Chapter 350

350.12(5) (5) Registration decals and trail use stickers to be displayed.

350.12(5)(a) (a) The owner of the snowmobile shall attach the registration decals to the snowmobile in a prominent place, and shall maintain the registration decals in a legible condition at all times. Decals shall be not larger than 3 inches in height and 6 inches in width. Registration decals are to be applied on both sides of the cowling of the snowmobile. The owner of the snowmobile shall attach the trail use sticker to the snowmobile in the manner promulgated by rule by the department.

350.12(5)(b) (b) The person operating a snowmobile shall at all times carry proof of the registration certificate or, for an owner who purchased a snowmobile and who has received a temporary operating receipt but who has not yet received the registration certificate, proof of the temporary operating receipt.

350.12(5)(c) (c) The operator of a snowmobile shall exhibit, upon demand, proof of the registration certificate or, for an owner who purchased a snowmobile and who has received a temporary operating receipt but who has not yet received the registration certificate, proof of the temporary operating receipt for inspection by any person authorized to enforce this section as provided under s. 350.17 (1) and (3).

350.12(5)(cm) (cm) A person may operate a snowmobile without having the registration decals displayed as provided under par. (a) if the owner has received a validated registration receipt and if the operator of the snowmobile complies with pars. (b) and (c).

350.12(5)(d) (d) At the end of the registration period the department shall send the owner of each snowmobile a renewal application. The owner shall sign the renewal application and submit the application and the proper fee to the department or to an agent appointed under sub. (3h) (a) 3. using one of the procedures specified in sub. (3h) (ag) 1.

350.12(5)(e) (e) This subsection does not apply to any snowmobile to which a plate and decal are attached as required under sub. (3) (c) 3.

350.12(6) (6) Change of address. Whenever the owner of a registered snowmobile changes his or her address, the owner shall within 15 days thereafter notify the department in writing of the new address and of the registration numbers awarded to the owner. At the same time the owner shall endorse the new address on the owner’s registration certificates.

350.12(7) (7) Sales and use taxes. The department shall collect sales and use taxes due under s. 77.61 (1) on any snowmobile registered under this section and the report in respect to those taxes. The department shall use collection and accounting methods approved by the department of revenue.

350.12 History History: 1971 c. 211, 277; 1973 c. 298; 1975 c. 39 ss. 693g to 693m, 734; 1975 c. 224; 1977 c. 29, 402; 1979 c. 32; 1979 c. 34 ss. 1072, 2102 (39) (a); 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 20, 294, 295; 1983 a. 27 ss. 1709, 1710, 2202 (38); 1983 a. 36, 405; 1985 a. 29 s. 3202 (39); 1985 a. 68, 322; 1985 a. 332 ss. 211, 253; 1987 a. 27, 129, 399; 1989 a. 31, 270, 336; 1991 a. 39, 269, 316; 1993 a. 16, 405, 436; 1995 a. 27, 225; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 166, 321; 2005 a. 25, 481; 2007 a. 226; 2011 a. 32, 257; 2013 a. 20, 142, 233; 2015 a. 55, 89; 2017 a. 59, 161; 2017 a. 364 s. 49; 2021 a. 58; 2023 a. 110.

350.12 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 6.11, 6.12, and 19.01, Wis. adm. code.

350.122 350.122 Lac du Flambeau registration program.

350.122(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

350.122(1)(a) (a) “Band” means the Lac du Flambeau band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

350.122(1)(b) (b) “Reservation” means the territory within the boundaries of the Lac du Flambeau reservation that were in existence on April 10, 1996.

350.122(2) (2) Authorization for issuance. The band may issue registration certificates for public use or private use for snowmobiles that are equivalent to the registration certificates for public use or private use that are issued by the department. The band may not register snowmobiles as antiques and may not issue registration certificates to political subdivisions of this state. The band may renew and transfer a registration certificate that it or the department has issued. The band may issue duplicates of only those registration certificates that it issues under this section.

350.122(3) (3) Requirements for issuance; fees; periods of validity.

350.122(3)(a) (a) For issuing or renewing any registration certificate under this section, the band shall collect the same fee that would be collected for the equivalent registration certificate under s. 350.12 (3) (a). For transferring a registration certificate under this section, the band shall collect the same fee that would be collected for the transfer under s. 350.12 (3) (a) 3. For issuing a duplicate registration certificate under this section, the band shall collect the same fee that would be collected for the duplicate under s. 350.12 (3) (e).

350.122(3)(b) (b) The band may not issue, renew or otherwise process registration certificates under this section in conjunction with discount coupons or as part of a promotion or other merchandising offer.

350.122(3)(c) (c) For a registration certificate issued, transferred or renewed under this section, the period of validity shall be the same as it would be for the equivalent registration certificate under s. 350.12 (3) (a).

350.122(3)(d) (d) The band may issue, renew or otherwise process registration certificates under this section only to persons who appear in person on the reservation.

350.122(4) (4) Requirements for registration: procedures, applications and decals.

350.122(4)(a) (a) The band shall use registration applications and certificates that are substantially similar to those under s. 350.12 with regard to length, legibility and information content.

