(1) 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.

(2) 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.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §13104, sub-§7, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §387 and affected by §422, is further amended to read:

7. Snowmobiles of nonresidents. Except as specifically provided in this subsection, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a snowmobile belonging to a nonresident may be possessed or operated by any person in this State as long as the snowmobile is properly registered in this State in the name of a nonresident owner of the snowmobile.

A nonresident is ineligible to obtain a resident registration for a snowmobile owned by that nonresident. Nothing in this subsection authorizes the operation of a snowmobile in a manner contrary to this chapter. Snowmobiles and grooming equipment registered to a federal or state entity, snowmobile clubs, municipalities or counties from bordering states or provinces and engaged in trail grooming may be operated without being registered under this subsection. Snowmobiles registered in either New Hampshire or Canada may be operated on any lake or pond that is both partly in the State and New Hampshire or Canada without being registered in the State. Snowmobiles registered in another state or in a Canadian province may be operated without a Maine registration at a special event or festival organized to occur in this State if such operation is approved by the commissioner.__An event or festival organizer must submit a request in writing to the commissioner 60 days prior to the event or festival and shall include a map of the trails where operation will be allowed.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13104, sub-§11, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.