Bipartisan State Boating Act would reduce costs for states and recreators, help combat aquatic invasive species
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today introduced the State Boating Act, bipartisan legislation to empower states to fund crucial boating programs and aquatic invasive species control by ensuring they can collect fees at the point of boat registration, a practice halted by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the last year.
Many states administer the federal USCG regulations requiring annual Continuity of Numbers (CON) registrations on most vessels owned by citizens and operating on the navigable waters of the United States. Vermont also requires a $7 invasive species fund sticker for all watercraft, both motorized and nonmotorized, which funds aquatic invasive species prevention efforts.
“Vermont’s lakes and rivers are central to our way of life and rural economies,” said Senator Welch. “For years, modest boat registration fees have been vital in boosting search and rescue efforts and supporting efforts to keep our ecosystems safe from invasive species. Streamlining this process will ensure Vermont’s waterways stay clean and safe for everyone who depends on them.”
“Idaho has used a streamlined fee collection process successfully for more than a decade,” said Senator Crapo. “Forcing states to decouple these fees into separate financial transactions increases costs for both states and recreators as well as hinders our ability to fund important boating safety programs and keep our waterways free of invasive species.”
Vermont, Idaho, and other states have adopted the practice of allowing boat owners to obtain both their CON registration and invasive species fund sticker under one financial transaction. In recent years, the USCG has been pressuring states to separate these boating related transactions, increasing processing fees and administrative burdens for both the consumer and the state agencies, and potentially creating confusion over the payments. USCG has argued its regulations do not permit states to tack on additional fees to be charged concurrently with the CON.
The bipartisan State Boating Act would explicitly allow states to collect boating fees alongside CON fees during the vessel numbering process without interference by USCG. These collected fees support essential state programs like boating safety education, search and rescue operations and aquatic invasive special control.
The State Boating Act is supported by the American Rivers Action Fund, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
“American Rivers Action Fund applauds Senator Crapo and Senator Welch for reintroducing the State Boating Act. This legislation strengthens the programs that keep our rivers healthy and our communities safe. By giving states the flexibility and resources they need, we can stop invasive species at the source, improve boater safety, and protect waterways that power local economies,” said Tom Kiernan, President, American Rivers Action Fund.
“I thank Senators Crapo and Welch for introducing this critical legislation that preserves state agencies’ ability to continue collecting relevant fees for aquatic invasive species management, boater safety and access at the time of boating registration,” said Susan Buxton, Director of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. “This will help ensure stable funding for state aquatic invasive species prevention and response efforts, while also providing boaters with a seamless, cost-effective registration experience.”
“American Rivers Action Fund applauds Senator Crapo and Senator Welch for reintroducing the State Boating Act,” said Tom Kiernan, President, American Rivers Action Fund. “This legislation strengthens the programs that keep our rivers healthy and our communities safe. By giving states the flexibility and resources they need, we can stop invasive species at the source, improve boater safety, and protect waterways that power local economies.”
“State fish and wildlife agencies strive to provide exceptional angling and boating experiences,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section, West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources, and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “To do so, many of these agencies run programs to advance boater safety, improve boating access, and manage and prevent aquatic invasive species. The State Boating Act preserves states’ ability to collect fees for these programs during the boat registration process to ensure a simplified and easy transaction for the customer. We appreciate the leadership of Senators Crapo and Welch to remove administrative barriers in providing enhanced boating and angling opportunities on their waters and help states maintain eligibility for critical recreational boating safety grant funding.”
Read and download the full text of the State Boating Act of 2026.
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