Attended the Tourism Committee meeting at the Capitol today, where a public hearing for AB407 was held. Lots of people there, nearly all registered in favor of the bill, and quite a few spoke in favor, but there were also those who spoke against. Final outcome won’t be known until the committee exec’s on whether or not to recommend passage, or vote not to support passage, or maybe the bill might just stall there as it has twice within the last four years. If it moves forward, the next step would be for the bill to come up in front of the entire House of Rep’s. If it does, and it passes, then it would be up to what the Senate does with it as to whether or not it goes to the Senate floor following a public hearing in front of a Senate committee (not yet scheduled). It needs to pass through both houses before the governor decides to sign it or not. The hearing today included lots of testimony, but basically both those for the bill and those against it all want the same thing—more funding for the program, with a possible side effect of more volunteers to do the work that the clubs are doing. Strong testimony by those for the bill emphasized that more funding is very crucial and practically mandatory for some clubs and counties to continue at this time, and that many clubs and counties cannot wait. Those who spoke against the bill emphasized that it is the two-tier part that is wrong and needs to be removed, and that AWSC’s role with Cap/Step presents questions that need to be addressed, then the bill could go ahead. Under Cap/Step as presently presented, additional funding would occur through the annual $15 trail pass for everyone for each of their sleds (with non-club members paying $20 more than club members per sled). Registration would remain as is--$30/2 years. The sad part of all of this is that even if Cap/Step were to pass, it could be quite awhile before this could happen, and then with a 2015 starting date, it would probably be another two or three years before the added funding could reach the counties and clubs. So, everyone, hang onto your hats, its not law yet, and if you are wondering why your new funding is still so far away, think back to what many of us have been saying for years—a simple registration increase could be in effect now, equal for everyone, and your unfunded trails that you have been trying to get funded are still a “dream way off in the future” and that a meaningful increase to the program is still being held hostage by Cap/Step. And don’t forget, Cap/Step is a very complex registration/trail pass process that has many, many details to be worked out even if it were to pass tomorrow. And always an ongoing risk with Cap/Step is that no new volunteers are guaranteed, and how much money if any that it would generate is still very much unknown. Sorry I don’t have better news to report.
Wisconsin AB 407 / SB 343 - Snowmobile registration, trail use sticker and funding
- Thread starter snowshoe
- Start date
zozo2, thanks for going to the hearing and thanks for the good explanation. I had hopes of going myself, but had a son home from school,sick.
It is going to be interesting, as to what happens with the CAP/STEP in the next couple months. I do hope it passes, but I also realize that if it doesn't, it will never get the support for a 4th try.
It is going to be interesting, as to what happens with the CAP/STEP in the next couple months. I do hope it passes, but I also realize that if it doesn't, it will never get the support for a 4th try.
I think the important point is the majority are in favor. I hope that the legislators listen. The governor has said that if it goes through the assembly and the senate he will sign. It is not nearly as complicated as people make it sound, and with out of state passes now, it makes sense that everyone has a trail pass.
X2
Yep totally my prior position whatever happens happens not worrying about it & when something becomes law I will do what I have to do. Let Madison figure it out go from there.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
I don't mind paying a trail fee but that means another sticker to go on the sled! Remember the neon green trail passes they had a few years ago that covered about 1/3 of the windshield? What a joke. I liked being able to just register it and only have the reasonably sized WI sticker on the sled.
Remember the neon green trail passes they had a few years ago that covered about 1/3 of the windshield? What a joke. I liked being able to just register it and only have the reasonably sized WI sticker on the sled.Absolutely my feelings also--register, put one sticker on (actually 2, one on each side of the sled), good for two years, done deal. Unfortunately what is moving along now in the Capitol will require three stickers: 1) what we have now and have had for about the last 25 years (2 stickers) ever since the 3-inch numbers disappeared back in the mid 80's; plus: 2) a third sticker--a trail pass sticker to purchase and put on every year. Law enforcement will just love looking for all those stickers...NOT. Could mean that registration enforcement might slack off due to too many stickers to look for, different colors maybe, quite possibly conflicting with each other and with out-of-state stickers that many Wisconsin snowmobile owners buy and put on, etc. etc. Just saying.
eagle1
Well-known member
I don't mind paying a trail fee but that means another sticker to go on the sled!
x1000!!!!!
