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        PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1409                      PRINTER'S NO. 1708

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 1096 Session of 2007


        INTRODUCED BY GORDNER, RHOADES, EARLL, D. WHITE, TARTAGLIONE,
           FOLMER, MUSTO, WONDERLING, BAKER AND FERLO,
           SEPTEMBER 21, 2007

        SENATOR MADIGAN, TRANSPORTATION, AS AMENDED, JANUARY 29, 2008

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated     <--
     2     Statutes, further providing for trespass by motor vehicle and
     3     for deposit and use of funds in a restricted account for
     4     snowmobiles and ATVs.
     5  AMENDING TITLE 75 (VEHICLES) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED     <--
     6     STATUTES, FURTHER PROVIDING, IN SNOWMOBILES AND ALL-TERRAIN
     7     VEHICLES, FOR THE DEFINITION OF "ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE" OR
     8     "ATV," FOR OPERATION ON STATE OR PRIVATE PROPERTY AND FOR
     9     PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF CHAPTER.

    10     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    11  hereby enacts as follows:
    12     Section 1.  Section 3717(e) of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania    <--
    13  Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
    14  § 3717.  Trespass by motor vehicle.
    15     * * *
    16     (e)  Offense defined.--The following penalties shall apply:
    17         (1)  A person who violates subsection (b) commits a
    18     summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be subject to a
    19     fine of $100.
    20         (2)  A person who violates subsection (c) or (d) commits
    21     a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be subject to

     1     the following penalties:
     2             (i)  A fine of $500 for a first conviction of the
     3         offense.
     4             (ii)  A fine of $1,000 plus suspension of operating
     5         privileges for a period of six months for a second or
     6         subsequent conviction of the offense. If a person is
     7         under 16 years of age at the time of the second or
     8         subsequent conviction of an offense, the period of
     9         suspension shall commence upon the person's 16th
    10         birthday.
    11         (3)  In addition, restitution shall be made for the value
    12     of damage to real or personal property which results from the
    13     violation of this section.
    14         (4)  In addition to any other penalty provided in this
    15     section, any person who uses an all-terrain vehicle or ATV as
    16     defined in section 7702 (relating to definitions) in
    17     violation of this section shall be subject to the following
    18     additional penalties:
    19             (i)  For a first offense, the person shall be
    20         sentenced to pay an additional fine of not more than $150
    21         and costs of prosecution.
    22             (ii)  For a second or subsequent offense, the person
    23         shall be sentenced to pay an additional fine of not more
    24         than $250 and costs of prosecution.
    25     Section 2.  Section 7706(a) of Title 75 is amended to read:
    26  § 7706.  Restricted account.
    27     (a)  Deposit and use of moneys.--
    28         (1)  The department shall deposit the following into a
    29     restricted account, which is hereby established:
    30             (i)  all moneys received from the registration of and
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     1         issuance of certificates of title for snowmobiles and
     2         ATV's;
     3             (ii)  all revenue from the sale of any publications
     4         or services relating to snowmobiles and ATV's; and
     5             (iii)  all fines, penalties, fees and costs assessed
     6         and collected as a result of enforcement activities
     7         conducted by the department's law enforcement personnel
     8         under this chapter.
     9         (2)  The department shall draw moneys from the restricted
    10     account for use in performing any activities necessary to
    11     carry out the purposes of this chapter, including
    12     registration and certificate of title activities, training,
    13     education, enforcement activities, construction and
    14     maintenance of snowmobile and ATV trails and acquisition of
    15     equipment, supplies and interests in land. All moneys
    16     deposited in this account shall remain in it to be used as
    17     specified in this section.
    18         (3)  The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 3573(b)(2) (relating
    19     to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.)
    20     notwithstanding, when prosecution under this chapter is the
    21     result of local police action, one-half of all fines,
    22     penalties, fees and costs assessed as a result of such
    23     prosecution shall be payable to the municipal corporation
    24     under which the local police are organized. The department
    25     shall deposit the remaining moneys into the restricted
    26     account established in this section.
    27     * * *
    28     SECTION 1.  THE DEFINITION OF "ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE" OR "ATV"   <--
    29  IN SECTION 7702 OF TITLE 75 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED
    30  STATUTES IS AMENDED TO READ:
    20070S1096B1708                  - 3 -     

