UPDATE FROM WSSA LOBBYIST TERRY KOHL: (Apr '13) -
HB 2002 Modifying snowmobile license fees. Sponsors: Representatives Condotta, Reykdal.
2002 passed on April 16th. Yeas, 85; Nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 2. Voting Nay: Representatives Crouse, Hargrove, Holy, Orcutt, Overstreet, Parker, Pike, Scott, Shea, Taylor, and Vick.
I know most of the Representatives who voted Nay support snowmobiles; however, they preferred not signing onto the bill b/c their constituents are so strongly opposed to any fee or tax increases. So I’d let them go on this and we can educate them more if need be during the interim.
NEXT: A hearing on the bill in the Senate W&Ms committee, passage to Rules and then on the floor; and if now amendments it will go to Gov for signing.
Great work everyone! Terry
HB 2002 MODIFYING SNOWMOBILE LICENSE FEES - SPONSORS: REPRESENTATIVES CONDOTTA, REYKDAL (Mar '13) -
SAMPLE EMAIL (give your address and say you’re a constituent)
RE: HB 2002 - Modifying snowmobile license fees. Sponsors: Representatives Condotta, Reykdal
Representative ________________________
Please sign onto this bill.
HB 2002 was just introduced: this bill is supported by the WA State Snowmobile Association as we need the funds for snowmobile grooming.
HB 2002 Increase snowmobile registration fees from $30 to $40 July 1, 2013, and from $40 to $50 July 1, 2014 (fee was last raised from $20 to $25 in 2001, and from $25 to $30, in 2002).
Thanks for your help,
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
MARCH SNOFLYER NOW POSTED! (Mar '13) - The March Snoflyer is now posted. Click here! (Click here for 'page flipper' view.)
WSSA AWARD WINNERS! (Feb '13) - WSSA congratulates our two recent annual award winners:
Way to go Jim Kingman, President of the Drift-A-Way Snowmobile Club and Past President of WSSA, for being selected WSSA's Snowmobiler of the Year!
Devin Dekker, for the second year in a row, was selected Snowmobile Club President of the Year! Devin is President of the Yakima Ski-Benders.
A special award presented by WSSA President Ronna Younie, Perennial Couple of the Year, went to Florence & Wayne Mohler. Good job Mohlers!
LEGISLATION - WSSA NEEDS YOUR HELP! (Feb '13) - The legislators below need to hear from you regarding removal of the fuel tax lid, increasing registration fees by $20 ($10 a year for the next two), and allowing the Parks Commission to implement a fee for motorized sno-park permits. Constituents are especially needed, but most of these legislators want to hear from any snowmobilers.
Meetings are set up and you are encouraged to attend in person or by speaker phone. Please contact Terry Kohl at tkohl@comcast.net or (206) 265-1724 ahead of time so he can let the lawmaker know who will be there. Terry can also provide talking points if you are unsure of what to say. (If you are not interested in participating in the meetings, we’ve included e-mail addresses and encourage you to contact these legislators about this legislation.)
Meetings are as follows:
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34), Tuesday, February 26, 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm, JLOB 305, Olympia, WA, l360) 786-7952; joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov; Topic: Fees
Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-34), Wednesday, February 27, 9:30 am – 9:36 am, JAC 218, Olympia, WA, (360) 786-7667; sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov; Topic: Fees
Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-44), Wednesday, February 27, 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm, JAC 305, Olympia, WA (360) 786-7686; steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov; Topic: Fuel Tax Lid Removal (Meeting will include Coalition of Outdoor Groups and possibly reps from DNR and State Parks) Rep. Drew Hansen (D-23), Wednesday, February 27, 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm, JLOB 369, Olympia, WA, (360) 786-7842;
Sen. Don Benton (R-17), Thursday, February 28, 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm, LEG 409, Olympia, WA (360) 786-7632; don.benton@leg.wa.gov; Topic: Fuel Tax Lid Removal (Meeting will include Coalition of Outdoor Groups and possibly reps from DNR and State Parks)
Rep. Kristine Lytton (D-40), Thursday, February 28, 3 pm – 3:15 pm, JLOB 310, Olympia, WA (360) 786-7800; kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov; Topic: Fees Rep. Larry Springer (D-45), Tuesday, March 5, 9:15 am - 9:30 am, LEG 132E, Olympia, WA (360) 786-7822;
TAKE A FRIEND SNOWMOBILING THIS WINTER/WIN NEW SLED! (Oct '12) -  Go Snowmobiling is offering you a chance to win a new snowmobile. All you need to do is 'Take a Friend Snowmobiling', and then share the story on the Go Snowmobiling Facebook page. One lucky person who shares a story will be selected. Start planning your ride now! Introduce someone new to snowmobiling; help grow our sport! Click here for the Go Snowmobiling poster. (Print it off and pass it around!)
