AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate voted 20-15 in an initial ballot Monday against legislation that would have treated operating under the influence convictions on boats, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles the same as those made while operating a motor vehicle.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Susan Austin, R-Gray, was amended and approved by the House last week.

Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, tried to convince colleagues to approve the measure by citing a report from the Maine Warden Service that shows many people with OUI convictions on recreational vehicles also have motor vehicle OUIs on their record.

“To me, the same people are continuing to drive anything they drive while intoxicated; this is getting worse and worse and more and more people are getting hurt,” he said on

Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, said the measure would be unfair to Maine residents.

“It’s going to effect Mainers that have a couple of nips up in Jackman on a very cold night,” he said. “Driving a vehicle on the highways of Maine is a privilege that the state of Maine gives you; driving a snowmobile in the woods is the right the property owner gives you.”

The proposal faces further votes, but unless the Senate reverses it’s position, it is essentially dead.

– Rebekah Metzler

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