Maine ATV Enforcement Bill Stalls

Written by Associated Press

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

After a lengthy debate and series of votes, Maine lawmakers failed to decide what to do with a proposal to tighten enforcement of all-terrain vehicles on private land.

The bill before the House of Representatives on Tuesday would allow game wardens to stop ATVs on private property without a reasonable suspicion a law's been broken. Present law says officers must have probable cause to stop ATV users on private land.

Supporters of the bill said the tougher enforcement policy would strengthen relations between private property owners and ATVers who want to use their land. Opponents say the added level of enforcement weakens privacy rights.

The bill awaits further action.

Source: http://wbztv.com/wireapnewsme/Maine.House.fails.2.1548060.html

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State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“It’s frustrating having a hunt ruined by people riding ATVs where off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Many ATVs look the same so there’s no way to identify violators when reporting the incident to law enforcement. There should be a requirement that off-road vehicles used on public lands have license plates or large decals. Any ATV user who follows the law and land management directives on where they can and can not use these machines should have no objection to this type of identification.”

- Holly Endersby, hunter from western Idaho