HB 1236

Abstract

Amends the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act. Provides that agents of the Department of Natural Resources and other duly authorized police officers may seize and impound a snowmobile involved in an accident or in a violation of the DUI or reckless driving provisions of the Act. Amends the DUI provision and related provisions of the Act to provide that the Department of Natural Resources (rather than the Department of Conservation) is responsible for enforcement of the DUI provision. Provides that the DUI provision also prohibits driving a snowmobile under the influence of intoxicating compounds. Provides that a person commits a Class 4 felony if he or she violates the DUI provisions while his or her privileges to operate a snowmobile are revoked because of a similar previous violation. Provides for an additional fine of $100 for any person who violates the provision and an additional $500 fine and 5 days of community service for any person who violates the provision while transporting a child under 16. Amends the Act and the Unified Code of Corrections to provide that a person whose DUI violation results in an incident necessitating an emergency response is liable for the cost of the response. Provides for a one-year suspension of the snowmobile operating privileges of repeat misdemeanor offenders and a 5-year suspension of the privileges of felony offenders. Provides that a person arrested and charged with a DUI violation may not operate a snowmobile for 24 (rather than 6) hours after the person's arrest. Makes changes in provisions related to testing and hearing procedures regarding persons suspected of violating the DUI provision.