Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on September 11, 2008, to increase the annual snowmobile registration fee from $22 to $30, and increase the misdemeanor fine for operating an unregistered snowmobile from $50 to $200. The fee increase revenue would go into the snowmobile trail easement subaccount proposed by Senate Bill 1490

The vote was 35 in favor, 1 opposed and 2 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 653 at Senate Journal 87)

Click here to view bill details.

When does the increasing of taxes and fee's stop in Michigan? Maybe -- everyone who owns a snowmobile should just keep it parked for the winter until the likes of Sen. Jason Allen realize enough is enough! We are loosing jobs and along with the lost jobs many people are moving out of the State of Michigan. I don't see many businesses moving here from out-of-state, or beating down our doors to start up businesses in Michigan. Could it be because we are a high tax and fee State? This State has continued to raise fee's on recreational vehicles. Maybe it is time that my husband and I live out our retirement in another State.

These guys are addicted to OUR MONEY. They won't quit till we all leave.

Bill 1490 & 1489. Both are after the money 1490 has future registration increase and a section where the funds can be directed away from the trails in the future. I am sure this is what the people that elected them wanted or they wouldn’t try to pass this. NOT, whose idea is this? In a struggling economy with high gas prices and so on, good idea to hit the people that voted you in with higher fees. I hope your wearing a ski mask when you pass this bill. Now is not the time for this. There is more important things to worry about this is not one of them.

Slow day in the Senate? They got nothing better to do besides hike the fee's and taxes on recreational fun? For most of us riding your snowmobile a handful of times or a couple hundred miles a season is the norm. For what it'll cost in registration and trail sticker fee's I'll be forced to stop riding. I dont give two hoots about the trails! I ride mostly on the lake and private land. The state land I do ride on is mostly fire roads that never see a groomer.

No. What we need to do is grow some cahones and just say No! If all riders decided that they were going to ignore the stupid slave masters in lansingistan and ride with no snowmobile license, fee stickers etc. what are they going to do? When they start ticketing, throw them in the trash. They can't lock up all the riders and maybe this will catch on in ather areas....

Michigan has more than 6,000 miles of designated snowmobile trails on public and private property. Revenue from registration and trail permit fees paid by snowmobile owners and operators provides the principal source of funding for the purchase of property for trails, payments to private landowners for trail easements, law enforcement for snowmobile programs, and trail development and maintenance. Some people believe that the fees should be increased in order to generate revenue for the establishment of additional permanent trails and for trail maintenance. The development, maintenance, and grooming of snowmobile trails are performed by trail sponsors, which are local clubs and groups that receive grants from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The grants are funded from an account that receives most of the trail permit fee revenue and a portion of snowmobile registration fees. Based on the current program and level of participation, a funding shortfall of $0.5 million is projected for fiscal year 2009-10. It has been suggested that a fee increase would avert this shortfall and offset the rising costs for fuel, equipment, and other maintenance needs. It also has been suggested that increasing fees to acquire permanent easements and purchase property would stabilize Michigan's snowmobile trail system. According to the DNR, approximately 50% of the snowmobile trails in Michigan are located on privately owned property, such as farmland, residential property, and land owned by timber companies. Typically, the DNR and private landowners enter into year-to-year agreements for the use of their property. Therefore, if a property owner does not renew his or her agreement, that land is no longer part of the trail system.

I cannot comment on snowmobile use because I sold mine many years ago, HOWEVER, I am an avid ATV rider and they also want an increase from US..I say to HELL with these jerks,especially the DNR and the NRC.. We ORV/ATV user groups have DOCUMENTED proof of abuse, deceit, and mis-use of our ORV sticker fees and now they want MORE? I will not support any increase in any Outdoor recreational sport, including but not limitied to, snowmobiling, ORVing, hunting, fishing, ect until the DNR and NRC UNDERSTAND that they are supported by the hard working dollars of the above mentioned groups and address our issues of concern, and not that of which suits their OWN best interests.

They want it ALL!