350.122(4)(b) (b) The band shall use registration decals that are substantially similar to those under s. 350.12 with regard to color, size, legibility, information content, and placement on the snowmobile.

350.122(4)(c) (c) The band shall use a sequential numbering system that includes a series of letters or initials that identify the band as the issuing authority.

350.122(4)(d) (d) The band shall establish procedures that are substantially similar to the procedures specified in s. 350.12 (3) (a) 2., 3. and 4., (5) (d) and (6) and to the procedures to be used for validating applications for purposes of s. 350.12 (5) (b) and (c).

350.122(5) (5) Registration information; records; tax collection.

350.122(5)(a) (a) The band shall provide registration information to the state in one of the following ways:

350.122(5)(a)1. 1. By transmitting all additions, changes or deletions of registration information to persons identified in the agreement described under sub. (6), for incorporation into the registration records of this state, within one working day after the addition, change or deletion.

350.122(5)(a)2. 2. By establishing a 24-hour per day data retrieval system, consisting of either a law enforcement agency with 24-hour per day staffing or a computerized data retrieval system to which law enforcement officials of this state have access at all times.

350.122(5)(b) (b) Before June 1 annually, the band shall submit a report to the department notifying it of the number of each type of registration certificate that the band issued, transferred or renewed for the period beginning on April 1 of the previous year and ending on March 31 of the year in which the report is submitted.

350.122(5)(c) (c) For law enforcement purposes, the band shall make available for inspection by the department during normal business hours the band’s records of all registration certificates issued, renewed or otherwise processed, including copies of all applications made for certificates.

350.122(5)(d) (d) The band shall ensure that a record of each registration certificate issued, renewed or otherwise processed under this section, including a copy of each application made, is retained for at least 2 years after the date of expiration of the certificate.

350.122(5)(e) (e) The band shall collect the sales and use taxes due under s. 77.61 (1) on any snowmobile registered under this section and make the report in respect to those taxes. The band shall use collection and accounting methods approved by the department of revenue. On or before the 15th day of each month, the band shall pay to the department of revenue all taxes that the band collected in the previous month.

350.122(6) (6) Applicability. This section does not apply unless the department and the band have in effect a written agreement under which the band agrees to comply with subs. (2) to (5) and that contains all of the following terms:

350.122(6)(a) (a) The manner in which the band will limit its treaty-based right to fish outside the reservation.

350.122(6)(b) (b) A requirement that the fees collected by the band under sub. (3) be used only for a program for registering snowmobiles, for regulating snowmobiles and snowmobiling and for providing snowmobile trails, and snowmobile facilities.

350.122 History History: 1997 a. 27.

350.125 350.125 Completion of application for registration by snowmobile dealers.

350.125(1) (1) 

350.125(1)(a) (a) When a snowmobile dealer sells a snowmobile, the dealer, at the time of sale, shall require the buyer to complete an application for an original registration certificate, collect the required fee, and do one of the following:

350.125(1)(a)1. 1. Mail the application and fee to the department no later than 5 days after the date of sale and furnish the buyer with a validated registration receipt.

350.125(1)(a)2. 2. Use the expedited service under s. 350.12 (3h) (ag) as an agent of the department.

350.125(1)(ag) (ag) The department shall provide combination application and receipt forms to be used by the dealer.

350.125(1)(ar) (ar) No snowmobile dealer may charge an additional fee to the buyer for performing the service required under this subsection unless the dealer uses the expedited service specified in s. 350.12 (3h) (ag). No snowmobile dealer may perform this service for a registration under s. 350.122.

350.125(1)(b) (b) When a snowmobile dealer sells a snowmobile to a person from another state who wishes to register the snowmobile in his or her home state or to a person who wishes to register the snowmobile under s. 350.122, the dealer shall, at the time of sale, complete an application for a registration certificate and indicate on the application that the snowmobile is to be registered in another state or under s. 350.122 and mail one copy to the department no later than 14 days after the date of sale, furnish the buyer with one copy and retain one copy for the dealer’s records.

350.125(2) (2) Every dealer shall maintain, for one year, a record in the form prescribed by the department for each new snowmobile sold. These records shall be open to inspection by the department.

350.125 History History: 1973 c. 298; 1975 c. 230, 399, 421; 1977 c. 402; 1981 c. 295; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 25.

350.125 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.01, Wis. adm. code.

350.13 350.13 Uniform trail signs and standards. The department of natural resources in cooperation with the department of transportation, after public hearing, shall promulgate rules to establish uniform trail and route signs and standards relating to operation thereon as authorized by law. The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway may place signs on highways under its jurisdiction where authorized snowmobile trails cross. These signs must be of a type approved by the department of natural resources and the department of transportation.

350.13 History History: 1971 c. 40 s. 93; 1971 c. 277; 1973 c. 298; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39.

350.135 350.135 Interferences with uniform trail signs and standards prohibited.

350.135(1) (1) No person may intentionally remove, damage, deface, move or obstruct any uniform snowmobile trail sign or standard or intentionally interfere with the effective operation of any uniform snowmobile trail sign or standards if the sign or standard is legally placed by the state, any municipality or any authorized individual. This subsection does not apply to an authorized individual who removes or moves any uniform snowmobile trail sign or standard from his or her own property.

