(Des Moines)– A bill that would increase boat registration fees has cleared the Natural Resources Committee in the Iowa Senate.
State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan says the additional revenue would be used for law enforcement and education. Johnson says more than 200-thousand boats are registered in the state and there hasn’t been a change in registration fees since 1984. Meanwhile, Johnson says there are increasing needs to get more officers on the lakes.
Johnson says the bill has strong support.
Another bill that would increase fishing license fees by three dollars a year and establish a new short-term license has also passed the committee. Johnson says additional revenue generated by that increase would help fund a new fish hatchery being proposed for the Des Moines area.
Companion bills have made it through the House Natural Resources Committee.