FREE AVALANCHE AWARENESS TRAINING PROVIDED BY FOAC (Oct '12) - Friends of the Avalanche Center (FOAC) is offering training for clubs and groups this fall/winter. Click here for details.
OCTOBER SNOFLYER NOW POSTED! (Sep '12) - Check out the October Snoflyer for all the details regarding the WSSA Snowmobile Expo & Swap Meet. Click here!
WASHINGTON CLEANS UP AT THE INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE CONGRESS (Jun '12) - Washington's entry in the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association's 'Take a Friend Snowmobiling' contest was rated tops and resulted in the Association winning the $5,000 prize. (Way to go Florence Mohler who coordinated the event.) It was learned that WSSA member Aileen Warren won both the Western Chapter $2,000 Scholarship contest, as well as the International Media Council's $1,000 C.J. Ramstad Scholarship. Congrats Aileen! And finally, one member of the Washington contingent won a 50/50 raffle with donations supporting the Midwest Chapter's Scholarship Fund.
P.S. While occurring a few days before Congress, it was announced one WSSA member was also the winner of a new Yamaha snowmobile in the American Council of Snowmobile Association's annual snowmobile raffle. Wow!
JIM RUSSELL BENEVOLENCE FUND (Apr '12) - Many are aware WSSA's Trail Grooming Chair & WSSA Expo Committee member, Jim Russell, suffered a stroke near the end of January. While his condition has improved markedly, his recovery will be long and slow.
WSSA has set up an account for Jim Russell at Wells Fargo Bank to help with out of pocket expenses. At this time, it is not for his medical bills but to purchase the things he needs. Anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so at any Wells Fargo Bank. The account is called The Jim Russell Benevolence Fund. Contributions can be mailed to:
Cle Elum Wells Fargo Bank
303 Railroad Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Manson Wells Fargo Bank
590 Wapato Way
Manson, WA 98831
WSSA IS ON TWITTER TOO (Mar '12) - In addition to being on Facebook, (search "Washington State Snowmobile Association"), you can find us on Twitter at "wssaus".
WSSA OPPOSES 238,800 ACRE WILDERNESS PROPOSAL IN WASHINGTON - (Updated Oct '11) - The Forest Service released the draft Forest Plan Revision for the Colville/Okanogan/Wenatchee Forest and suggested large areas of the three Forests become Recommended Wilderness Areas (RWA). These areas encompass popular snowmobiling destinations. While it takes an Act of Congress to formally turn the areas into Wilderness, the RWA action is the first step and wil likely lead to 'Wilderness-like' management practices. Remember, snowmobiling is illegal in Wilderness areas!
WSSA sent a comment letter signed by our President opposing the Wilderness additions, as well s the Backcountry (non-motorized) designations in the Plan. Several board members also sent comment letters. WSSA's attorneys, on behalf of WSSA, sent a letter requesting a new comment period be opened when the related Travel Management Plan for these Forests is released. Watch this website and the Snoflyer for updated information as it becomes available.
MARBLE MOUNTAIN WARMING SHELTER TO BE REBUILT! (May '11) - With support of the U.S. Forest Service, snowmobilers and other recreation groups are already preparing to rebuild the Marble Mountain Warming Shelter destroyed by fire. If you are interested in donating time, equipment, materials or funds, please contact Jeanne Bennett, Executive Director of the Mount St. Helens Institute, at jbennett@mshinstitute.org or (360) 891-5107. Please direct any questions to Terry Tanner, WSSA's District 4S Representative, at terry.tanner@wssa.us or (509) 365-3539.
YAKAMA NATION'S MT. ADAMS AREA CLOSED TO SNOWMOBILING (Jan '10) - Read the details and view the map here.
WSSA IS ON FACEBOOK (Jan '10) - Search "Washington State Snowmobile Association" on Facebook and become a fan!
|
(Click SnowTrails logo for latest webisode)
Would you like to advertise on
our website or in our SnoFlyer?
If so, send an email to Advertising.
|