BILL NUMBER: S8242
SPONSOR: RYAN C
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to state aid for snowmobile enforcement
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
The purpose of the bill is to increase snowmobile safety by increasing
the funding available to local law enforcement agencies for reimburse-
ment for snowmobile law enforcement patrols.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Law § 27.15 to increase funding available from the Snowmobile Trail and
Maintenance Fund from $200,000 to $300,000 for snowmobile enforcement
reimbursement.
Section 2 of the bill contains the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
As law enforcement costs have increased, an adjustment in the amount of
funding available is needed. Enforcing snowmobile laws and patrolling
snowmobile trails is critical to snowmobile safety. The current $200,000
maximum falls approximately $100,000 short of the full 75% reimbursement
rate allowed. Authorizing more funding to cover snowmobile law enforce-
ment is intended to incentivize local law enforcement agencies to
increase their patrols on funded trails, which in turn improves public
safety. In addition, more enforcement may also result in more fines and
penalties and increased registrations, which are deposited into the
Snowmobile Trail and Maintenance Fund.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new proposal.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funds are currently available in the Snowmobile Trail and Maintenance
Fund to cover this new cost if enacted.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
Statutes affected:
S8242: 27.15 parks recreation and historic preservation law, 27.15(2) parks recreation and historic preservation law