HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1739
As Passed House:
March 9, 2005
Title: An act relating to registration of vintage snowmobiles.
Brief Description: Modifying snowmobile registration.
Sponsors: By Representative Ericksen.
Brief History:
Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 2/25/05, 2/28/05 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/9/05, 94-2.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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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.