Drunken Snowmobiling To Be Misdemeanor

Drunken snowmobiling will become a misdemeanor under legislation that passed the House on Friday and went to the governor’s office.

Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden, proposed the bill, which originally would have made drunken snowmobiling subject to all the same penalties as drunken driving, including prison time.

The Senate amended the bill and removed the felony penalties. The final version includes all-terrain vehicles along with snowmobiles.

Drunken snowmobiling previously was an infraction, which is a minor traffic ticket.

Unless the governor vetoes it, the bill will become law, and take effect July 1.