Bill Description: House Bill 163 creates a new state snowmobile avalanche fund and committee. It also increases fees for snowmobile users and for those who rent out snowmobiles.
Rating: -3
Analyst Note: House Bill 163 combines the problems found in House bills 60 and 61, although it increases fees by even more than House Bill 61 would. House Bill 163 grows government and significantly increases fees levied on Idahoans. The fee increases proposed in this bill would be used, among other things, to increase funding for the "state snowmobile search and rescue fund"; to provide a new funding source for the Idaho Department of Lands; and to bankroll the newly created "snowmobile avalanche fund." Instead of reducing the size, scope, and cost of government, House Bill 163 proposes to increase all three.
Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?
House Bill 163 creates Section 67-7107A, Idaho Code, which establishes a new state snowmobile avalanche fund and a five-member state snowmobile avalanche fund committee to direct distributions from the fund.
New government funds and committees represent an increase in the size and scope of government.
(-1)
Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?
House Bill 163 amends Section 67-7103, Idaho Code, to increase the application fee for a "certificate of number" for "each snowmobile requiring numbering by the state of Idaho" from $31.00 to $49.50. This is a 60% fee increase.
House Bill 163 amends Section 67-7104, Idaho Code, to increase the application fee for a "nonresident snowmobile user certificate" from $31.00 to $59.50. This is a 92% fee increase.
(-1)
House Bill 163 further amends Section 67-7103, Idaho Code, to increase the application fee for a "certificate of number" for "snowmobiles used for rental purposes" from $61.00 to $89.00. This is a 46% fee increase.
(-1)
