Senate Bill sb0738c1
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Florida Senate - 2001 CS for SB 738
By the Committee on Transportation and Senator King
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1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to off-highway vehicles;
3 creating ch. 261, F.S.; creating the Florida
4 Off-Highway-Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act;
5 providing legislative intent; providing
6 definitions; creating the Off-Highway-Vehicle
7 Recreation Advisory Committee; providing duties
8 and responsibilities; providing for duties and
9 responsibilities of the Department of
10 Agriculture and Consumer Services; providing
11 for rulemaking authority; providing for the
12 publication and distribution of a guidebook;
13 providing for the repair, maintenance, and
14 rehabilitation of areas, trails, and lands;
15 providing for contracts and agreements;
16 providing criteria for recreation areas and
17 trails; providing for the use of designated
18 off-highway-vehicle funds within the Incidental
19 Trust Fund of the Division of Forestry,
20 Department of Agriculture and Consumer
21 Services; amending s. 316.2074, F.S.; revising
22 the definition of the term "all-terrain
23 vehicle"; prohibiting the use of all-terrain
24 vehicles on public roadways in the state;
25 creating the Florida Off-Highway-Vehicle
26 Titling and Registration Act; providing
27 legislative intent; providing definitions;
28 providing for administration by the Department
29 of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; providing
30 for rules, forms, and notices; requiring
31 certificates of title; providing for
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1 application for and issuance of certificates of
2 title; providing for duplicate certificates of
3 title; requiring the furnishing of a
4 manufacturer's statement of origin; requiring
5 registration; providing for application for and
6 issuance of certificate of registration,
7 registration number, and decal; providing for
8 the registration period and for reregistration
9 by mail; providing for change of interest and
10 address; providing for duplicate registration
11 certificate and decal; providing for fees;
12 providing for disposition of fees; providing
13 for refusal to issue and authority to cancel a
14 certificate of title or registration; providing
15 for crimes relating to certificates of title
16 and registration decals; providing penalties;
17 providing for noncriminal infractions;
18 providing penalties; amending s. 375.315, F.S.,
19 relating to the registration of off-road
20 vehicles; providing an appropriation; providing
21 an effective date.
22
23 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
24
25 Section 1. Chapter 261, Florida Statutes, consisting
26 of sections 261.01, 261.02, 261.03, 261.04, 261.05, 261.06,
27 261.07, 261.08, 261.09, 261.10, 261.11, and 261.12, Florida
28 Statutes, is created to read:
29 261.01 Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the
30 "Florida Off-Highway-Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act."
31 261.02 Legislative intent.--
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1 (1) The Legislature finds that off-highway vehicles
2 are becoming ever-increasingly popular in this state and that
3 the use of these vehicles should be controlled and managed to
4 minimize negative effects on the environment, wildlife
5 habitats, native wildlife, and native flora.
6 (2) The Legislature declares that effectively managed
7 areas and adequate facilities for the use of off-highway
8 vehicles are compatible with this state's overall recreation
9 plan and the underlying goal of multiple use.
10 (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that:
11 (a) Existing off-highway-vehicle recreational areas,
12 facilities, and opportunities be improved and appropriately
13 expanded and be managed in a manner consistent with this
14 chapter, in particular to maintain natural resources and
15 sustained long-term use of off-highway-vehicle trails and
16 areas.
17 (b) New off-highway-vehicle recreational areas,
18 facilities, and opportunities be provided and managed pursuant
19 to this chapter in a manner that will sustain both long-term
20 use and the environment.
21 (c) Nothing contained within this act shall be
22 construed to require the construction or maintenance of
23 off-highway-vehicle recreation areas, facilities, or trails on
24 public lands where such construction or maintenance would be
25 inconsistent with the property's management objectives or land
26 management plan.
27 261.03 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the
28 term:
29 (1) "Advisory committee" means the Off-Highway-Vehicle
30 Recreation Advisory Committee created by s. 261.04.
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1 (2) "ATV" means any motorized off-highway or
2 all-terrain vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry
3 weight of 900 pounds or less, designed to travel on three or
4 more low-pressure tires, having a seat designed to be
5 straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control,
6 and intended for use by a single operator with no passenger.
7 (3) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture
8 and Consumer Services.
9 (4) "Division" means the Division of Forestry of the
10 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
11 (5) "OHM" or "off-highway motorcycle" means any motor
12 vehicle used off the roads or highways of this state which has
13 a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and is designed to
14 travel with not more than two wheels in contact with the
15 ground, but excludes a tractor or a moped.
16 (6) "Off-highway vehicle" means any ATV or OHM used
17 off the roads or highways of this state for recreational
18 purposes, and which is not registered and licensed for highway
19 use under chapter 320.