I read all responses both positive and negative, some good and some not so good. Here is my response. I am 75 years old and always belonged to a club for over 40 years. I groom 46 miles a week long before I retired and been grooming, brushing, signing and raising club funds to help pay for new equipment, etc. To say the least, I get pissed having our trails getting torn up because you have the right and pay registration. Some of us are struggling to continue this. Without new younger members joining clubs and expect the trails to be smooth and groomed, get a life. Without this being done the trails will close. Help or STAY HOME !!!! Thank you for letting me vent. Jerry
VintageRider
New member
WOW!?.... All this provocative debate on AB407 (CAP/STEP) and not one comment or opinion on the vintage aspect of this bill, good or bad???
I don't really mean to open a can of worms. Its just that I am brand new to this forum, however I am not brand new to the AWSC and the everything they has been lobbying for the past 10 years. I am also vintage sled enthusiast and have for been an advocate of a reduced registration fee for vintage sleds in WI for the last 10 years. I am assuming the idea of free trail passes for sleds 30 years and older is of little issue to this legislation?
I have read and valued everybodies thoughts on this thread whether for or against AB407 and SB343. The only thing I can suggest is that now is the time to let the State Assembly Representative and State Senator in your district know where you stand on this issue. Its fine to vent with each other (via this forum) however you will have a better chance of getting results venting to those whose job it is to turn bills into laws.
I don't really mean to open a can of worms. Its just that I am brand new to this forum, however I am not brand new to the AWSC and the everything they has been lobbying for the past 10 years. I am also vintage sled enthusiast and have for been an advocate of a reduced registration fee for vintage sleds in WI for the last 10 years. I am assuming the idea of free trail passes for sleds 30 years and older is of little issue to this legislation?
I have read and valued everybodies thoughts on this thread whether for or against AB407 and SB343. The only thing I can suggest is that now is the time to let the State Assembly Representative and State Senator in your district know where you stand on this issue. Its fine to vent with each other (via this forum) however you will have a better chance of getting results venting to those whose job it is to turn bills into laws.
yes
Welcome to JohnDee, Jeff. Good to have your vintage and AWSC knowledge on board. Be sure to check out the Vintage section. There is some Yamaha stuff for sale there.
snowfreak56
Member
JMO but I think cap/step is putting to many fingers in the pie,,to much government for one,,and will not be the best thing for snowmobileing.The money will not end up where it should be.
This is a valid concern, but there is a state law protecting money generated from snowmobile registration revenue and keeping it in the snowmobile fund. Please be more specific on where you think the money will go and maybe your concerns can be addressed. This was covered at the convention, and everyone would register the same as now, the trail pass could be bought online, through the mail, or at a vendor. The only differance would be the club member. They would get their trail pass through the AWSC, but the money would still get deposited into the general snowmobiling fund. It was straight forward and I did not get any concerns about new "fingers" taking any money.
snowfreak56
Member
The money will go into the general fund ok,,but it wont be a general snowmobile fund..That is what some are missing.I know I know I don't know what I am talking about..Just watch what happens if all this passes.
It is my understanding that the snowmobile money has their own segregated "general fund". Snowmobile money will not be used for fish restocking, CWD, boat patrol, etc. I like to be a little more optomistic about this. After listening to Cathy Stepp, I believe she is trying very hard to change the way people perceive the DNR.
Below is an excert from the AWSC website explaining how the monies in the snowmobile fund are distributed. Please go to the AWSC website and read it for yourself. Click on Trail Funding/Maintenance and you can view it via Word or PDF. Nothing in the Cap/Step bill changes the way the money is distributed. It can be your opinion that the money will be used for other things, but that doesnt make you right, and by repeating your opinion without the facts you will just be spreading rumors.
<o> </o>
The majority of snowmobile funds go to our trail system. By Wisconsin State Law, we have a priority system outlining how money is spent on our trail program.
Here is the link. Read the rest. Cap/Step does not change this, just the amount of money in the fund.
http://www.awsc.org/Dynamic_Menu/Trail_Funding_Maintenance.aspx
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?<o></o>
></o>> </o>The majority of snowmobile funds go to our trail system. By Wisconsin State Law, we have a priority system outlining how money is spent on our trail program.
Here is the link. Read the rest. Cap/Step does not change this, just the amount of money in the fund.
http://www.awsc.org/Dynamic_Menu/Trail_Funding_Maintenance.aspx