Relating to the registration requirements for certain vessels, requiring water use permits, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to registration requirements for certain vessels. Under current law, vessels of any length without a motor shall pay to a county recorder a registration fee of $12 in order for the vessel to be issued an identification number. A vessel may not be used on the waters of this state that are under the jurisdiction of the natural resource commission (NRC) without an identification number. Current law exempts conventional design canoes and kayak type vessels that are feet or less in length from the numbering and registration requirements. The bill increases the registration fee for vessels of any length without a motor to $20. However, the bill exempts a canoe or kayak type vessel of any length from registration requirements. The bill requires an owner of a paddlecraft using the paddlecraft on waters of this state under NRC jurisdiction to purchase and display on the paddlecraft a water use permit decal. The department of natural resources (DNR) shall make the water use permit decal available to purchase at water recreation facilities operated by DNR and at retail locations for $7 plus any administrative and authorized writing fees. The water use permit decal shall be valid from January to December of the same calendar year. Moneys from the purchase of water use permit decals shall be deposited in the state fish and game protection fund for purposes of water trail development, administering and enforcing navigation laws, and promoting water safety. The provisions of the bill relating to vessels exempt from registration and relating to water use permit decals take effect July 1, 2024.