Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13001-A is enacted to read:

§13001-A.__Liability insurance prerequisite to registration of

snowmobile or ATV

1.__Prerequisite to registration.__A person may not register a snowmobile or ATV in this State after June 30, 2005 unless the person satisfies the commissioner or an agent designated by the commissioner that the snowmobile or ATV__is covered by a liability insurance policy in accordance with this section.

2.__Standards for liability coverage.__Liability insurance coverage under this section must be obtained at a minimum of:

A.__For damage to property, $25,000;

B.__For injury to or death of any one person, $50,000;

C.__For one accident resulting in injury to or death of more than one person, $100,000; and

D.__For medical payments pursuant to subsection 3, $1,000.

3.__Medical payments.__A liability insurance policy issued for a snowmobile or ATV registered in this State must provide coverage in an amount equal to or greater than $1,000 per person for medical costs incurred as a result of injuries sustained in an accident involving the insured snowmobile or ATV. The coverage required by this section applies only to medical costs incurred during one year following the date the injuries are sustained.

4.__Maintenance of liability insurance required.__After June 30, 2005, the owner of a snowmobile or ATV required to be registered in this State shall maintain at all times the required amount of insurance under subsection 2 during the term of the registration of the snowmobile or ATV.__ A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

5.__Evidence of registration.__An operator of a snowmobile or ATV must carry evidence of insurance at all times that the snowmobile or ATV is in operation.

SUMMARY

This bill requires an owner or operator of a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle to carry liability insurance in an amount