1.__Definitions.__For purposes of this section, "trail- grooming equipment" means a self-propelled vehicle that:

A.__Has a minimum weight of 1,200 pounds;

B. Exceeds 60 inches in width;

C. Is driven by a track or tracks in contact with the snow; and

D. Is performing winter trail maintenance by plowing, leveling or compacting snow by use of a front plow or rear attachments that include but are not limited to rollers, compactor bars or trail drags.

2.__Operating unregistered trail-grooming equipment.__Except as provided in this section, a person may not operate trail- grooming equipment on a snowmobile trail that is financed in whole or in part by the Snowmobile Trail Fund unless that trail- grooming equipment is registered in accordance with this section.

A. A registration is not required for trail-grooming equipment operated on land on which the owner lives or on land on which the owner is domiciled, if the trail-grooming equipment is not operated elsewhere within the jurisdiction of this State.

B.__A registration is not required for trail-grooming equipment operated by a commercial ski area for the purpose of packing snow or for rescue operation, unless the trail- grooming equipment is required to cross a public way during that operation.

C.__Trail-grooming equipment owned and operated by the Federal Government, the State or a political subdivision of the State is exempt from registration fees, but must be registered and is required to display the registration.

3.__Application and issuance.__The commissioner may register trail-grooming equipment upon application by the owner if the owner is an organization that has an approved contract for snowmobile trail grooming with the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, Off-Road Vehicle Division or a person that can provide proof to the department at the time of application that the person is a member of an organization eligible to register trail-grooming equipment under this