ALBANY -- Assemblyman Daniel Burling (R,C,I – Warsaw) is joining other members of the Assembly Republican Conference in co-sponsoring legislation that would prevent the transfer of funds from accounts that are specifically supported with a dedicated fee.  This action is in response to the recent budget transfer of funds from the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.  An estimated $1 million was taken from the $7 million fund, which is generated by fees collected from snowmobilers in order to maintain trails, and was put into general budget spending.

Snowmobile registration fees were increased with the /Snowmobile Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2005/ based on the promise that the fees would be used to subsidize the Snowmobile Fund. However, it was not stated anywhere in the sponsor’s memo that if not used within a certain time period, the funds would be appropriated elsewhere.

The money has been placed in the general fund of the budget, to be spent at the state’s discretion, a clear violation of the rights of snowmobilers who agreed to pay this increased registration fee with the expectation that the funds be used for their benefit.