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Committee advances $5 snowmobile rental fee to fund trail grooming
Summary
Senate Bill 165 would allow snowmobile rental businesses to add a $5 charge to rentals; fiscal note estimates roughly $380,000 in annual state special revenue, with most funds directed to trail grooming grants and a small share for agency administration.
The Montana House Appropriations Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 165 on Feb. 12, 2025, a measure that would permit businesses that rent snowmobiles to add a $5 fee to each rental to pay for grooming and maintenance of winter recreation trails.
Sponsor representative Greg Goblander, presenting on behalf of Senator Usher, said the fee is intended to reimburse the volunteer and paid work that keeps trails safe as usage and wear increase. The bill’s fiscal note estimates state special revenue of $380,008.35 annually from the fee, the note says.
The fiscal note included the department’s estimate that 100,000 Montanans snowmobile each year and that a share of that activity is rental-based. Under the fee formula, about 2 percent — roughly $7,616 — would be retained for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks administrative costs and groomer repair. The remaining estimated $373,218 would be distributed to local grooming programs and rental operators for trail grooming, according to testimony.
Fred Bailey, president of the Montana Snowmobile Association, testified as a proponent and described rough, unsafe trails as use increases. “...very unsafe and very uncomfortable, and we’re hoping to just enhance those areas with extra grooming funds,” Bailey said. Committee members were told most grooming is performed by volunteer snowmobile-club members, with some paid grooming.
Committee members asked few substantive policy questions during the hearing. No opponents appeared in the room or online, the clerk reported. The bill’s sponsor closed the hearing by asking the committee to move the bill forward.
In executive action later the same day, the committee voted to pass Senate Bill 165 by voice vote; committee leadership characterized the vote as unanimous among those present. The committee report will send the bill forward to the next stage of the legislative process.
The bill does not change existing safety or trail standards; it only authorizes a rental fee and a channel for the revenues. Specific grant rules, distribution formulas and eligibility for the grooming funds would be set in implementing guidance and the agency fiscal rules if the measure becomes law.
