Title: An act relating to registration of vintage snowmobiles.

Brief Description: Modifying snowmobile registration.

Sponsors: Representative Ericksen.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/05, 94-2.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/31/05, 4/4/05 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Mulliken, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: Under current law, all snowmobiles owned, transported, or operated within the state must be registered annually with the Department of Licensing (DOL). The annual snowmobile registration fee is $30.

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

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The amendment retains the current law provisions that all snowmobiles owned, transported, or operated within the state must be licensed. However, the amendment then provides an exception for vintage snowmobiles which only must be registered if they are operated within the state.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Vintage snowmobiles are being restored for show purposes and being used seldom, if at all; therefore the current $30 registration fee is excessive.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Ericksen, Chris Fadden, Washington State Snowmobile Association.