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House considers "snow bear" licensing, but bill fails to meet two-thirds threshold
Summary
Lawmakers debated HB 12-72, which would title and license enclosed tracked ice-fishing vehicles called "snow bears," set a $10 sticker fee and change excise-tax distribution; the measure cleared a voice vote on an amendment but the final bill did not receive the two-thirds required and was lost.
HB 12-72, sponsored by Representative DeGroot, proposed a $10 license sticker for enclosed tracked ice-fishing vehicles colloquially called "snow bears," reduce the sales tax-like charge to a 3% excise tax and redirect fee revenue to Parks and Recreation rather than Game, Fish and Parks. The sponsor said the measure creates accountability for a small but growing market for these enclosed tracked vehicles used on frozen lakes.
Floor amendments (12-72D) changed the vehicle designation language ("tracked" vs. "rubber-tracked") and adjusted the fund destination. Members asked technical questions about scope — whether the bill covers Snowdog Sport models, snow cats, side-by-sides with tracks, and out-of-state vehicles — and raised enforcement and coverage concerns. Supporters said the measure helps owners recover stolen equipment by providing unique identification and expressed that the market is small but locally important in some northeast counties.
The bill required a two-thirds vote because of the tax change; the recorded floor tally was ayes 43, nays 24, excused 3. Because it failed to reach the two-thirds threshold required for the tax provision, the measure was declared lost. The transcript includes floor-level explanations and examples of local usage, along with statements that only a few hundred such vehicles exist statewide.
