Title: An act relating to registration of vintage snowmobiles.

Brief Description: Modifying snowmobile registration.

Sponsors: Representative Ericksen.

Brief History:

Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 2/25/05, 2/28/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Hunt, Orcutt and Williams.

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

All snowmobiles owned, transported, or operated in the state must be registered annually by the Department of Licensing (DOL). The annual registration fee is established by the State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission), in consultation with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee. The Snowmobile Advisory Committee advises the Commission on the planned development of snowmobile facilities and programs and is made up of snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and representatives from the Washington State Association of Counties and state agencies.

The snowmobile registration fee was adjusted in the 2001 Operating budget by increasing the amount from $20 to $30 by September 30, 2002. Registration fees are deposited in the Snowmobile Account. The Legislature appropriates funds in the account to the Commission for snowmobile-related programs and activities such as trail grooming. The DOL estimates there are currently 162 snowmobiles registered that were manufactured at least 30 years ago.

Summary of Bill:

A vintage snowmobile is defined as a snowmobile that was manufactured at least 30 years ago. The annual registration fee for vintage snowmobiles is $12. All snowmobiles operated within the state must be registered by the DOL. The DOL is required to design a distinct registration decal for vintage snowmobiles in cooperation with the State Parks and Recreation Commission. The $12 annual vintage registration fee is effective for registrations due on October 1, 2005, and thereafter.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: It's increasingly popular for people to restore old snowmobiles, which are not driven frequently. Removing the words "own or transport" from the bill will make it legal to own or transport a snowmobile that's not driven without a license, consistent with the laws for all other vehicles.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Howard Briggs, Washington State Snowmobile Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.