20 (7) "Program" means the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation
21 Program.
22 (8) "Public lands" means lands within the State of
23 Florida which are available for public use and which are
24 owned, operated or managed by a federal, state, county or
25 municipal governmental entity.
26 (9) "System" means the off-highway-vehicle recreation
27 areas and trails on public lands within the state.
28 (10) "Trust fund" means the Incidental Trust Fund of
29 the Division of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and
30 Consumer Services.
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1 261.04 Creation of the Off-Highway-Vehicle Recreation
2 Advisory Committee; members; appointment.--
3 (1) The Off-Highway-Vehicle Recreation Advisory
4 Committee is created within the Division of Forestry and
5 consists of nine members, all of whom are appointed by the
6 Commissioner of Agriculture. The appointees shall include one
7 representative of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
8 Services, one representative of the Department of Highway
9 Safety and Motor Vehicles, one representative of the
10 Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways
11 and Trails, one representative of the Fish and Wildlife
12 Conservation Commission, one citizen with scientific expertise
13 in disciplines relating to ecology, wildlife biology, or other
14 environmental sciences, one representative of a licensed
15 off-highway-vehicle dealer, and three representatives of
16 off-highway-vehicle recreation groups. In making these
17 appointments, the commissioner shall consider the places of
18 residence of the members to ensure statewide representation.
19 (2) The term of office of each member of the advisory
20 committee is 2 years. The members first appointed shall
21 classify themselves by lot so that the terms of four members
22 expire June 30, 2003, and the terms of five members expire
23 June 30, 2004.
24 (3) In case of a vacancy on the committee, the
25 commissioner shall appoint a successor member for the
26 unexpired portion of the term.
27 (4) The members shall elect a chair among themselves
28 who shall serve for 1 year or until a successor is elected.
29 (5) The members shall not receive a salary; however,
30 they shall be entitled to be reimbursed for the actual and
31
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1 necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
2 duties.
3 261.05 Duties and responsibilities of the
4 Off-Highway-Vehicle Recreation Advisory Committee.--
5 (1) The advisory committee shall establish policies to
6 guide the department regarding the off-highway-vehicle
7 recreational program and the system of off-highway-vehicle
8 recreation areas and trails.
9 (2) The advisory committee shall make recommendations
10 to the department regarding off-highway-vehicle safety and
11 training and education programs in the operation of such
12 vehicles.
13 (3) The advisory committee must be informed regarding
14 all governmental activities affecting the program.
15 (4) The advisory committee must be informed regarding
16 off-highway-vehicle impacts and effects on the environment,
17 wildlife habitats, and native flora and fauna, and shall make
18 recommendations to avoid or minimize adverse environmental
19 impacts and promote sustained long-term use.
20 (5) The advisory committee must be fully informed
21 regarding the inventory of off-highway-vehicle access and
22 opportunities.
23 (6) The advisory committee shall meet at various times
24 and locations throughout the state to receive public comments
25 on the implementation of the program and shall take these
26 public comments into consideration when making its
27 recommendations.
28 (7) The advisory committee shall review and make
29 recommendations annually regarding the department's proposed
30 budget of expenditures from the designated off-highway-vehicle
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1 funds in the trust fund, which may include providing funds to
2 match grant funds available from other sources.
3 (8) The advisory committee shall make recommendations
4 regarding all capital outlay expenditures from the trust fund
5 proposed for inclusion in the budget.
6 (9) The advisory committee shall review grant
7 applications submitted by any governmental agency or entity,
8 or non-governmental entity, requesting moneys from the trust
9 fund to create, operate, manage, or improve
10 off-highway-vehicle recreation areas or trails within the
11 state, protect and restore affected natural areas in the
12 system, or provide off-highway-vehicle driver education. The
13 advisory committee shall recommend to the department approval
14 or denial of such grant applications based upon criteria
15 established by the advisory committee.
16 261.06 Functions, duties, and responsibilities of the
17 department.--The following are functions, duties, and
18 responsibilities of the department through the division:
19 (1) Coordination of the planning, development,
20 conservation, and rehabilitation of state lands in and for the
21 system.
22 (2) Coordination of the management, maintenance,
23 administration, and operation of state lands in the system,
24 and the provision of law enforcement and appropriate public
25 safety activities.
26 (3) Management of the trust fund and approval of the
27 advisory committee's budget recommendations.
28 (4) Implementation of the program, including the
29 ultimate approval of grant applications submitted by
30 governmental agencies or entities or non-governmental
31 entities.
