HF3677

Purpose

This bill aims to manage Minnesota’s trail system by restricting motorized use on many trails that receive state grants, and by creating a formal process for designating trails for specific uses (motorized or nonmotorized). It also adds rules about when certain trails can be used for different activities and how electric-assisted bicycles are treated on designated trails.

Main provisions and goals

• Local governments that receive state grants for trails can designate how those trails are used, with approval from the commissioner and the landowner or land lessee. Designations can specify:
  • Use by snowmobiles or nonmotorized use from December 1 to April 1.
  • Use at various times of the year for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHVs), or other offroad vehicles (ORVs), and also designate trails for nonmotorized use like skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking.
  • Joint use designations that allow snowmobiles and OHVs, ATVs, and ORVs on the same trails.
• Local governments may not prohibit electric-assisted bicycles on trails designated for bicycle use or nonmotorized use unless safety or welfare concerns or property terms require it.

How designation works (process and authority)

• The designation process requires concurrence of the commissioner and the landowner or land lessee.
• Permits may be required under related subdivisions to implement these designations.
• The designation process can coincide with other grant-in-aid trail designation processes.

Nonmotorized use protections and limitations

• Trails designated for nonmotorized use are restricted from motorized vehicle operation, with exceptions for motorized wheelchairs or other motorized devices used by physically disabled individuals, and for electric-assisted bicycles as defined by law.
• No motorized vehicle is allowed on a trail designated for nonmotorized use unless explicitly allowed by the designation rules and safety considerations.

Grants-in-aid trails: new nonmotorized designation rule

• A trail that has ever received state grants-in-aid under specific grant programs (84.794, 84.803, or 84.927) is closed to nonmotorized use unless it has been designated for nonmotorized use following the same designation process used for motorized use. This creates a formal requirement to designate trails for nonmotorized use before allowing nonmotorized use on grant-funded trails.

Changes to existing law

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 85.018, adding new provisions that expand who can designate trail use, how designations are made, and the timing and scope of motorized vs. nonmotorized use.
• Clarifies that certain trails can be designated for joint use by different motorized and nonmotorized user groups.
• Establishes rules around nonmotorized use designations specifically tied to grants-in-aid trails (new Subdivision 4a).

Potential impacts and considerations

• Trail management decisions become more centralized and require cooperation among local governments, the commissioner, and landowners/lessees.
• Nonmotorized trail access could be restricted on some grant-funded trails unless a formal designation is made.
• Seasonal and multi-use designations may affect who can use trails and when, potentially changing recreation opportunities for hikers, skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and motorized trail users.
• Safety and welfare considerations are central to allowing or restricting electric-assisted bicycle use on certain trails.

Relevant Terms grants-in-aid, nonmotorized use, motorized use, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), offhighway vehicles (OHV), offroad vehicles (ORV), electric-assisted bicycle, bicycle use, designation process, concurrence of the commissioner and landowner or land lessee, permits, trails, joint use, nonmotorized use trails, motorized designation, season-specific use, landowner or land lessee concurrence, trail restrictions, safety concerns.