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An Act To Provide Greater Access to ATVs by Lowering the Minimum Operating Age
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13154-A, sub-§3,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §404 and affected by §422 and enacted by c. 695, Pt. B, §12 and affected by Pt. C, §1, is amended to read:
 
3. Unlawfully operating ATV by person 10 to under 14 years of age.   Except as provided in subsection 6, a person 10 years of age or older but under 1614 years of age may not operate an ATV unless that person has successfully completed a training course approved by the department pursuant to section 13152 and is accompanied by an adult.
 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §13154-A, sub-§4,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §404 and affected by §422 and enacted by c. 695, Pt. B, §12 and affected by Pt. C, §1, is amended to read:
 
4. Person under 14 years of age crossing public way.   A person under 1614 years of age may not cross a public way maintained for travel unless the crossing is in accordance with section 13157-A, subsection 6, paragraph A and the person satisfies the requirements of subsection 3.
 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13154-A, sub-§5,  as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §404 and affected by §422 and enacted by c. 695, Pt. B, §12 and affected by Pt. C, §1, is amended to read:
 
5. Permitting an unaccompanied person under 14 years of age to operate an ATV.   Except as provided in subsection 6, a person may not permit an unaccompanied person 10 years of age or older but under 1614 years of age to operate an ATV.
 
A.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
 
B.  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
 
SUMMARY
This bill lowers the minimum age that a person may operate an ATV unaccompanied by an adult from 16 years of age to 14 years of age.