     1  § 7702.  DEFINITIONS.
     2     THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS CHAPTER
     3  SHALL HAVE, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE, THE
     4  MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION:
     5     "ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE" OR "ATV."  A MOTORIZED OFF-HIGHWAY
     6  VEHICLE WHICH TRAVELS ON THREE OR MORE INFLATABLE TIRES AND
     7  WHICH HAS:
     8         (1)  A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 50 INCHES AND A MAXIMUM DRY
     9     WEIGHT OF [800] 1,000 POUNDS; OR
    10         (2)  A WIDTH WHICH EXCEEDS 50 INCHES OR A DRY WEIGHT
    11     WHICH EXCEEDS [800] 1,000 POUNDS.
    12  ATV'S DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (1) MAY BE REFERRED TO AS CLASS I
    13  ATV'S, AND ATV'S DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (2) MAY BE REFERRED TO
    14  AS CLASS II ATV'S. THIS TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE SNOWMOBILES, TRAIL
    15  BIKES, MOTORBOATS, GOLF CARTS, AIRCRAFT, DUNE BUGGIES,
    16  AUTOMOBILES, CONSTRUCTION MACHINES, TRUCKS OR HOME UTILITY
    17  MACHINES; MILITARY, FIRE, EMERGENCY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
    18  VEHICLES; IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY; MULTIPURPOSE AGRICULTURAL
    19  VEHICLES; VEHICLES USED BY THE DEPARTMENT; OR ANY VEHICLE THAT
    20  IS OR IS REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER CHAPTER 13 (RELATING TO
    21  REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES). IN ADDITION, THIS TERM DOES NOT
    22  INCLUDE OFF-ROAD MOTOR VEHICLES USED EXCLUSIVELY AS UTILITY
    23  VEHICLES FOR AGRICULTURAL OR BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND
    24  INCIDENTALLY OPERATED OR MOVED UPON THE HIGHWAY.
    25     * * *
    26     SECTION 2.  SECTIONS 7724 AND 7752 OF TITLE 75 ARE AMENDED TO
    27  READ:
    28  § 7724.  OPERATION ON PRIVATE OR STATE PROPERTY.
    29     (A)  PRIVATE REAL PROPERTY.--
    30         (1)  NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE OR AN ATV ON
    20070S1096B1708                  - 4 -     

     1     PRIVATE REAL PROPERTY WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER
     2     THEREOF. ANY PERSON OPERATING A SNOWMOBILE OR AN ATV UPON
     3     LANDS OF ANOTHER SHALL STOP AND IDENTIFY HIMSELF UPON THE
     4     REQUEST OF THE LANDOWNER OR HIS DULY AUTHORIZED
     5     REPRESENTATIVES AND, IF REQUESTED TO DO SO BY THE LANDOWNER,
     6     SHALL PROMPTLY REMOVE THE SNOWMOBILE OR ATV FROM THE
     7     PREMISES.
     8         [(2)  WHEN A PERSON OPERATES A SNOWMOBILE OR AN ATV IN A
     9     MANNER AS TO VIOLATE SECTION 3717 (RELATING TO TRESPASS BY
    10     MOTOR VEHICLE), THE APPLICABLE FINES, PENALTIES AND
    11     SUSPENSIONS PROVIDED IN THIS TITLE FOR VIOLATION OF SECTION
    12     3717 SHALL APPLY TO THIS SUBSECTION.]
    13         (2.1)  IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO KNOWINGLY OR
    14     RECKLESSLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO ANY REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY BY
    15     MEANS OF THE UNAUTHORIZED OPERATION OF AN ATV OR SNOWMOBILE
    16     ON PRIVATE REAL PROPERTY. THERE SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE
    17     PRESUMPTION THAT A PERSON HAS KNOWINGLY OR RECKLESSLY CAUSED
    18     DAMAGE UNDER THIS SUBSECTION WHERE DIGGING, GROUND BREAKAGE
    19     OR OTHER DAMAGE TO LAND, SOD OR SOIL OR DAMAGE TO TREES,
    20     GROWING CROPS, ORNAMENTAL FLOWERS OR SHRUBS OR OTHER SIMILAR
    21     FLORA AFFIXED TO THE LAND OR TO STRUCTURES, FIXTURES OR
    22     PERSONAL PROPERTY AFFIXED TO OR LOCATED ON THE PRIVATE REAL
    23     PROPERTY HAS RESULTED FROM THE OPERATION OF AN ATV OR
    24     SNOWMOBILE ON THE PRIVATE REAL PROPERTY.
    25         (2.2)  IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO KNOWINGLY OPERATE
    26     AN ATV OR SNOWMOBILE ON CULTIVATED AGRICULTURAL LAND OF
    27     ANOTHER WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER OR LESSOR. FOR
    28     PURPOSES OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE TERM "CULTIVATED
    29     AGRICULTURAL LAND" INCLUDES LAND WHICH IS OR HAS BEEN
    30     RECENTLY GROOMED OR PREPARED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESENT OR
    20070S1096B1708                  - 5 -     

