SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5179
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Transportation, January 24, 2008
Title: An act relating to operating unregistered snowmobiles.
Brief Description: Regarding the operation of snowmobiles.
Sponsors: Senators Kastama and Rasmussen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/23/08, 1/24/08 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5179 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, King, Pflug, Sheldon and Spanel.
Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)
Background: Snowmobiles must be registered with the Department of Licensing (DOL) if
owned, transported, or operated in Washington State (unless exempted elsewhere in law, e.g.,
snowmobiles owned or operated by a government, or snowmobiles owned by residents of certain
states, or Canadian provinces operating temporarily in Washington State).
Registration fees are to be established by the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Registration fees are also set in statute at $30 per year for snowmobiles less than 30 years old and
$12 per year for vintage snowmobiles.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee was not considered.
SUMMARY OF BILL (Recommended Substitute): Snowmobiles must be registered with
DOL only if operated in Washington State. A person who owns or transports a snowmobile in
Washington, but does not operate it, is not required to register the snowmobile.
Contradictory language directing the registration fees to be established by the State Parks and
Recreation Commission is deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2008.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Recommended Substitute: PRO: Currently snowmobiles are the only vehicles requiring registration even when not operated; this bill will level things so the registration requirements for snowmobiles are similar to the registration requirements of other recreational vehicles.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kastama, prime sponsor; Stephen Alldridge, Mark Gjurasic, Washington State Snowmobile Association.