated on public land only by those aged sixteen years and older.

Requires persons under age sixteen to be under continuous adult supervision while operating an ATV on public land.