     1     FUTURE COMMERCIAL OR PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL, SILVICULTURAL,
     2     HORTICULTURAL OR FLORICULTURAL PRODUCTION, WHETHER OR NOT THE
     3     LAND IS CURRENTLY IN SEED OR SUSTAINING GROWING CROPS. THERE
     4     SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT A PERSON HAS KNOWINGLY
     5     OPERATED A MOTOR VEHICLE ON CULTIVATED AGRICULTURAL LAND
     6     EITHER IF THERE ARE AGRICULTURAL CROPS OR RESIDUE FROM THE
     7     CROPS VISIBLE ON THE LAND OR IF THE OWNER OR LESSOR OF THE
     8     LAND HAS PLACED NEAR THE ROADSIDE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPERTY
     9     VISIBLE SIGNS WHICH WOULD EASILY CONVEY TO THE OPERATOR OF AN
    10     ATV OR SNOWMOBILE THAT THE LAND IS CULTIVATED AGRICULTURAL
    11     LAND AND THAT OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ON IT IS
    12     PROHIBITED.
    13     (B)  STATE PROPERTY.--
    14         (1)  NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE OR AN ATV ON
    15     STATE-OWNED PROPERTY EXCEPT ON CLEARLY MARKED AND PREVIOUSLY
    16     DESIGNATED SNOWMOBILE OR ATV ROUTES OR AS EXPRESSLY PERMITTED
    17     BY THE COMMONWEALTH.
    18         (2)  (I)  THE DEPARTMENT MAY DESIGNATE ANY ROAD WITHIN A
    19         STATE PARK OR STATE FOREST OVER WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS
    20         JURISDICTION AS A SNOWMOBILE ROAD OR AN ATV ROAD, OR
    21         BOTH, AND MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION, DETERMINE WHETHER THE
    22         ROAD SHALL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC OR WHETHER
    23         SNOWMOBILES AND ATV'S MAY SHARE THE DESIGNATED ROAD WITH
    24         VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. ADEQUATE NOTICES OF SUCH DESIGNATION
    25         AND DETERMINATION SHALL BE SUFFICIENTLY AND PROMINENTLY
    26         DISPLAYED.
    27             (II)  NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE OR ATV ON
    28         STATE PARK OR STATE FOREST LAND EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS:
    29                 (A)  A PERSON MAY OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE ON A ROAD,
    30             TRAIL OR AREA THAT IS DESIGNATED AND MARKED BY THE
    20070S1096B1708                  - 6 -     

     1             DEPARTMENT AS OPEN FOR SNOWMOBILE USE OR ON WHICH THE
     2             PERSON HAS BEEN GIVEN SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION TO
     3             OPERATE THE SNOWMOBILE.
     4                 (B)  A PERSON MAY OPERATE A CLASS I ATV ON A
     5             ROAD, TRAIL OR AREA THAT IS DESIGNATED AND MARKED BY
     6             THE DEPARTMENT AS OPEN FOR ATV USE OR ON WHICH THE
     7             PERSON HAS BEEN GIVEN SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION TO
     8             OPERATE THE ATV.
     9                 (C)  A PERSON MAY OPERATE A CLASS II ATV ON A
    10             ROAD, TRAIL OR AREA IF THE PERSON HAS BEEN GIVEN
    11             SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION BY THE DEPARTMENT TO
    12             OPERATE A CLASS II ATV ON THE ROAD, TRAIL OR AREA.
    13     (C)  RESTITUTION.--IN ADDITION TO PENALTIES PROVIDED UNDER
    14  SECTION 7752 (RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF CHAPTER)
    15  ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE
    16  RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTITUTION FOR THE VALUE OF DAMAGE TO REAL OR
    17  PERSONAL PROPERTY WHICH RESULTS FROM THE VIOLATION OF THIS
    18  SECTION.
    19  § 7752.  PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF CHAPTER.
    20     (A)  GENERAL RULE.--EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (C)
    21  [AND (D)], (D), (E) AND (F) AND UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN
    22  THIS CHAPTER, A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS CHAPTER COMMITS A
    23  SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION:
    24         (1)  FOR A FIRST OFFENSE, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF
    25     NOT LESS THAN [$50] $75 NOR MORE THAN [$200] $300 AND COSTS
    26     OF PROSECUTION AND, IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE OR
    27     COSTS, SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN TEN DAYS.
    28         (2)  FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE
    29     OF NOT LESS THAN [$100] $300 NOR MORE THAN [$300] $1,000 AND
    30     COSTS OF PROSECUTION AND, IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE
    20070S1096B1708                  - 7 -     

