Here is a response I got from someone at the DNR....basically sounds like $85.
Martin,
Here is the statute that sets what the fines are for not displaying the decals. I have colored the text red that highlights the fines. The fines given do not include court costs.
However, most of the Justices of the Peace require all officers to collect a bond from non-residents on all misdemeanor crimes because once you leave the State of Montana we can't extradite. A bond is basically a certain amount of money (established by the Justices of the Peace) that basically says you will take care of you fine.
Here is how the process would work. A non-resident fails to purchase the non-resident decal for his snowmobile and is stopped by an officer. The non-resident is given a Notice to Appear and is required to post a bond of $85.00 or go to jail. The ticketed person pays the bond and is given a certain amount of time to respond to the court. If he decides not to respond the $85.00 is forfeited to the court and the case is over. If the person decides to plead not guilty he must respond to the court by the given date and then go through the court process. If found guilty than the judge can access a fine amount in the range highlighted below plus court fees. If found not guilty the $85.00 bond collected by the officer is returned.
Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks
Ron Jendro
Recreation Program Manager
Enforcement
(406) 444-0136
23-2-615. Nonresident temporary-use snowmobile permits -- use of fees. (1) The requirements for a nonresident temporary-use snowmobile permit are as follows:
(a) Application for the issuance of the permit must be made at locations and upon forms prescribed by the department. The forms must include but are not limited to:
(i) the applicant's name and permanent address; and
(ii) an affidavit declaring the nonresidency of the applicant.
(b) Upon submission of the application and a fee of $25, of which 50 cents is a search and rescue surcharge, a nonresident temporary-use snowmobile sticker must be issued. The sticker must be permanently affixed in a conspicuous manner on the snowmobile.
(2) The temporary-use snowmobile permit is valid during the fiscal year in which it is issued.
(3) The temporary-use snowmobile permit is not proof of ownership, and a certificate of title may not be issued.
(4) (a) A nonresident temporary-use snowmobile permit is not required for a snowmobile that qualifies as a racing snowmobile under 23-2-622 <../../23/2/23-2-622.htm>.
(b) A nonresident temporary-use snowmobile permit is not required for a snowmobile that will be used only on trails that are managed jointly by agreement between Montana and another state.
(5) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), money collected by payment of fees under this section must be deposited in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the department and used as follows:
(a) $11 must be expended in areas that are impacted by nonresident snowmobile use to assist in offsetting snowmobile trail grooming costs;
(b) $2.50 must be used by the department for the enforcement of snowmobile laws pursuant to 23-2-641 <../../23/2/23-2-641.htm>;
(c) $1 must be remitted to the license agent who sold the nonresident temporary-use snowmobile permit; and
(d) $10 must be used by the department for the statewide snowmobile trail grooming program.
(6) The failure to display the permit as required by this section or the making of false statements in obtaining the permit is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $100.