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1 (5) Coordination to help ensure compliance with
2 environmental laws and regulations of the program and lands in
3 the system.
4 (6) The implementation of the policies established by
5 the advisory committee.
6 (7) Provision of staff assistance to the advisory
7 committee.
8 (8) Preparation of plans for lands in, or proposed to
9 be included in, the system.
10 (9) Conducting surveys and the preparation of studies
11 as are necessary or desirable for implementing the program.
12 (10) Recruitment and utilization of volunteers to
13 further the program.
14 (11) Rulemaking authority to implement the provisions
15 of ss. 261.01-261.10.
16 261.07 Publication and distribution of guidebook;
17 contents.--In consultation with the advisory committee, the
18 department shall publish a guidebook, including the text of
19 this chapter, other laws and regulations relating to the
20 program, and maps of areas and trails for the system. The
21 guidebook may include other public areas, trails, and
22 facilities for the use of off-highway vehicles. The guidebook
23 must include information regarding the responsibilities of
24 users of the system and must set forth pertinent laws, rules,
25 and regulations including particular provisions and other
26 information intended to prevent trespass and damage to public
27 or private property. The guidebook must be prepared at minimal
28 cost to facilitate the broadest possible distribution and must
29 be available for distribution no later than October 1, 2002.
30 261.08 Repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation of
31 areas, trails, and lands.--
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1 (1) The protection of public safety, the appropriate
2 use of lands in the system, and the conservation of the
3 environment, wildlife habitats, native wildlife, and native
4 flora in the system are of the highest priority in the
5 management of the system. Accordingly, the public land
6 managing agency shall avoid or minimize adverse impacts to the
7 environment, promptly repair and continuously maintain areas
8 and trails, anticipate and prevent accelerated erosion, and
9 rehabilitate lands to the extent damaged by
10 off-highway-vehicle use in accordance with the management
11 plans of the public land managing agency.
12 (2) The public land managing agency shall monitor the
13 condition of soils and wildlife habitat in each area of the
14 system to determine whether there is compliance with
15 applicable environmental laws and regulations and take
16 appropriate action as necessary.
17 261.09 Contracts and agreements.--The public land
18 managing agency may contract with private persons or entities
19 and enter into cooperative agreements with other public
20 agencies for the care and maintenance of lands in the system,
21 including contracts for law enforcement services with public
22 agencies having law enforcement powers.
23 261.10 Criteria for recreation areas and
24 trails.--Publicly owned or operated off-highway-vehicle
25 recreation areas and trails shall be designated and maintained
26 for recreational travel by off-highway vehicles. These areas
27 and trails need not be generally suitable or maintained for
28 normal travel by conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles, and
29 should not be designated as recreational foot paths. State
30 off-highway-vehicle recreation areas and trails must be
31 selected and managed in accordance with this chapter.
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1 261.11 Penalties.--No off-highway vehicle may be
2 operated upon the public roads, streets, or highways of this
3 state. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic
4 infraction, punishable as provided in chapter 318.
5 261.12 Designated off-highway-vehicle funds within the
6 Incidental Trust Fund of the Division of Forestry, Department
7 of Agriculture and Consumer Services.--
8 (1) The designated off-highway-vehicle funds of the
9 trust fund shall consist of deposits from the following
10 sources:
11 (a) Fees paid to the Department of Highway Safety and
12 Motor Vehicles for the titling and registration of off-highway
13 vehicles;
14 (b) Revenues and income from any other sources
15 required by law or as appropriated by the Legislature to be
16 deposited into the trust fund as designated
17 off-highway-vehicle funds;
18 (c) Donations from private sources that are designated
19 as off-highway-vehicle funds;
20 (d) Interest earned on designated off-highway-vehicle
21 funds on deposit in the trust fund.
22 (2) Designated off-highway-vehicle funds in the trust
23 fund shall be available for recommended allocation by the
24 Off-Highway-Vehicle Recreation Advisory Committee and the
25 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and upon
26 annual appropriation by the Legislature, exclusively for the
27 following:
28 (a) Implementation of the Off-Highway-Vehicle
29 Recreation Program by the Department of Agriculture and
30 Consumer Services, which includes personnel and other related
31 expenses; administrative and operating expenses; expenses
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1 related to safety, training, rider-education programs,
2 management, maintenance, and rehabilitation of lands in the
3 Off-Highway-Vehicle Recreation Program's system of lands and
4 trails; and, if funds are available, acquisition of lands to
5 be included in the system and the management, maintenance, and
6 rehabilitation of such lands.
