The bill amends Section 23-2-636 of the Montana Code Annotated to introduce a new $5 trail enhancement rental fee for snowmobiles and motorized equipment rented from licensed rental businesses. This fee is in addition to the existing winter trail pass fees, which are $20 for registered snowmobiles and $35 for unregistered ones. The rental vendor is responsible for collecting this fee and remitting it to the department monthly. The funds collected from this fee will be allocated for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and trails, with a portion designated for the operation of the trail grooming program.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the collected trail enhancement rental fees will be deposited into the state special revenue fund and outlines the distribution of these funds. Specifically, 2% will be used for the operation of the trail grooming program, while the remainder will be distributed to entities responsible for grooming and maintaining trails in areas where snowmobile or motorized vehicle rentals occur. The bill aims to enhance the maintenance of snowmobile trails and ensure that rental operations contribute to the upkeep of the infrastructure they utilize.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 23-2-636
SB0165_1(1): 23-2-636
SB0165_1(2): 23-2-636
SB0165_1(3): 23-2-636
SB0165_1(4): 23-2-636
SB0165_1(5): 23-2-636
SB0165_1(6): 23-2-636
SB0165_1(7): 23-2-636
SB0165_1: 23-2-636
SB0165_2(1): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(10): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(2): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(3): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(4): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(5): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(6): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(7): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(8): 23-2-636
SB0165_2(9): 23-2-636
SB0165_2: 23-2-636
SB0165_X(1): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(10): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(11): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(12): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(2): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(3): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(4): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(5): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(6): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(7): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(8): 23-2-636
SB0165_X(9): 23-2-636
SB0165_X: 23-2-636