350.135(2) (2) No person may possess any uniform snowmobile trail sign or standard of the type established by the department for the warning, instruction or information of the public, unless he or she obtained the uniform snowmobile trail sign or standard in a lawful manner. Possession of a uniform snowmobile trail sign or standard creates a rebuttable presumption of illegal possession.

350.135 History History: 1981 c. 295; 1993 a. 119.

350.136 350.136 Signs that advertise nearby businesses.

350.136(1) (1) The department shall allow snowmobile clubs to erect signs that advertise nearby businesses along snowmobile trails on land under the department’s jurisdiction as provided under this section.

350.136(2) (2) The department shall enter into an agreement with an interested snowmobile club that allows the club to erect eligible signs containing advertising of private businesses along snowmobile trails on land under the department’s jurisdiction. A sign is eligible if it meets all of the following standards:

350.136(2)(a) (a) The sign advertises only businesses that offer fuel, food, vehicle servicing, or lodging and that are accessible by snowmobile.

350.136(2)(b) (b) The sign is placed only at a trail intersection.

350.136(2)(c) (c) The sign contains only the following information:

350.136(2)(c)1. 1. The name of the business.

350.136(2)(c)2. 2. The type of service provided.

350.136(2)(c)3. 3. The distance to the business.

350.136(2)(c)4. 4. An arrow showing the direction to the business.

350.136(2)(d) (d) The sign meets all other requirements for guide signs along a snowmobile trail.

350.136(2)(e) (e) The sign is erected and maintained by the snowmobile club.

350.136(2m) (2m) The department and a snowmobile club may negotiate the inclusion in the agreement under sub. (2) of provisions relating to the erection and removal of signs.

350.136(3) (3) The department may not charge a snowmobile club a fee as a condition of entering into the agreement under sub. (2).

350.136(4) (4) All of the following are exempt from subch. IV of ch. 16:

350.136(4)(a) (a) An agreement between the department and a snowmobile club under sub. (2).

350.136(4)(b) (b) Advertising on a sign in conformity with the standards under sub. (2).

350.136 History History: 2023 a. 63.

350.137 350.137 Uniform snowmobile rail crossing standards.

350.137(1) (1) The department, after having consulted with each rail authority, as defined in s. 350.138 (1) (b), in this state, that has furnished the department with the information required under s. 350.138 (2m), an established snowmobile association that represents snowmobile clubs, as defined in s. 350.138 (1) (e), in this state, and the office of the commissioner of railroads, shall promulgate rules to establish uniform maintenance standards and uniform design and construction standards for snowmobile rail crossings under ss. 350.138 and 350.139.

350.137(2) (2) The maintenance standards shall include requirements for the marking of snowmobile rail crossings and for the maintenance of adequate drainage of railroad rights-of-way. The design and construction standards shall include a list and a description of the frequency and speed of railroad trains and railroad track equipment and the types of railroad tracks, embankments, ditches, snowmobile trail alignments and other configurations that do any of the following:

350.137(2)(a) (a) Preclude the use of a proposed site for a snowmobile rail crossing because the site would be unsafe due to poor visibility of an approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment from the position of a snowmobile operator who is stopped on the approach to the proposed crossing.

350.137(2)(b) (b) Make it difficult to construct a snowmobile rail crossing at a proposed site because of steep embankments or irregular terrain near the railroad track.

350.137 History History: 1993 a. 120; 2001 a. 14; 2011 a. 101.

350.137 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 6.40, 6.41, 6.42, 6.43, 6.44, 6.45, and 6.46, Wis. adm. code.

350.138 350.138 Snowmobile rail crossings requiring permits.

350.138(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

350.138(1)(a) (a) “Established snowmobile rail crossing” has the meaning given in s. 350.139 (1) (a).

350.138(1)(b) (b) “Rail authority” means a rail transit body or a railroad corporation.

350.138(1)(c) (c) “Rail transit body” means any transit or transportation commission or authority or public corporation established by law or by interstate compact to provide rail service.

350.138(1)(d) (d) “Snowmobile alliance” means an organization that consists of or represents any combination of 2 or more snowmobile clubs or counties.

350.138(1)(e) (e) “Snowmobile club” means an organization that meets at least 3 times a year, that has at least 10 members, that promotes snowmobiling and that participates in the department’s program under s. 350.12 (4) (b) 2.

350.138(1)(f) (f) “Snowmobile organization” means a snowmobile club, a snowmobile alliance or a county.

350.138(2) (2) Permit required. No person may construct a snowmobile rail crossing that is not located on a railroad crossing of a highway or street unless the person is a snowmobile organization and has a permit issued under this section. No person may maintain a snowmobile rail crossing that is not located on a railroad crossing of a highway or street unless the person is a snowmobile organization and either the person has a permit issued under this section or the snowmobile rail crossing is an established snowmobile rail crossing. In order to obtain a permit required under this section, a snowmobile organization shall apply to the department. A separate permit is required for each snowmobile rail crossing subject to this section.