7 (b) Approved grants to governmental agencies or
8 entities or nongovernmental entities that wish to provide or
9 improve off-highway-vehicle recreation areas or trails for
10 public use on public lands, provide environmental protection
11 and restoration to affected natural areas in the system, or
12 provide education in the operation of off-highway vehicles.
13 (c) Matching funds to be used to match grant funds
14 available from other sources.
15 (3) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s.
16 216.351, any balance of designated off-highway-vehicle funds
17 in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain
18 therein and shall be available for the purposes set out in
19 this section and as otherwise provided by law.
20 Section 2. Section 316.2074, Florida Statutes, is
21 amended to read:
22 316.2074 All-terrain vehicles.--
23 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature, through the
24 adoption of this section to provide safety protection for
25 minors while operating an all-terrain vehicle in this state.
26 (2) As used in this section, the term "all-terrain
27 vehicle" means any motorized off-highway vehicle 50 inches
28 (1270 mm) or less in width, having a dry weight of 900 600
29 pounds (273 kg) or less, designed to travel traveling on three
30 or more low-pressure tires, designed for operator use only
31 with no passengers, having a seat or saddle designed to be
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1 straddled by the operator, and having handlebars for steering
2 control, and intended for use by a single operator with no
3 passenger.
4 (3) No person under 16 years of age shall operate,
5 ride, or be otherwise propelled on an all-terrain vehicle
6 unless the person wears a safety helmet meeting United States
7 Department of Transportation standards and eye protection.
8 (4) If a crash results in the death of any person or
9 in the injury of any person which results in treatment of the
10 person by a physician, the operator of each all-terrain
11 vehicle involved in the crash shall give notice of the crash
12 pursuant to s. 316.066.
13 (5) Except as provided in this section, an all-terrain
14 vehicle may not be operated upon the public roads, streets, or
15 highways of this state.
16 (6)(5) An all-terrain vehicle having four wheels may
17 be used by police officers on public beaches designated as
18 public roadways for the purpose of enforcing the traffic laws
19 of the state. All-terrain vehicles may also be used by the
20 police to travel on public roadways within 5 miles of beach
21 access only when getting to and from the beach.
22 (7)(6) A violation of this section is a noncriminal
23 traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as
24 provided in chapter 318.
25 Section 3. Short title.--Sections 3 through 20 of this
26 act may be cited as the "Florida Off-Highway-Vehicle Titling
27 and Registration Act."
28 Section 4. Legislative intent.--It is the
29 Legislature's intent that all off-highway vehicles purchased
30 after the effective date of this act and all off-highway
31 vehicles operated on public lands be titled and issued a
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1 certificate of title to allow for easy determination of
2 ownership. It is also the Legislature's intent that all
3 off-highway vehicles that are operated on public lands be
4 registered and issued a registration decal containing a
5 registration identification number to provide funding for the
6 creation, management, and maintenance of off-highway-vehicle
7 recreation areas and trails, and their associated natural
8 resources, within the state. Finally, it is the Legislature's
9 intent that all off-highway vehicles owned by non-Florida
10 residents shall be exempt from the titling and registration
11 requirements of this act, and that all off-highway vehicles
12 owned by governmental entities shall be exempt from the
13 titling and registration fees imposed by this act with the
14 exception of the applicable fees as set forth in this act
15 which are necessary to cover the administrative costs of the
16 department and the service fees of the county tax collectors.
17 However, all applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing
18 off-highway-vehicle use and operation established by the
19 applicable public land managing agencies shall apply to all
20 off-highway-vehicle users, including users that are
21 non-Florida residents and governmental entities.
22 Section 5. Definitions.--As used in sections 3 through
23 20, the term:
24 (1) "ATV" means any motorized off-highway or
25 all-terrain vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry
26 weight of 900 pounds or less, designed to travel on three or
27 more low-pressure tires, having a seat designed to be
28 straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control,
29 and intended for use by a single operator and with no
30 passenger.
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1 (2) "Dealer" means any person authorized by the
2 Department of Revenue to buy, sell, resell, or otherwise
3 distribute off-highway vehicles. Such person must have a valid
4 sales tax certificate of registration issued by the Department
5 of Revenue and a valid commercial or occupational license
6 required by any county, municipality, or political subdivision
7 of the state in which the person operates.
8 (3) "Department" means the Department of Highway
9 Safety and Motor Vehicles.
10 (4) "Florida resident" means a person who has had a
11 principal place of domicile in this state for a period of more
12 than 6 consecutive months, who has registered to vote in this
13 state, who has made a statement of domicile pursuant to
14 section 222.17, Florida Statutes, or who has filed for
15 homestead tax exemption on property in this state.
