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Proponents urge fee increase for snowmobile registrations after processing costs cut grooming fund
Summary
Supporters told the Senate Transportation Committee SB 15-65 would raise two-year snowmobile registration from $10 to $30 to restore grooming-fund revenues after DMV processing costs increased from $6.27 to $14; committee closed the hearing and set the bill over to be taken up Monday, with fiscal paperwork pending.
At a Feb. 9 hearing the Senate Committee on Transportation heard testimony on SB 15-65, a bill that would raise the two-year snowmobile registration fee from $10 to $30.
Bruce Star (on the record) and Daryl Fuller of the Oregon State Snowmobile Association explained that the existing $10 two-year fee has been in statute for decades, and that DMV processing costs recently rose such that ODOT began deducting a larger processing fee from the dedicated grooming fund. Witnesses said that previously ODOT retained $6.27 of each $10 registration and the grooming fund received $3.73; with the new processing charge the grooming fund is being drawn down to cover administration.
Proponents told the committee the Association asked for the increase to $30 to restore the grooming fund and maintain trail grooming and other safety-related services. Testimony compared Oregon’s proposed $15-per-year average cost (based on $30 per two years) to neighboring states: Washington at about $50 per year, Idaho at about $45.50 per year, and California at about $27 per year — testimony used these comparisons to argue Oregon’s proposed fee would remain relatively low.
Daryl Fuller said the association alerted members after DMV notified them of the processing-fee change in May 2025 and that the Association supports moving the bill forward; he offered to answer committee questions. The legislative staff summary and witnesses noted no fiscal statement had yet been posted and the committee asked proponents to submit paperwork; the committee did not take a vote and set SB 15-65 over until Monday for potential action once fiscal paperwork is complete.
The hearing record indicates written testimony may be submitted through OLIS by the stated deadline; the committee signaled it expects to consider the bill again at its next meeting but took no final action on Feb. 9.
