LANSING, Mich. — Snowmobilers in the Great Lakes State could pay higher fees this year under bills sent to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Detroit Free Press reported in December.

The proposed fee hike, which was approved by the state Senate, would help the state avoid a $1 million deficit in its snowmobiling budget. It would also help raise additional funds to maintain and improve snowmobile trails.

If the bills are signed, the fees would go from $25 to $35 for the 2009-2010 year. They would then increase again in 2011 through 2015 to $45. Future increases would be tied to the inflation rate.

According to the newspaper report, the three-year snowmobile registration fee would rise from $22 to $30, and the fine for operating a snowmobile without registration would quadruple to $200 on July 1. Some of that money would go toward expanding and protecting snowmobile trails.

As of press time, there was no indication the governor would sign the bills.


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