An Act To Increase Funding To Contain and Manage the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Species
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10206, sub-§3, ¶C, as amended by PL 2013, c. 580, §1, is further amended to read:
The Prior to January 1, 2020, the fees outlined in section 13056, subsection 8, paragraphs A and B for watercraft operating on inland waters of the State each include a $10 fee for invasive species prevention and control. Beginning January 1, 2020, the fees outlined in section 13056, subsection 8, paragraphs A and B for watercraft operating on inland waters of the State each include an $18 fee for invasive species prevention and control. Beginning January 1, 2022, the fees outlined in section 13056, subsection 8, paragraphs A and B for watercraft operating on inland waters of the State each include a $20 fee for invasive species prevention and control. Beginning January 1, 2024, the fees outlined in section 13056, subsection 8, paragraphs A and B for watercraft operating on inland waters of the State each include a $22 fee for invasive species prevention and control. This fee is disposed of as follows:
(1) Eighty percent must be credited to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund; and
(2) Twenty percent must be credited to the Lake and River Protection Fund established within the department under section 10257.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §13056, sub-§8, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §14, is further amended to read:
(1) Ten horsepower or less, prior to January 1, 2020 the fee is $25 for operating on inland waters of the State and $15 for operating only on tidal waters of the State . Beginning January 1, 2020, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $33 and $15 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2022, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $35 and $15 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2024, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $37 and $15 for operating only on tidal waters of the State;
(2) Greater than 10 , horsepower but not more than 50 horsepower, prior to January 1, 2020 the fee is $30 for operating on inland waters of the State and $20 for operating only on tidal waters of the State . Beginning January 1, 2020, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $38 and $20 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2022, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $40 and $20 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2024, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $42 and $20 for operating only on tidal waters of the State; and
(3) Greater than 50 horsepower but not more than 115 horsepower, prior to January 1, 2020 the fee is $36 for operating on inland waters of the State and $26 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2020, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $44 and $26 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2022, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $46 and $26 for operating only on tidal waters of the State. Beginning January 1, 2024, the fee under this subparagraph for operating on inland waters of the State is $48 and $26 for operating only on tidal waters of the State.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13056, sub-§8, ¶B, as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §15, is further amended to read:
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §13058, sub-§3, as repealed and replaced by PL 2013, c. 580, §3, is amended to read:
The remainder of the fee is disposed as follows:
A motorboat, personal watercraft or seaplane owned by the Federal Government, a state government or a municipality is exempt from the fee established in this subsection.
summary
This bill increases the fees for the lake and river protection stickers that are required for all resident and nonresident motorboats, personal watercraft and seaplanes operating on inland waters of the State as follows.
1. Beginning January 1, 2020, the fee for resident motorboats and personal watercraft is increased by $8 and the fee for nonresident motorboats, nonresident personal watercraft and seaplanes is increased by $10.
2. Beginning January 1, 2022, the fee for resident motorboats and personal watercraft is increased by an additional $2 and the fee for nonresident motorboats, nonresident personal watercraft and seaplanes is increased by an additional $5.
3. Beginning January 1, 2024, the fee for resident motorboats and personal watercraft is increased by an additional $2 and the fee for nonresident motorboats, nonresident personal watercraft and seaplanes is increased by an additional $5.
The fee revenues from the sale of lake and river protection stickers are used to support the efforts of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Environmental Protection in preventing, eradicating and managing invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species in the State.