     1     FINE OR COSTS, SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
     2     (C)  UNAUTHORIZED DISPOSITION OF FORMS.--A PERSON WHO
     3  DISPOSES OF A SUMMONS OR COMPLAINT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS
     4  CHAPTER IN A MANNER OTHER THAN THAT PRESCRIBED BY LAW, RULE OR
     5  REGULATION COMMITS A MISDEMEANOR OF THE THIRD DEGREE.
     6     (D) REGISTRATION.--
     7         (1)  A PERSON WHO VIOLATES SECTION 7711.1 (RELATING TO
     8     REGISTRATION OF SNOWMOBILE OR ATV) OR 7711.2 (RELATING TO
     9     LIMITED REGISTRATION OF SNOWMOBILE OR ATV) BY FAILING TO
    10     OBTAIN THE REQUIRED REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OR LIMITED
    11     REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE COMMITS A SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL,
    12     UPON CONVICTION, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF $300 OR TO BE
    13     IMPRISONED FOR 90 DAYS, OR BOTH, AND COSTS OF PROSECUTION.
    14     PROCEEDINGS FOR A SUMMARY OFFENSE UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MUST
    15     BE COMMENCED WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER COMMISSION OF THE ALLEGED
    16     OFFENSE OR WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER DISCOVERY OF THE COMMISSION
    17     OF THE OFFENSE OR THE IDENTITY OF THE OFFENDER, WHICHEVER IS
    18     LATER.
    19         (2)  A PERSON WHO VIOLATES SECTION 7711.1 OR 7711.2 BY
    20     FAILING TO PROPERLY DISPLAY THE REQUIRED REGISTRATION DECAL
    21     OR PLATE COMMITS A SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON
    22     CONVICTION, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF $50 AND COSTS OF
    23     PROSECUTION.
    24         (3)  A PERSON WHO VIOLATES SECTION 7711.1 BY FAILING TO
    25     PROPERLY DISPLAY THE REQUIRED EXPIRATION STICKER OR BY
    26     FAILING TO CARRY THE REQUIRED REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
    27     COMMITS A SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, BE
    28     SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF $50 AND COSTS OF PROSECUTION.
    29     (E)  TRESPASS AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.--A PERSON WHO VIOLATES
    30  SECTION 7724 (RELATING TO OPERATION ON PRIVATE OR STATE
    20070S1096B1708                  - 8 -     

     1  PROPERTY) COMMITS A SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION:
     2         (1)  FOR A FIRST OFFENSE, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF
     3     NOT LESS THAN $250 NOR MORE THAN $500 AND COSTS OF
     4     PROSECUTION AND, IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE OR
     5     COSTS, SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN TEN DAYS.
     6         (2)  FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE
     7     OF NOT LESS THAN $500 NOR MORE THAN $1,000 AND COSTS OF
     8     PROSECUTION AND, IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE OR
     9     COSTS, SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
    10     (F)  OPERATION IN A SAFE MANNER.--A PERSON WHO VIOLATES
    11  SECTION 7726 (RELATING TO OPERATION IN SAFE MANNER) COMMITS A
    12  SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION:
    13         (1)  FOR A FIRST OFFENSE, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF
    14     NOT LESS THAN $250 NOR MORE THAN $500 AND COSTS OF
    15     PROSECUTION AND, IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE OR
    16     COSTS, SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN TEN DAYS.
    17         (2)  FOR A SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE, BE SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE
    18     OF NOT LESS THAN $500 NOR MORE THAN $1,000 AND COSTS OF
    19     PROSECUTION AND, IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE OR
    20     COSTS, SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
    21         (3)  FOR ANY VIOLATION OF SECTION 7726(A)(3), BE
    22     SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN $1,000 AND COST OF
    23     PROSECUTION AND IN DEFAULT OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FINE OR
    24     COSTS SHALL BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
    25     Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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