24.__Operating snowmobile on open water.__A person may not operate or attempt to operate a snowmobile on open water.__For purposes of this subsection, "open water" means any area of an inland water body that is free of ice and snow.__This subsection does not apply to private ponds.

Notwithstanding Title 17, section 2267-A, subsection 3, the owner or operator of a snowmobile that has been submerged or partially submerged as a result of a violation of this subsection shall remove the snowmobile within 24 hours of its submersion.__The owner or operator of a snowmobile submerged or partially submerged as a result of a violation of this subsection shall pay any damages resulting from the submersion or removal.__If the owner or operator of a snowmobile submerged or partially submerged as the result of a violation of this subsection fails to remove the snowmobile within 24 hours of its submersion, the commissioner may remove the snowmobile at the expense of the owner or operator or request in writing that the court direct the owner or operator to remove the snowmobile immediately.

A.__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.

B.__A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.

25.__Headgear required.__This subsection applies to snowmobile trails funded by the Snowmobile Trail Fund of the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Public Lands.

A.__A person operating a snowmobile on a snowmobile trail identified by the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands as having been funded by the Snowmobile Trail Fund pursuant to section 1893, subsection 3:

(1)__If the person is under 18 years of age, shall wear protective headgear that conforms to the standards established under Title 29-A, section 2083, subsection 3; and

(2)__May not carry a passenger under 18 years of age on the snowmobile unless the passenger is wearing protective headgear that conforms to the standards