SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2004        FILED ON: 6/17/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1996

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Rodrigues

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An act relative to the use of off-highway and recreation vehicles.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Michael J. Rodrigues

 

Michael O. Moore

 

Bruce E. Tarr

 

Michael R. Knapik

 

Anne M. Gobi

5th Worcester

William Smitty Pignatelli

4th Berkshire

George N. Peterson, Jr.

9th Worcester

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

4th Hampden

Paul A. Schmid, III

8th Bristol

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

Shaunna O'Connell

3rd Bristol

Geoff Diehl

7th Plymouth

David T. Vieira

3rd Barnstable


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2004        FILED ON: 6/17/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1996

By Mr. Rodrigues, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.             ) of Michael J. Rodrigues, Michael Moore, Michael Knapik, William "Smitty" Pignatelli and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the use of off-highway and recreation vehicles.  Transportation.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

_______________

 

An act relative to the use of off-highway and recreation vehicles.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

               Section 1.  Section 21 of said chapter 90B, as amended by section 7 of said chapter 202, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-

No person under 18 years of age shall operate a recreation vehicle, unless they have successfully completed a recreation vehicle education safety and responsibility course approved by the director of law enforcement. The director shall have the authority to exempt participants of a sanctioned race, rally or event from the requirements of this section.

               Section 2.  Section 22 of said chapter 90B, as amended by section 8 of said chapter 202, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

No person shall operate a snow vehicle or a recreation vehicle unless the vehicle has been registered in accordance with this chapter, unless such vehicle is being operated on land owned by the owner of the vehicle, and a registration number assigned by the director is displayed on the vehicle. The registration number shall be painted or by means of a decal or sticker which is firmly attached to both sides of the cowling of the vehicle and located so that both are clearly visible and not obstructed. Off-highway motorcycles without suitable cowling may locate registration numbers on the forward suspension components so as they are clearly visible on both sides of the vehicle.  The registration number displayed shall be not less than 3 inches in height and not less than one-half inch in width and shall be in a color that is in marked and distinct contrast to the background to which the number is applied. The registration number shall be maintained in a legible condition at all times. A motor vehicle license or learner's permit shall not be required for the operation of a snow vehicle or a recreation vehicle. The director shall have the authority to exempt participants of a sanctioned race, rally or event from the requirements of this section.

             Section 3.  Section 24 of said chapter 90B, as amended by section 10 of said chapter 202, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

No snow vehicle or recreation vehicle shall be operated which emits noxious fumes or makes unusual or excessive noise. No snow vehicle or recreation vehicle manufactured on or after January 1, 1998, shall be operated on publicly-owned property that produces a sound pressure level of more than 96 decibels when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J1287 JUL98.  No snow vehicle or recreation vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1998, shall be operated on publicly-owned property that produces a sound pressure level of more than 101 decibels when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J1287 JUL98. This section shall not apply to snow vehicles or recreation vehicles on a privately owned track or closed course as permitted by local municipal authority.