ATV Registration Bill Proceeds in Legislature

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

A bill that would require the registration of every all-terrain vehicle in Connecticut is continuing to proceed through the General Assembly. A “vote to draft” was taken Monday, meaning the proposed bill will be drafted in full for transportation committee consideration.

“Proposed H.B. 5183” was introduced by state Rep. DebraLee Hovey, a Republican whose district includes Monroe and Newtown. It would require the registration of every all-terrain vehicle. Under state law that means any “self-propelled vehicle designed to travel over unimproved terrain that has been determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be unsuitable for operation on the public highways.”

Under that definition, anyone owning a quad or snowmobile – or even a dirt bike – would be required to register it, regardless of whether it was owned solely for use on one’s own property. Under current law, registration of a quad, snowmobile or dirt bike is not required if it’s ridden on land you own or lease.

Hovey’s bill would also “impose a fine on any person who fails to register any such vehicle.” The registering of ATVs would also presumably open them up to local property taxes.

Meanwhile, last Friday, a “vote to draft” was taken in the finance committee for for “Proposed S.B. 303,” which would amend state statutes and require the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to to issue a motorcycle endorsement to any active member of the armed forces who successfully complete a motorcycle safety course conducted or approved the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the armed forces.

This bill was introduced by Sen. Rob Kane, a Republican from Watertown.

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More to read:

– Tom Cruise has been spotted tearing up the asphalt in London on a Triumph Thruxton while filming the sci-fi movie “All You Need Is Kill.” “The Sun” has some pics here. In the U.K., helmets are mandatory but Cruise wasn’t wearing one.

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Finally, nothing’s been announced, but pictures are floating around of a Triumph Bonneville SE with a rather different paint scheme – red frame, red fenders and a red racing stripe on a matte black gas tank. It also has matte black mirrors, side covers and grab rail. Looks interesting…