16 (5) "OHM" or "off-highway motorcycle" means any motor
17 vehicle used off the roads or highways of this state which has
18 a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and is designed to
19 travel with not more than two wheels in contact with the
20 ground, but excludes a tractor or a moped.
21 (6) "Off-highway vehicle" means any ATV or OHM used
22 off the roads or highways of this state for recreational
23 purposes which is not registered and licensed for highway use
24 pursuant to chapter 320.
25 (7) "Owner" means a person, other than a lienholder,
26 having the property in or title to an off-highway vehicle,
27 including a person entitled to the use or possession of an
28 off-highway vehicle subject to an interest held by another
29 person, reserved or created by agreement and securing payment
30 of performance of an obligation, but the term excludes a
31 lessee under a lease not intended as security.
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1 (8) "Public lands" means lands within the state of
2 Florida which are available for public use and which are
3 owned, operated, or managed by a federal, state, county or
4 municipal governmental entity.
5 Section 6. Administration of off-highway-vehicle
6 titling and registration laws; records.--
7 (1) The administration of off-highway-vehicle titling
8 and registration laws in sections 3 through 20 is under the
9 Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which shall
10 provide for the issuing, handling, and recording of all
11 off-highway-vehicle titling and registration applications and
12 certificates, including the receipt and accounting of
13 off-highway-vehicle titling and registration fees.
14 (2) The department shall keep records and perform
15 other clerical duties pertaining to off-highway-vehicle
16 titling and registration as required.
17 Section 7. Rules, forms, and notices.--
18 (1) The department may adopt rules under section
19 120.536(1), Florida Statutes, and section 120.54, Florida
20 Statutes, which pertain to off-highway-vehicle titling and
21 registration, to implement the provisions of sections 3
22 through 20 conferring duties upon it.
23 (2) The department shall prescribe and provide
24 suitable forms for applications and other notices and forms
25 necessary to administer the provisions of sections 3 through
26 20.
27 Section 8. Certificate of title required.--
28 (1) Any off-highway vehicle that is purchased by a
29 resident of this state after the effective date of this act or
30 which is owned by a resident and is operated on the public
31
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1 lands of this state must be titled pursuant to sections 3
2 through 20.
3 (2) A person may not sell, assign, or transfer an
4 off-highway vehicle titled by the state without delivering to
5 the purchaser or transferee a valid certificate of title with
6 an assignment on it showing the transfer of title to the
7 purchaser or transferee. A person may not purchase or
8 otherwise acquire an off-highway vehicle required to be titled
9 without obtaining a certificate of title for the vehicle in
10 his or her name. The purchaser or transferee shall, within 30
11 days after a change in off-highway-vehicle ownership, file an
12 application for a title transfer with the county tax
13 collector. An additional $10 fee shall be charged against a
14 purchaser or transferee who files a title transfer application
15 after the 30-day period. The county tax collector may retain
16 $5 of the additional amount.
17 (3) A certificate of title is prima facie evidence of
18 the ownership of the off-highway vehicle and is good for the
19 life of the off-highway vehicle so long as the certificate is
20 owned or held by the legal holder. If a titled off-highway
21 vehicle is destroyed or abandoned, the owner, with the consent
22 of any recorded lienholders, shall, within 30 days after the
23 destruction or abandonment, surrender to the department all
24 title documents for cancellation.
25 (4) The department shall provide labeled places on the
26 title where the seller's price shall be indicated when an
27 off-highway vehicle is sold and where a selling dealer shall
28 record his or her valid sales tax certificate of registration
29 number.
30 (5)(a) There shall be a service charge of $4.25 for
31 each application that is handled in connection with the
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1 issuance, duplication, or transfer of any certificate of
2 title. There shall be a service charge of $1.25 for each
3 application that is handled in connection with the recordation
4 or notation of a lien on an off-highway vehicle which is not
5 in connection with the purchase of such vehicle.
6 (b) The service charges specified in paragraph (a)
7 shall be collected by the department on any application
8 handled directly from its office. Otherwise, these service
9 charges shall be collected and retained by the tax collector
10 who handles the application.
11 (c) In addition to the fees provided in paragraph (a),
12 any tax collector may impose an additional service charge of
13 not more than 50 cents on any transaction specified in
14 paragraph (a) or on any transaction specified in section 17,
15 subsection (2), when such transaction occurs at any tax
16 collector's branch office.
17 Section 9. Application for and issuance of certificate
18 of title.--
19 (1) The owner of an off-highway vehicle that is
20 required to be titled must apply to the county tax collector
21 for a certificate of title. The application must include the
22 true name of the owner, the residence or business address of
23 the owner, and a complete description of the vehicle. The
24 application must be signed by the owner and must be
25 accompanied by a fee of $29.
