Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64This council is made up of legislative representatives (one member of the senate, one member of the house), two representatives from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); a representative each from all law enforcement agencies; Vermont State Police, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Vermont Sheriff’s Association, Vermont Police Chief’s Association, Southern Vermont Snowmobile Task Force, and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. In addition, the council also includes members of VAST being the VAST Executive Director, Trails Administrator, Trails Manager/LVRT Project Manager, and five volunteer VAST members appointed by the Governor to represent geographic regions of the state. These last five members represent the Northwest, Northeast, Central, and Southern portions of the state as well as a chairman appointed by the governor. The council includes the following functions: • To review, advise, and consent on development of the annual plan for the expenditure of funds for the statewide snowmobile trails program (SSTP). • To review and advise the governor and general assembly on matters relating to snowmobiling in Vermont, including environmental and community impacts, development of snowmobile trails, ways to encourage snowmobile traffic in those communities that seek more traffic and control the growth in municipalities that desire less traffic, adequacy of parking areas, carrying capacity trails, state laws and rules affecting snowmobilers and promoting snowmobiling in this state. • TohelpinthecoordinationoftheeffortsforVAST, the state and federal agencies, private industry, and non-profit organizations for meeting needs of snowmobilers in Vermont. • To perform any other duties or functions regarding snowmobiling assigned by the Governor. • The Governor’s Snowmobile Council oversees the Statewide SnowmobileTrails program (SSTP) budget. This budget is composed of a portion of the registration fees, law enforcement funding, fines and penalties, and Vermont gas tax (40% share). DMV - At the May 2016 meeting of the Governor’s Snowmobile Council, DMV reported that there were 337 less registrations this season than in 2014/15 season which was reported as 23,553. Vermont legislature approved (at no request from VAST) an increase in registration fees as follows: TYPE of REGISTRATION FROM TO In-state $25 $28 Out-of-state $32 $36 Antique One-time Registration $42 $50 Duplicate Registration $5 $6 Snowmobile Transfer $2 $3 Legislative Reports: A Legislative House bill, H308, was passed during last session. It states: If VAST has exercised reasonable care in marking the boundaries of the SSTS, it shall not be liable for ordinary negligence for any property damage or personal injury sustained by any person that arises from operation of a snowmobile outside the SSTS. However, VAST’s liability shall not be limited under this subdivision (d)(2) if a person operating a snowmobile leaves the SSTS because of an unsafe condition on the SSTS and the damage or injury occurs before the operator is able to return safely to the SSTS. 18 GOVERNOR’S SNOWMOBILE COUNCIL Submitted by Richard G. Jewitt, Chair