(Arnolds Park)– A freshman lawmaker who represents the Iowa Great Lakes in the Iowa House has introduced a bill that would increase boat registration fees.
State Representative Mike May of Spirit Lake says the measure is similar to one that was introduced last session but didn’t go anywhere.
Under the measure, registration fees for unpowered boats (row or sail) would go from five dollars for two years to 12-dollars for three years. Motorboats and sailboats less than 16-feet would go from eight dollars for two years currently to $22.50 for three years. Boats 16 to 27 feet, now paying 10-dollars for two years, would pay $37.50 for three years. Personal watercraft would pay 45-dollars for three years; and boats 28 to 40 feet would pay 60-dollars for three years, while all larger craft would pay $112.50.
May says the proceeds from the increased fees would be used for water safety, including the purchase of additional patrol boats for the Lakes Patrol; and to hire additional personnel to look for invasive water species, such as Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels.
May is cautiously optimistic the measure will pass the House, but he says it’s going to take some time. May says he’s building support for it first in his own caucus before handing it off to key Democrats.
A companion bill has not been introduced yet in the Senate. State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan says they’ll hold off until something gets passed in the House.
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