26 (2) The owner must establish by submitting with the
27 application an executed bill of sale, a manufacturer's
28 statement of origin, an affidavit of ownership for off-highway
29 vehicles purchased before the effective date of this act, or
30 any other document acceptable to the department.
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1 (3) To apply for a title upon transfer of ownership of
2 an off-highway vehicle, the new owner must surrender to the
3 department the last title document issued for that vehicle.
4 The document must be properly executed. Proper execution
5 includes the previous owner's signature and certification that
6 the off-highway vehicle to be transferred is debt-free or is
7 subject to a lien. If a lien exists, the previous owner must
8 furnish the new owner, on forms supplied by the department,
9 the names and addresses of all lienholders and the dates of
10 all liens, with a statement from each lienholder that the
11 lienholder has knowledge of and consents to the transfer of
12 title to the new owner.
13 (4) An application for an initial title or a title
14 transfer must include payment of the applicable state sales
15 tax or proof of payment of such tax, except for off-highway
16 vehicles purchased or transferred before the effective date of
17 this act.
18 (5) If the owner submits a complete application and
19 complies with all of the other requirements of this section,
20 the department shall issue a certificate of title that states
21 that the title is for an off-highway vehicle that is not
22 suitable for highway use. After October 1, 2002, the
23 department shall also issue a copy of the guidebook prepared
24 by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
25 pursuant to s. 261.07, F.S.
26 Section 10. Duplicate certificate of title.--
27 (1) The department may issue a duplicate certificate
28 of title upon application by the person entitled to hold such
29 a certificate if the department is satisfied that the original
30 certificate has been lost, destroyed, or mutilated. A fee of
31 $15 shall be charged for issuing a duplicate certificate.
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1 (2) In addition to the fee imposed by subsection (1),
2 a fee of $7 shall be charged for expedited service in issuing
3 a duplicate certificate of title. Application for such
4 expedited service may be made by mail or in person. The
5 department shall issue each certificate of title applied for
6 under this subsection within 5 working days after receipt of a
7 proper application or shall refund the additional $7 fee upon
8 written request by the applicant.
9 (3) If, following the issuance of an original,
10 duplicate, or corrected certificate of title by the
11 department, the certificate is lost in transit and is not
12 delivered to the addressee, the owner of the off-highway
13 vehicle or the holder of a lien thereon may, within 180 days
14 after the date of issuance of the title, apply to the
15 department for reissuance of the certificate of title. An
16 additional fee may not be charged for reissuance under this
17 subsection.
18 (4) The department shall implement a system to verify
19 that the application is signed by a person authorized to
20 receive a duplicate title certificate under this section if
21 the address shown on the application is different from the
22 address shown for the applicant on the records of the
23 department.
24 Section 11. Manufacturer's statement of origin to be
25 furnished.--
26 (1) Any person selling a new off-highway vehicle in
27 this state must furnish a manufacturer's statement of origin
28 to the purchaser. The statement, which must be in English or
29 accompanied by an English translation if the vehicle was
30 purchased outside the United States, must be signed and dated
31 by an authorized representative of the manufacturer, indicate
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1 the complete name and address of the purchaser, include a
2 complete description of the vehicle, and contain as many
3 assignments as necessary to show title in the name of the
4 purchaser.
5 (2) It is unlawful for an off-highway-vehicle
6 manufacturer, manufacturer's representative, or dealer to
7 issue a manufacturer's certificate of origin describing an
8 off-highway vehicle with the knowledge that the description is
9 false or that the off-highway vehicle described does not
10 exist. It is unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to
11 obtain a certificate of origin with the knowledge that the
12 description is false or that the off-highway vehicle does not
13 exist. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a
14 felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in section
15 775.082, section 775.083, or section 775.084, Florida
16 Statutes.
17 Section 12. Registration required.--
18 (1) Off-highway vehicles operated on public lands of
19 this state, with the exception of off-highway vehicles owned
20 by non-Florida residents, must be registered within 30 days
21 after purchase.
22 (2) Nothing in this act prohibits the owner, operator,
23 or manager of public lands containing improved and maintained
24 off-highway-vehicle recreation areas or trails from charging
25 an entrance or admission fee for the use of such lands to help
26 offset the cost of operation and maintenance of such
27 off-highway-vehicle facilities.
28 Section 13. Application for and issuance of
29 certificate of registration, registration number, and decal.--
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1 (1) The owner of each off-highway vehicle that
2 requires registration in this state must file a registration
3 application with the county tax collector.
