SECTION 1.  Section 20 of chapter 90B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following definition:—

“Trails maintenance assessment”, a resident or nonresident permit issued to snowmobiles by Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts or its successor organization granting use of snowmobile trails on public and private property for which permission has been granted.

Section 21 of said chapter 90B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out in line one the words “a snow vehicle or” and inserting at the end thereof the following: Section 21 (a) A person shall not operate a snow vehicle unless registered and numbered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or such other state or province given reciprocity by the director pursuant to section 30, and displays a trails maintenance assessment decal for snow vehicles at a location on said snow vehicle, as may be determined by the director in accordance with section 22, except when operated:

(1) on the property of the owner of the snow vehicle; or

(2) off a way, in a ski area while being used for the purpose of packing snow or in rescue operations; or  (3) for official use by a federal, state or municipal agency and only if the snow vehicle is identified with the name or seal of the agency in a manner approved by the director.

(b) Any properly registered snow vehicle when operated solely on privately owned property when the operator has in his possession either a document, signed by the owner or lessee of the property, or his agent, authorizing the operation of such vehicle on the property by the operator, shall not require a trail maintenance assessment decal.

(c) The director may authorize the temporary operation of snow vehicles not registered in this state on designated or temporary trails for special events, provided the snow vehicle is registered for off a way travel in another state or province; provided, however, said.