SF4704

Purpose

• Change how watercraft licenses are priced in Minnesota and add a funding mechanism to support aquatic invasive species (AIS) work.
• Eliminate license fees for certain nonmotorized watercraft, while establishing new or revised fees for other watercraft and sizes, and adding a surcharge to fund AIS control, public awareness, enforcement, monitoring, and research.

Main Provisions

• Licenses for watercraft 19 feet or less (base and category fees)

  • A base license fee for watercraft 19 feet or less is set at 59, with specific category fees for different uses or types.
  • Examples of category fees (illustrative categories, exact amounts shown in bill):
  • Watercraft other than personal watercraft 19 feet or less offered for rent or lease
  • Sailboat 19 feet or less
  • Watercraft owned by a dealer under a dealer license
  • Watercraft used by a nonprofit corporation for teaching boat and water safety
  • Personal watercraft (including ones offered for rent or lease)
  • Motorized watercraft less than 17 feet in length
  • Note: The bill provides distinct amounts for each category (some categories have reduced or special rates).

• Licenses for watercraft over 19 feet

  • New/license fees are set for larger watercraft:
  • More than 19 feet but less than 26 feet
  • 26 feet but less than 40 feet
  • 40 feet or longer
  • Example base amounts (as listed in the bill): 113 for 19–<26 ft, 164 for 26–<40 ft, 209 for 40 ft or longer.

• Watercraft surcharge (AIS funding)

  • A new surcharge is added to each licensed watercraft to fund AIS-related activities (control, public awareness, law enforcement, monitoring, and research).
  • The surcharge applies to most license categories and varies by watercraft size and type (examples include surcharges for small nonmotorized craft, personal watercraft, sailboats, nonprofit-using craft, dealer-owned craft, and larger motorized craft).
  • AIS examples referenced in the bill: zebra mussel, purple loosestrife, Eurasian watermilfoil.
  • The surcharge amounts are listed by category in the bill (e.g., small craft, rentals, sailboats, nonprofit teaching craft, dealers, personal watercraft, motorized craft under 17 feet, canoes/kayaks/sailboards/paddleboards/rowing shells over 10 feet, larger craft, and charter/commercial operations).

• Repeal of prior nonmotorized craft fee

  • The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 86B.415 subdivision 1a, which covered certain nonmotorized watercraft license fees (canoes, kayaks, sailboards, paddleboards, paddleboats, rowing shells over 10 feet).
  • Result: fees for those specific nonmotorized craft would be eliminated under the new structure.

• Appendix

  • The repealed statute (86B.415) is noted in the appendix of the bill.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Elimination of license fees for certain nonmotorized watercraft (specific types listed in the repealed subdivision 1a).
• Creation of a new, tiered license fee structure for small and large watercraft, including several new or adjusted categories (rental/lease, nonprofit safety training, dealer-owned, personal watercraft, and motorized craft under 17 feet).
• Introduction of a broad watercraft license surcharge dedicated to AIS control, public awareness, law enforcement, monitoring, and research, with amounts varying by watercraft type and size.
• Revisions affect Minnesota Statutes 86B.415 (subdivisions 1, 2, and 7 as amended) and repeal subdivision 1a.

Practical Implications

• For some nonmotorized, smaller watercraft (e.g., certain canoes, kayaks, sailboards, paddleboards, paddleboats, rowing shells), the bill removes the license fee, potentially lowering costs for those craft while still contributing to AIS funding via the surcharge on other craft.
• Owners of larger, motorized, or specialty watercraft face new or adjusted license fees, which could increase or reorganize annual costs.
• All licensed watercraft will contribute to AIS efforts through the new surcharge, supporting activities like invasive species control and public education.

Notes on Language and Scope

• The bill references categories such as rental or lease watercraft, nonprofit safety education use, dealer-owned craft, personal watercraft, and various motorized and nonmotorized types.
• The AIS surcharge is described as funding control, public awareness, law enforcement, monitoring, and research related to aquatic invasive species in public waters and wetlands.
• Key AIS species named in the bill include zebra mussel, purple loosestrife, and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Relevant Terms - watercraft license - license fee - watercraft surcharge - nonmotorized watercraft - canoes - kayaks - sailboards - paddleboards - paddleboats - rowing shells - personal watercraft - motorized watercraft - under 17 feet - 19 feet or less - 19–<26 feet - 26–<40 feet - 40 feet or longer - rental or lease - nonprofit corporation - teaching boat and water safety - dealer license / dealer-owned - public waters - public wetlands - aquatic invasive species (AIS) - zebra mussel - purple loosestrife - Eurasian watermilfoil - charter fishing - commercial fishing - enforcement - monitoring - research - repeal - Minnesota Statutes 86B.415