4 (a) The application must provide the owner's name and
5 address, residency status, a Florida identification card
6 number such as a driver's license number, and a complete
7 description of the vehicle to be registered, and must be
8 accompanied by a fee of $25.
9 (b) Proof of ownership must be established by
10 presenting a title for the off-highway vehicle.
11 (2) The department shall issue a certificate of
12 registration and a registration number upon submittal of a
13 complete application and compliance with the other
14 requirements of this section. The certificate of registration
15 does not constitute a license.
16 (3) The department shall furnish with each
17 registration certificate issued a decal signifying the years
18 during which the certificate is valid and containing the
19 assigned registration number, and such decal must be affixed
20 to the rear of the off-highway vehicle.
21 Section 14. Registration period and reregistration by
22 mail.--
23 (1) An off-highway-vehicle certificate of registration
24 is valid through the owner's next birthday. If the owner's
25 birthday falls within the first 3 months after issuance of the
26 certificate of registration, the certificate is valid through
27 the owner's following birthday. However, a certificate of
28 registration may not be valid for more than 15 months.
29 (2) The department shall provide for annual
30 reregistration of off-highway vehicles either in person at the
31 county tax collector's office or by mail.
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1 Section 15. Change of interest and address.--
2 (1) The owner must furnish to the department notice of
3 the transfer of any whole or partial interest in an
4 off-highway vehicle registered or titled in this state or of
5 the destruction or abandonment of such vehicle within 30 days
6 thereof. The certificate expires upon such transfer,
7 destruction, or abandonment, unless the transfer of a partial
8 interest does not affect the owner's right to operate the
9 vehicle.
10 (2) Any holder of a certificate of registration must
11 notify the department or the county tax collector within 30
12 days after a change of address to one other than the address
13 on the certificate and must furnish the department or the
14 county tax collector with the new address. The department may
15 provide by rule for the surrender of the certificate bearing
16 the former address and for its replacement with a new
17 certificate bearing the new address or for the alteration of a
18 certificate to include the new address of the holder.
19 Section 16. Duplicate registration certificate or
20 decal, service fees.--
21 (1) A duplicate off-highway-vehicle registration
22 certificate or decal to replace a lost or misplaced
23 certificate or decal may be obtained from the county tax
24 collector for $10. A duplicate certificate or decal may not be
25 issued except upon written request of the registered owner or
26 a person authorized by the owner.
27 (2) Included in the registration fee for off-highway
28 vehicles is a $2.50 service fee to be retained by the county
29 tax collector for each registration certificate or decal
30 issued, replaced, or renewed. The remainder of the fees
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1 collected by the county tax collector shall be remitted to the
2 department.
3 (3) A mail service charge may be collected for each
4 registration or reregistration mailed by the department or any
5 tax collector. All registrations and reregistrations must be
6 mailed by first-class mail. The amount of mail service charge
7 must be the actual postage required rounded to the nearest 5
8 cents, plus a 25-cent handling charge. The mail service charge
9 is in addition to the registration fee in section 14.
10 Section 17. Disposition of fees.--The department shall
11 deposit all funds received under sections 3 through 20, less
12 administrative costs of $2 per title transaction and $2 per
13 registration transaction, into the Incidental Trust Fund of
14 the Division of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and
15 Consumer Services.
16 Section 18. Refusal to issue and authority to cancel a
17 certificate of title or registration.--
18 (1) If the department finds that an applicant for an
19 off-highway-vehicle certificate of title or registration has
20 given a false statement or false or incomplete information in
21 applying for the certificate or has otherwise failed to comply
22 with the applicable provisions pertaining to the application
23 for a certificate, it may refuse to issue the certificate.
24 (2) If the department finds that an owner or dealer
25 named in an off-highway-vehicle certificate of title or
26 registration has given a false statement or false or
27 incomplete information in applying for the certificate or has
28 otherwise failed to comply with the applicable provisions
29 pertaining to the application for a certificate, it may cancel
30 the certificate.
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1 (3) The department may cancel any pending application
2 or any certificate if it finds that any title or registration
3 fee or sales tax pertaining to such registration has not been
4 paid, unless the fee or tax is paid within a reasonable time
5 after the department has given notice.
6 Section 19. Crimes relating to certificates of title
7 and registration decals; penalties.--
8 (1) It is unlawful for any person to procure or
9 attempt to procure a certificate of title or duplicate
10 certificate of title to an off-highway vehicle, or to pass or
11 attempt to pass a certificate of title or duplicate
12 certificate of title to an off-highway vehicle or any
13 assignment thereof, if such person knows or has reason to
14 believe that the vehicle has been stolen. Any person who
15 violates this subsection is guilty of a felony of the third
16 degree, punishable as provided in section 775.082, section
17 775.083, or section 775.084, Florida Statutes.
