HF3677 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Motorized trails receiving grants-in-aid closed to nonmotorized use unless designated for that use.
Related bill: SF4318
AI Generated Summary
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.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Past committee meetings
- Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy on: March 12, 2026 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 25, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authority for local governments to designate trails for snowmobiles or nonmotorized use during winter months (Dec 1–Apr 1), with permits under subdivisions 3 to 5.",
"Authority to designate trails for use at various times for ATVs or OHVs, and for joint use by multiple users (snowmobiles, OHVs, ATVs, and offroad vehicles).",
"Permits may be issued under subdivisions 3 to 5.",
"Allows designation of trails for nonmotorized uses such as skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking and joint-use designations.",
"Provides that electric-assisted bicycles may be allowed on designated bicycle/nonmotorized trails unless safety or property terms prevent it."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends Minn. Stat. 85.018, subd. 2 to authorize designation of trails receiving state grants for specific uses by local government units with the concurrence of the commissioner and the landowner/lessee. It adds authority to designate trails for snowmobiles or nonmotorized use (Dec 1 to Apr 1) and permits designation for all-terrain or offhighway vehicles and for joint use, with the designation process possibly aligning with grant designation processes, and permits under subds. 3–5; it also restricts prohibiting electric-assisted bicycles on certain designated trails unless safety or property terms require otherwise.",
"modified": [
"Amends Subd. 2 to expand local-government trail designation authority and clarify processes."
]
},
"citation": "85.018",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies that only trails designated for nonmotorized use are subject to the prohibition on motorized vehicles.",
"Explicitly lists motorized wheelchairs and electric-assisted bicycles as exceptions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends Minn. Stat. 85.018, subd. 4 to provide that trails designated for nonmotorized use prohibit motorized vehicles, with exceptions for motorized wheelchairs and electric-assisted bicycles.",
"modified": [
"Adds clarifying language about exceptions to the nonmotorized-use prohibition."
]
},
"citation": "85.018",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New subdivision 4a creating nonmotorized use designation grants-in-aid trails.",
"Provides that trails funded under 84.794, 84.803, or 84.927 are closed to nonmotorized use unless designated for nonmotorized use."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds Minn. Stat. 85.018, Subd. 4a establishing nonmotorized use designation grants-in-aid trails. Trails funded at any time under sections 84.794, 84.803, or 84.927 are closed to nonmotorized use unless designated for nonmotorized use following the same designation process used to designate trails for motorized use.",
"modified": [
"Imposes a designation-process requirement for nonmotorized-use designations on grant-in-aid trails."
]
},
"citation": "85.018",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 4a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References the statutory definition of electric-assisted bicycle (169.011, Subd. 27)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cites the definition of electric-assisted bicycle as defined in Minn. Stat. 169.011, Subd. 27.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.011",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 27"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-referenced to 84.794 Subd. 2 as a source of grant-in-aid trails."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the grant-in-aid trail designation; the bill cross-references Subd. 2 of 84.794 as a source of grant-in-aid trails.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference adds no direct changes to 84.794 Subd. 2; it is cited for grant-aid trail designation purposes."
]
},
"citation": "84.794",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-referenced to 84.803 Subd. 2 as a source of grant-in-aid trails."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the grant-in-aid trail designation; the bill cross-references Subd. 2 of 84.803 as a source of grant-in-aid trails.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference adds no direct changes to 84.803 Subd. 2; it is cited for grant-aid trail designation purposes."
]
},
"citation": "84.803",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-referenced to 84.927 Subd. 2 as a source of grant-in-aid trails."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the grant-in-aid trail designation; the bill cross-references Subd. 2 of 84.927 as a source of grant-in-aid trails.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference adds no direct changes to 84.927 Subd. 2; it is cited for grant-aid trail designation purposes."
]
},
"citation": "84.927",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee