House bill seeks funds for trail grooming

A bill that would create an $18 three-year permit for outdoor recreationists who want to use motorized equipment or fat-tire bikes on groomed snowmobile trails was passed by the House by 88-11 on March 13.

House Bill 300, sponsored by Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman, seeks to collect more money for trail grooming from the people who use the trails in winter. The trails are currently being groomed by the state or organizations using state grants.

“This is not a tax we’re asking for — this is pay to play,” said Scott Herzog, president of the Montana Snowmobile Association.

Herzog noted that the number of snowmobiles registered in Montana has grown in the past decade from 22,000 to 60,000.

HB 300 calls for putting $1 from each permit to enforcement, $2 for the vendor who sold the permit, and the rest into a special revenue fund to pay the state for grooming or to provide grants to organizations.

Anyone caught using a groomed trail without a permit would be subject to a fine from $25 to $100. Trail users who rent snowmobiles would be exempt from purchasing a permit, but they must carry proof that they rented the snowmachines.

The bill was supported by outdoor recreation, hospitality and environmental organizations. It is now in the hands of the Senate Fish and Game Committee.