SF3927

Purpose

• The bill changes how Minnesota issues watercraft licenses by updating the fee amounts based on the size of the watercraft and how it’s used. It also repeals an existing provision. The goal appears to be adjusting licensing costs across different categories of boats, including small recreational craft, larger boats, commercial use, nonprofit teaching, and dealer-owned watercraft.

Main Provisions

• Section 1: Watercraft 19 feet or less

  • Revises the general license fees for small watercraft (19 feet or less), with different rates depending on use (standard license, rental/lease, sailboats, nonprofit teaching for safety, dealer-owned, personal watercraft, and very small craft under 17 feet).
  • Includes specific carve-outs for certain categories (e.g., personal watercraft vs. other small watercraft) and for certain ownership or use scenarios (such as rental or dealer ownership).

• Section 2: Canoes, kayaks, sailboards, paddleboards, paddleboats, or rowing shells

  • Sets a license fee for these craft, specifically for those over ten feet in length, with a stated amount (the text shows two figures, which may reflect base and optional/alternate fees).

• Section 3: Watercraft over 19 feet (general use)

  • Establishes new license fees by length for larger boats:
  • More than 19 feet but less than 26 feet
  • 26 feet but less than 40 feet
  • 40 feet or longer
  • The bill lists specific numeric amounts for these categories (appearing as two numbers in each case, likely indicating base vs. alternate or included options).

• Section 4: Watercraft over 19 feet for commercial use (hire)

  • Sets the license fee for larger boats primarily used for charter fishing, commercial fishing, passenger carriage, or other commercial operation with an operator for hire.

• Section 5: Watercraft used by nonprofit corporations for teaching

  • Establishes a license fee for watercraft used by nonprofit organizations for teaching boating and water safety.

• Section 6: Dealers license

  • States there is no separate fee for watercraft owned by a dealer under a dealers license, but then provides a general fee amount for a dealers license.

• Section 7: Repealer

  • Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 86B.005 subdivision 11a.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Fees by size and use are reorganized and updated across multiple categories (small craft, larger craft, commercial use, nonprofit teaching, and dealer ownership).
• The bill introduces or clarifies separate fee structures for:
  • Small watercraft (19 feet or less) vs. larger watercraft (over 19 feet)
  • Craft used for rent/lease, nonprofit safety education, or dealer ownership
  • Specific categories like canoes, kayaks, sailboards, paddleboards, paddleboats, and rowing shells
  • Commercial use (charter fishing, passenger service, etc.)
• Repeal of an existing provision (86B.005 subdivision 11a) as part of the reform.

Practical Effects

• Watercraft owners and operators may see changes in annual licensing costs, with different amounts depending on craft size and intended use.
• Those renting or leasing small watercraft, nonprofit safety education programs, and dealers may face new or adjusted fee structures.
• Commercial operators and larger watercraft will have fee levels aligned to the new categories.

Administration/Process

• The bill was introduced and referred to the Environment, Climate, and Legacy committee for consideration.

Relevant terms section follows.

Relevant Terms - watercraft license - fees - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 86B.415 - watercraft 19 feet or less - personal watercraft - watercraft over 19 feet - more than 19 feet but less than 26 feet - 26 feet but less than 40 feet - 40 feet in length or longer - rental or lease - nonprofit corporation for teaching boat and water safety - dealers license - watercraft used for commercial use/hire - charter fishing - commercial fishing - passenger carrying - for hire - canoes - kayaks - sailboards - paddleboards - paddleboats - rowing shells - repeal (86B.005 subdivision 11a)