Motorized trails receiving grants-in-aid closed to nonmotorized use unless designated for that use.

A bill for an act

relating to natural resources; closing motorized trails receiving grants-in-aid to

nonmotorized use unless designated for that use; amending Minnesota Statutes

2024, section 85.018, subdivisions 2, 4, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.018, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Authority of local government.

(a) A local government unit that receives state

grants-in-aid for any trail, with the concurrence of the commissioner, and the landowner or

land lessee, may:

(1) designate the trail for use by snowmobiles or for nonmotorized use from December

1 to April 1 of any year; and

(2) issue any permit required under subdivisions 3 to 5.

(b) A local government unit that receives state grants-in-aid under section
84.794,

subdivision 2
,
84.803, subdivision 2
, or
84.927, subdivision 2
, for any trail, with the

concurrence of the commissioner, and landowner or land lessee, may:

(1) designate the trail specifically for use at various times of the year by all-terrain or

off-road vehicles or off-highway motorcycles
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, for
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. The local government may also designate

the trail for
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nonmotorized use
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such as ski touring, snowshoeing, and hiking, and for multiple

use
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by following the same process used to designate the trail for motorized use. The

designation process may coincide with any new grant-in-aid trail designation process
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; and

(2) issue any permit required under subdivisions 3 to 5.

(c) A local unit of government that receives state grants-in-aid for any trail, with the

concurrence of the commissioner and landowner or land lessee, may designate certain trails

for joint use by snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and off-road

vehicles.

(d) A local unit of government may not prohibit or otherwise restrict operation of an

electric-assisted bicycle, as defined in section
169.011, subdivision 27
, on any trail under

this section designated for bicycle use or nonmotorized use that includes bicycles, unless

the local unit of government determines that operation of the electric-assisted bicycle is not

consistent with (1) the safety or general welfare of trail users; or (2) the terms of any property

conveyance.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.018, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Nonmotorized use trails.

No motorized vehicle shall be operated on a trail

designated for nonmotorized use
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only
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. This subdivision does not apply to (1) motorized

wheelchairs or other motorized devices operated by an individual who is physically disabled;

or (2) electric-assisted bicycles, as defined in section
169.011, subdivision 27
.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 85.018, is amended by adding a subdivision to

read:

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Subd. 4a.

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Nonmotorized use designation; grants-in-aid trails.

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A trail that has been

funded at any time with state grants-in-aid under section 84.794, subdivision 2; 84.803,

subdivision 2; or 84.927, subdivision 2, is closed to nonmotorized use unless the trail has

been designated for nonmotorized use following the process used to designate trails for

motorized use.

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