New Ohio law contains provisions of interest to rural landowners

Mark Mechling

On July 1, Ohio law contains new provisions on criminal trespass, registration and operation of all-purpose vehicles (APVs).

Rural landowners will have interest in the new criminal trespass sections, which increase fines when a trespass occurs with an APV. The law's license plate program will require APVs to display a license plate and validation sticker like other vehicles. APV operators will pay higher registration fees, but on-farm APVs used as a farm implement will be exempt from registration.

According to Ohio law, an "all-purpose vehicle" is "any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for cross-country travel on land and water, or on more than one type of terrain, and steered by wheels or caterpillar treads, or any combination thereof, including vehicles that operate on a cushion of air, vehicles commonly known as all-terrain vehicles, all-season vehicles, mini-bikes, and trail bikes." The definition of "all-purpose vehicle" does not include golf carts or utility vehicles that are designed to transport materials or cargo.

Here is a summary of the some of the provisions in the new law that went into effect on July 1.

# Criminal trespass with APVs. The law contains stiffer penalties for criminal trespass that involves an APV. Criminal trespass is the entering or remaining on another's land without permission or privilege, and is a fourth-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250 and jail time of up to 30 days.

# Registration exceptions. Ohio law currently requires registration of APVs, snowmobiles and off-highway motorcycles, with a few exceptions. The new law changes the exceptions that apply to APVs in two ways. First, the new law removes the registration exception for APVs operated exclusively upon lands owned by the owner or on lands to which the owner has a contractual right. This exception from registration will apply only to snowmobiles and off-highway motorcycles. Second, the law creates a new registration exception for APVs: an owner does not have to register an APV that is used primarily on a farm as a farm implement. The law also increases the penalties for operating an unregistered APV, snowmobile or off-highway motorcycle to no less than $50 and no more than $100.

# License plate requirements. The new law requires operators of APVs to display a license plate and validation sticker rather than a registration number after July 1, 2010. An owner must display the license plate so that it is "distinctly visible" and in accordance with rules to be adopted by the Board of Motor Vehicles (BMV). After an owner obtains a license plate, the BMV will issue a new validation sticker to display on the license plate for each three-year registration period.

Earth to Art

The third annual Earth to Art Contest and Show will be held from noon to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, under the tent on the front lawn of John McIntire Library in downtown Zanesville. This project is sponsored by the Muskingum County Master Gardeners and hosted by the Muskingum County Library System. Floral displays will be awarded by raffle with the proceeds benefiting the Master Gardener School Grants program. All activities are free and open to the public.

If you enjoy floral arrangements or plant displays, stop by the Earth to Art activity which is held in conjunction with the Taste of Zanesville. The Master Gardeners will present some horticultural workshops on July 15 under the tent including making birdbaths from leaves (1 p.m.), pruning basics (2 p.m.), herbs (3 p.m.), household items as plant containers (3:45 p.m.), caring for garden tools (4:30 p.m.) and composting (5:30 p.m.). There will also be horticultural workshops for youth at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Workshops are free and open to anyone. Don't forget to get a rib-eye steak sandwich from the cattlemen while you are downtown next Wednesday evening.

Source: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907130312

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