From Sen. Nancy Jacobs:
Recreational boaters fill the beautiful waterways lining our state. Workboats bring in the crabs and oysters for which Maryland is famous. Annapolis is the sailing capitol of the world. But from Annapolis comes news that those who own a boat face paying a huge jump in licensing fees.
Currently, boaters pay $24 every two years for a license. Now, the fees will be based on boat size with most licenses costing five times more, about $125. Bigger boats could pay up to $700 more for two years.
The Department of Natural Resources explains it needs the higher fees because the Army Corps of Engineers will no longer pay to dredge a number of waterways. That is a critical task because boaters don’t want to be silted in and wait till high tide to get their boats out. The other reason for the hike is funds that used to come to DNR from boat sales have dropped by half due to the tough economy.
The proposed boat license fees will put us higher than Virginia where a three year registration at most is $45. In Delaware the highest fee for big boats is $60 a year.
It’s important to worry that this could put Maryland’s at a regional disadvantage and subject the boating industry to another economic hit.
There may be a false perception that boat owners in our state can easily afford a fee hike. But I think the majority of them are not well heeled and prioritize their spending to keep their love of boating alive.
Dredging and other waterway maintenance must be done. But it’s critical to point out that Governor O’Malley has raided the Waterway Improvement Fund, where boat license fees go in the past. Over $1 million dollars has been taken for other purposes. It’s hard to convince boaters to accept the giant fee hike when that happened and could happen again. Not to mention, boaters pay the gas tax at the dock but that money goes to fixing roads, not waterway improvements.
Also, a recent state audit of the Department of Natural Resources found careless stewardship of taxpayer funds. An employee credit card had questionable charges topping $71,000. A 1.7 million dollar account wasn’t analyzed and DNR lost $30,000 in interest by missing a federal deadline.
The Administration must do a better job of managing the public money before it comes begging for more.
Unless you are a working fisherman, who is engaged in the business of commercial fishing, your fees to register a boat should be raised. “Currently, boaters pay $24 every two years for a license. Now, the fees will be based on boat size with most licenses costing five times more, about $125. Bigger boats could pay up to $700 more for two years.”
I pay far more to register my automobile than the amount currently charged to register a pleasure boat. Pleasure boat ownership is a luxury. Raising the registration fees to a reasonable amount, on par with other states, will not hurt any industry. If the new registration amount is based per foot, then those with larger boats will pay more. Get over it and accept it as the price of doing business.
Why are our elected officials wasting time on these types of issues? Nancy, focus on attracting businesses to MD to create more jobs!!!!
This will have an impact on business. There are hundreds of marinas in the state, most of the small business, mom amd pop. The sale of gear, equipment, fishing and crabbing supplies, will all be impacted.
Not to worry. With the dems raising the price of gas no one will be able to afford to use a boat let alone own one.
I agree Hydesmann, gas prices will trump any fee they raise. The Dems haven’t a fee that is ready to be raised. Didn’t Nancy vote for the flush tax?
I agree with the poster abovve. Charging recreational boaters a few more dollars a year (not a drastic increase from $24/2 years to $125 for 1 year) perhaps as much as a $40 annual fee is not a big deal. Pleasure boat owners are not going to revolt and take their boats out of the water. They may complain much as everyone did when auto registrations went up in price. Bottom line, mom and pop marinas will still have plenty of boats to fill the slips. This is just a pay as you go user fee. If you don’t own a boat, you don’t pay. Did you all survive when the tax on alcoholic beverages was increased? Yup. You still buy your Natty Boh or Belgian Ales anyway. If you don’t drink it didn’t affect you.
I would rather see user fees for stuff such as this instead of Gov ‘O raise the gas tax as much as he proposed.
Peace & Love to all.
I’d rather see no new taxes but only cuts. IT’s funny you don’t want a gas tax because that would affect you. You attitude is typical: “I’m ok with new taxes; as long as they don’t effect me.”
Brian,
its all about reading comprehension. You wrote “You attitude is typical: “I’m ok with new taxes; as long as they don’t effect me.” I never said those words, that is your interpretation, which is not accurate. As stated, I said I would rather see user fees for stuff such as this instead of Gov ‘O raise the gas tax as much as he proposed. I realize the price of everything is going up, including taxes. While I don’t own a boat, I think a reasonable user fee or tax increase on boat registration is reasonable. That is the key word, reasonable. Yes, I prefer the state to collect more money from pleasure boat owners than hammering everyone else with a huge gas tax. Stop whining.
A gas tax is a “User Tax.” You don’t want it increased anymore because it effects you just like the boat fee will effect me…
to continue: The main problem is, once they get their hand in your wallet, they keep taking more and more. All levels of Government need to cut some out before taxing any more. Examples of things to cut: lower payments on entitlement programs, Do not pay unemployment for years, it’s meant for a couple of months. Simply cut a small percentage, maybe a few points from ALL government budgets, they’ll figure out how to deal with.
Oh, I see new taxes are OK, as long a my ox is not getting gored.
The most popular size boat (24 to 31 foot) will experiance an increase of 941%. If it comes in lower the Dems will cry about having revenue cut.
The fact of the matter is that the budget has increased over 1 Billion ($1,000,0000,000) each year since Mr. O’Malley took office. Remember 2007? The biggest tax increase in the states history that was to take care of the problems.
Unfortunately, Mr. O’Malley is like a crack addict, always needing more and more.
Seriously,
Some of you folks are upset because why, you think pleasure boat registrations should stay at the equivalent of $12 per year? Are you serious? That is so cheap it is silly to fight a small, reasonable increase say perhaps to $24 per year or on par with other states in the area.
Overall, I do agree that our State Gov’t needs to cut spending first, before raising taxes.
I have to agree with Qualified. This is going to be another dagger in the wallets of local marinas. Sorry Hydesmann, the Dems nor the Reps are raising oil prices, the oil companies are. You are right though. Gass prices are going to kill boating. $12 a year is not a lot of money so I don’t have a big problem with an increase in the fee, nor do I have a problem with charging by the foot, but such a huge increase is way out of line. Especially when they use the money for things other then boating.
This is interesting. I am glad we all seem to be unhappy with more taxes. However, it is apparent that somee taxes will go up in MD unless our legislators put the kibosh on them all. That said, we just survived an alcohol tax increase and are still buying beverages at take out stores and bars. Some of what you guys argue is true: its cheaper to register a boat than a car; and those who can afford pleasure boats are going to have to pay more for registration next year. I do agree that the user fee or tax on boaters must be “reasonable,” and not 2x or 3x the current amount. The massive proposed gas tax will do more harm to many industries than just family run marinas.
As a sail boat owner, I realize that boat registrations are one of the cheapest fees in the state today. I expect sail boats will be subject to an increase in fees too. Raising the fee to register a boat by $20 per year or so will not deter me from enjoying my time on the water. I will still be staying at local marinas and anchoring in the numerous creeks of the Chesapeake. As my neighbor says, not everyone can afford a boat, you use it for recreation, not work. I don’t like the Gov’s tax and spend attitude but I accept paying my share if it is fair
While we are at it, what about the fees to register machineguns in MD. I hear it costs $10 to have the police conduct a background check so you can lawfully own these. The time and paperwork processed by law enforcement officers involved definitely cost more than $10. This is the best bargain in the state. Why not make it $50 to register them. What about adding a tax to ammunition since it contributes to litter and polution?