OSMB Introduces Two Bills Affecting Paddlers
January 30, 2017
The Oregon State Marine Board is bringing before the Legislature two bills that will impact non-motorized boats. There seems to be some confusion in the wording of the bills, so let me clarify the wording before you read the bills. The bills use the terms non-motorized craft and non-motorized boat. A non-motorized craft is defined as basically a pool toy. It includes inflatable rings, air mattresses, inner tubes, pool noodles, and the like. Non-motorized boats are canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, drift boats, rowboats, and any other vessel powered by oar or paddle. I have listed some of the key points of each bill below:
HB 2320
This bill:
establishes a non-motorized boating program and dedicates funds for grants to assist public agencies with purchasing, construction, renovation, expansion, and development of non-motorized boating facilities,
funds contracts for marine patrols in areas with significant non-motorized boat activity,
helps fund the removal of dangerous obstacles that pose a hazard to navigation,
sets a minimum standard for voluntary boating safety courses, and
requires the use of a personal flotation device (PFD) by all who use a non-motorized craft on a river or stream.
HB 2320 proposes the following fees for paddlers 14 years of age and older:
$5 for a weekly permit ($4 for non-motorized boating fund, $1 for the AIS fund)
$17 for an annual permit ($12 for non-motorized boating fund, $5 for the AIS fund)
$30 for a two-year permit ($20 for non-motorized boating fund, $10 for the AIS fund)
A reduced rate fee will be applied to liveries (Alder Creek, Next Adventure, Portland Kayak Company, Tualatin Riverkeepers, Willamette Riverkeepers, and other such businesses).
HB 2321
This bill expands upon the Aquatic Invasive Species Program (AISP) by eliminating the 10-foot exemption on all non-motorized boats. Now users of all non-motorized boats regardless of size will be required to carry on them AIS permit. The permits are assigned to the user and not the boat, so they’re transferable from boat to boat.
Click on the individual links below to read the bill in its entirety.
