HB 5615 Summary

• Amends Michigan's off-road vehicle (ORV) regulations to clarify that ORV operation participants assume inherent risks including terrain variations, weather conditions, and collisions with natural objects, but not risks from careless or negligent operation by others.

• Modifies ORV operation prohibitions by adding restrictions on adjacent private residential land within 300 feet of dwellings and clarifying references to authorized roadways and trails under section 81131(7).

• Establishes tiered penalty structure: misdemeanor penalties ($50-$1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days imprisonment) for most violations; civil infractions ($50-$500 fine) for helmet, property trespass, cemetery, railroad, and slide area violations; and higher penalties ($250-$1,000) for erosive damage and water violations.

• Permits courts to order restoration of damaged land and natural formations and authorizes impoundment of ORVs used in misdemeanor violations or causing area damage.

• Takes effect October 1, 2012, contingent upon concurrent enactment of HB 5612, HB 5613, and HB 5614.