18 (2) It is unlawful for any person, knowingly and with
19 intent to defraud, to have in his or her possession, sell,
20 offer to sell, counterfeit, or supply a blank, forged,
21 fictitious, counterfeit, stolen, or fraudulently or unlawfully
22 obtained certificate of title, duplicate certificate of title,
23 registration, bill of sale, or other indicia of ownership of
24 an off-highway vehicle or to conspire to do any of the
25 foregoing. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty
26 of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
27 section 775.082, section 775.083, or section 775.084, Florida
28 Statutes.
29 (3) It is unlawful:
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1 (a) To alter or forge any certificate of title to an
2 off-highway vehicle or any assignment thereof or any
3 cancellation of any lien on an off-highway vehicle.
4 (b) To retain or use such certificate, assignment, or
5 cancellation knowing that it has been altered or forged.
6 (c) To use a false or fictitious name, give a false or
7 fictitious address, or make any false statement in any
8 application or affidavit required by sections 4 through 21 or
9 in a bill of sale or sworn statement of ownership or otherwise
10 commit a fraud in any application.
11 (d) To knowingly obtain goods, services, credit, or
12 money by means of an invalid, duplicate, fictitious, forged,
13 counterfeit, stolen, or unlawfully obtained certificate of
14 title, registration, bill of sale, or other indicia of
15 ownership of an off-highway vehicle.
16 (e) To knowingly obtain goods, services, credit, or
17 money by means of a certificate of title to an off-highway
18 vehicle which certificate is required by law to be surrendered
19 to the department. Any person who violates this subsection is
20 guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided
21 in section 775.082, section 775.083, or section 775.084,
22 Florida Statutes. A violation of this subsection with respect
23 to any off-highway vehicle makes such off-highway-vehicle
24 contraband which may be seized by a law enforcement agency and
25 forfeited under sections 932.701-932.704, Florida Statutes.
26 (4) It is unlawful for any person:
27 (a) To make, alter, forge, counterfeit, or reproduce
28 an off-highway-vehicle registration decal unless authorized by
29 the department.
30 (b) To knowingly have in his or her possession a
31 forged, counterfeit, or imitation off-highway-vehicle
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1 registration decal, or reproduction of a decal, unless such
2 possession has been authorized by the department.
3 (c) To barter, trade, sell, supply, agree to supply,
4 aid in supplying, or give away an off-highway-vehicle
5 registration decal or to conspire to barter, trade, sell,
6 supply, agree to supply, aid in supplying, or give away an
7 off-highway-vehicle registration decal, unless authorized by
8 the department. Any person who violates this subsection is
9 guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided
10 in section 775.082, section 775.083, or section 775.084,
11 Florida Statutes.
12 Section 20. Noncriminal infractions, penalties.--Any
13 person who fails to comply with any provision of sections 4
14 through 21 for which a greater penalty is not otherwise
15 provided is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree,
16 punishable as provided in section 775.082 or section 775.083,
17 Florida Statutes.
18 Section 21. Subsection (1) of section 375.315, Florida
19 Statutes, is amended to read:
20 375.315 Registration of off-road vehicles.--
21 (1) Any off-road vehicle operated upon public lands,
22 and not registered or licensed under s. 320.02 or s. 320.06,
23 and not otherwise required to be registered pursuant to the
24 Florida Off-Highway-Vehicle Titling and Registration Act must
25 be registered as provided in this section.
26 Section 22. There is appropriated to the Department of
27 Agriculture and Consumer Services from the designated
28 off-highway-vehicle funds in the Incidental Trust Fund of the
29 Division of Forestry, Department of Agriculture and Consumer
30 Services, for fiscal year 2001-2002, one position and $156,660
31 to carry out the provisions of this act.
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1 Section 23. This act shall take effect October 1,
2 2001.
3
4 STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
5 SB 738
6
7 This CS creates the "Florida Off-Highway-Vehicle Safety and
Recreation Act", which provides for the expanded, managed use
8 of off-highway vehicles on public lands. The CS would provide
a system of state-owned off-highway-vehicle recreation areas
9 and trails within Florida, funded through moneys generated
from the titling and registering of certain off-highway
10 vehicles. The CS provides all off-highway vehicles in the
state, purchased after the effective date of this CS, or which
11 are used on public lands, must be titled, and all off-highway
vehicles in the state, which are used on public lands must be
12 registered. This CS provides all off-highway-vehicles
purchased by a resident of Florida after the effective date of
13 this act or which are operated on public lands must be titled
($29 fee) and registered ($25 fee.)
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