SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5831
As of January 18, 2024
Title: An act relating to providing permanent registration for vintage snowmobiles.
Brief Description: Providing permanent registration for vintage snowmobiles.
Sponsors: Senators Hawkins, Holy, Lovick, Wellman and Wilson, J..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/18/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates a new permanent vintage snowmobile registration option.
  • Specifies the distribution of the fee associated with the permanent vintage snowmobile registration.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)
Background:

Snowmobiles operating in the state must be registered with the Department of Licensing (DOL) and must display a snowmobile decal.  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. The registration fees are deposited in the Snowmobile Account which is used for snowmobile-related programs and activities.

 

In addition to the annual registration fee, a vintage snowmobile registration transaction is also subject to the following annual fees:

  • an $8.00 for registration service fee which, depending on where the transaction occurs, is deposited into the Capital Vessel Replacement Account or is retained by a licensing subagent;
  • a $4.50 filing which is usually distributed to the county where the transaction occurs for deposit in their general fund;
  • a $0.50 license service fee which is deposited in the Department of Licensing Services Account; and
  • a $0.25 license plate technology fee which is deposited in the License Plate Technology Account.

 

The total of these combined fees means that generally a vintage snowmobile is subject to $25.25 in annual fees.

 

According to DOL, there were 204 vintage snowmobiles registered in fiscal year 2023.
Summary of Bill:

The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute):

A new permanent vintage snowmobile registration option is created. A vintage snowmobile in good working order used only for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, and parades, and for occasional pleasure use, may be issued a permanent vintage registration.  A snowmobile with a permanent vintage registration is exempt from annual registration renewal requirements.

 

The fee for the permanent vintage snowmobile registration is $70.00 which is distributed as follows:

  • $35.76 to the Snowmobile Account;
  • $8.91 which will usually be distributed to the county where the transaction occurs for deposit in their general fund;
  • $23.84 which, depending on where the transaction occurs, will either be deposited in the Capital Vessel Replacement Account or retained by a licensing subagent;
  • $0.99 to the Department of Licensing Services Account; and
  • $0.50 to the License Plate Technology Account.

 

The permanent vintage snowmobile registration transaction would also be subject to the $4.50 filing fee, the $0.50 license service fee, and the $0.25 license plate technology fee.  The one-time combined fees for the newly created permanent vintage snowmobile registration totals $75.25.

 

A vintage snowmobile with a permanent vintage registration must display a vintage snowmobile decal assigned by DOL.  A violation of these requirements is a traffic infraction with a maximum fine of $150.

 

The permanent vintage registration expires when the vintage snowmobile changes ownership, is permanently removed from the state, or is otherwise disposed of.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2025.