House Bill 1266

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM OPERATING AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE OR MOTORCYCLE UPON A PUBLIC STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY UNLESS SUCH PERSON HAS COMPLETED AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE OR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; TO PRESCRIBE A FEE FOR SUCH COURSE; TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) From and after July 1, 2005, no person may operate an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle upon any public street, road or highway in this state unless such person has completed an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle safety course conducted by and using course materials, curricula and instructors provided by the Department of Public Safety. A fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) shall be charged to those taking the course. The department shall issue a certificate to each person who satisfactorily completes the course.

(2) Any person who operates an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle in violation of subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00).

(3) For the purposes of this section, the term "all-terrain vehicle" means any motorized vehicle manufactured and designed exclusively for off-road use that is fifty (50) inches or less in width, has an unladen dry weight of six hundred (600) pounds or less, travels on three (3), four (4) or more low pressure tires, has a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and uses handlebars for steering control.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.