FINAL BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6566

                          C 164 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Increasing the annual snowmobile registration fee.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser, Loveland, Hochstatter and Newhouse.

Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  All snowmobiles in the state must be registered annually with the Department of Licensing.  The annual fee is established by the State Parks and Recreation Commission, in consultation with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee.  The Snowmobile Advisory Committee includes representatives of snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, the Washington Association of Counties, and state agencies.

The snowmobile regulation fee is currently set at $15, the maximum allowed in statute.  The registration fees are deposited in a dedicated account to be expended by the State Parks and Recreation Commission for the development and operation of snowmobile facilities, and for snowmobile safety and education programs.

Summary:  When establishing the annual snowmobile registration fee, the State Parks and Recreation Commission must consult with any statewide snowmobile user groups, in addition to the Snowmobile Committee.

The $15 cap on the registration fee is eliminated.  The commission must increase the fee by $2.50 on September 30, 1996, and again on September 30, 1997, bringing the total registration fee to $20.  The fee may not be increased again after the 1997 fee increase.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 0

House     61 28 (House amended)

Senate    46 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  June 6, 1996