MontanaSB 16569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Revise business laws relating to snowmobile rental and trail maintenance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Vendors keep $2 per pass

For each winter trail pass sold, a vendor that is not the department keeps $2. Fifty cents of each pass is a search-and-rescue surcharge. $1.50 pays for enforcement of snowmobile laws. The rest goes to the statewide trail grooming program.

New $5 fee on rentals

When you rent a snowmobile or other motorized unit from a Montana-licensed rental business, you pay a $5 trail enhancement fee per unit each time. The rental company sends the fees to the state each month by the first week of the next month. The department keeps 2% to run and repair the grooming program and sends the rest to the local groups that groom and maintain the trails where the rental business operates.

Winter trail pass prices and rules

To ride in groomed snowmobile areas funded by the department, you need a winter trail pass. The pass is $20 if your machine is registered in Montana or you are a Montana resident. That $20 pass is valid up to 2 years, not past June 30 of the second year. The pass is $35 if your machine is exempt from Montana registration or you are a nonresident. That $35 pass is valid up to 1 year, not past June 30 of the next year. You do not need a pass if you rent a snowmobile registered under 61-3-321(11)(c) and carry proof of rental, if you are in a sanctioned dog sled race, or if your equipment is exempt under 61-3-321(14). ATVs can get a pass only if under 50 inches wide and using tracks on groomed state trails. Motorized equipment means what the area operator allows, and snowmobile includes dealer demo units. If you do not attach the pass or you lie to get one, the fine is $40 to $100.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Barry Usher
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Greg Oblander
Republican • House
Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 287 • No: 12

House vote • 4/1/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 43 • No: 7

Senate vote • 2/4/2025