[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5376-S5377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 917. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to require the 
use of a certain minimum amount of funds for winter motorized access 
trails; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I rise to introduce a bill with great 
significance for snowmachine and snowmobile advocates both in Alaska 
and nationwide.
  As many of my colleagues know, the use of snowmobiles is growing as a 
form of recreation. There are an estimated 1.64 million snowmobiles 
currently in use. In my State of Alaska, and in other northern States, 
travel by snowmobile goes beyond recreation. In many areas it is a 
regular form of transportation when snow prevents

[[Page S5377]]

people from traveling any other way. Snowmobiles are used regularly to 
visit neighbors, to hunt for a family's food supply, to carry people 
who are sick or injured to a place they can receive care. In many parts 
of Alaska, snowmobiles are as common as cars.
  Unfortunately, there is no existing program to provide for the proper 
marking of snowmobile trails, to maintain trails, or even to encourage 
safe use of these machines. The bill I am introducing today is intended 
to correct that situation.
  First, my bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a 
snowmobile education program. Second, the bill directs the Secretary, 
working with the snowmobile industry and others, to estimate the amount 
of fuel tax attributable to snowmobile use in each State, and provides 
that at least the same dollar amount be dedicated to the acquisition, 
design, planning, construction and maintenance of snowmobile trails.
  At present, 30 percent of the Recreational Trails program funding is 
reserved for motorized uses, which may be combined with money for other 
uses, to establish multiple-use trails and associated facilities. 
However, although a portion of this funding comes from the tax paid for 
fuel used in snowmobiles, there is no guarantee that any of that money 
actually is used to benefit snowmobile activities.
  My bill takes nothing away from any other part of the Recreational 
Trails program--it simply ensures that each State spends on snowmobiles 
what is collected from snowmobiles. That is simple fairness.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 917

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. WINTER MOTORIZED ACCESS TRAILS.

       Section 206 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Snowmachine.--The term `snow
     machine' means a motorized off-road vehicle intended to 
     operate on snow, and which is propelled by means of a 
     revolving track or tracks.''; and
       (2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Winter motorized access trails.--
       ``(A) Use of funds.--
       ``(i) Determination by the secretary.--The Secretary shall 
     annually estimate revenues to the Highway Trust Fund derived 
     from fuel purchased in each State for use in snowmachines, 
     using information submitted by--

       ``(I) the Department of Commerce;
       ``(II) the Department of the Treasury;
       ``(III) the International Snowmobile Manufacturers 
     Association; and
       ``(IV) any other appropriate sources.

       ``(ii) Use of funds.--

       ``(I) In general.--Of amounts made available to a State for 
     motorized access under the recreational trails program, not 
     less than the amount that is equal to the revenues derived 
     from fuel purchased for use in the State by snowmachines, as 
     estimated by the Secretary under clause (i), shall be used 
     for activities that enhance winter motorized recreational 
     trails, including--

       ``(aa) trails on Bureau of Land Management or National 
     Forest land where such uses are not prohibited by law; and
       ``(bb) trails designed for diverse uses in other seasons.

       ``(II) Activities.--A State may use funds under subclause 
     (I) to--

       ``(aa) locate, survey, and map winter motorized-use or 
     multiple-use trails;
       ``(bb) document or secure public rights-of-way for trails;
       ``(cc) reroute trails where necessary;
       ``(dd) design and construct new trail routes;
       ``(ee) link existing trail systems;
       ``(ff) build trailhead facilities;
       ``(gg) improve trails for safe travel and multiple uses;
       ``(hh) establish safety caches of first aid and emergency 
     gear;
       ``(ii) sign and mark trails;
       ``(jj) purchase trail building and grooming equipment; and
       ``(kk) mobilize trail volunteers as maintenance crews, 
     safety patrols, and trail ambassadors.
       ``(B) Public information campaigns.--
       ``(i) In general.--Of the sums available to the Secretary 
     for the administration of and research and technical 
     assistance under the recreational trails program and for 
     administration of the National Recreational Trails Advisory 
     Committee, $50,000 shall be used for each fiscal year for 
     public information campaigns educating the public about, and 
     encouraging, the safe use of snowmachines.
       ``(ii) Content.--In designing the content of public 
     information campaigns under clause (i), the Secretary shall 
     consult with--

       ``(I) representatives of snowmachine manufacturers and 
     users; and
       ``(II) the Advertising Council.''.

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