Hike in RV fees makes sense

Coram Rep. Dee Brown recently introduced a bill that would triple fees on some recreational vehicles.

The fee for a new motor home less than two years old would increase from $250 to $750. The charges are less for each additional year of age. In addition, owners must pay $500 for motor homes 35 to 40 feet long and $1,000 if they are more than 40 feet long.

She said she is targeting motor homes because there is a huge industry in this state that caters to a person who calls from out of state and sets up a limited liability corporation in order to license their motor home. They buy $1 million coaches and pay just a few hundred dollars in fees, she said.

The bill would also create about $6 million in revenue for the state, while being relatively pain free for Montana residents, because they can recoup the fee increases as an income tax credit.

The bill is the kind of taxation Montana should embrace -taxation that captures wealth from visitors. It's not as if the folks buying huge motor homes this bill speaks to can't afford an additional $1,000 in fees. These vehicles are more than just RVs-they're luxury homes on wheels.

We endorse Brown's way of thinking and hope the bill makes headway in the state Legislature.