The Boating Advisory Council on Oct. 28 voted to support adding a new state registration tier of $5 for motorized inflatable vessels under 10 feet, a change the Division of Outdoor Recreation said will preserve federal and state matching funds while lowering costs for owners of very small motorized craft.

The fee proposal was presented by Ty Hunter, boating program manager for the Division of Outdoor Recreation, who said the change would add a third tier to the existing statewide fees (current state fees are $20 for most vessels under 16 feet and $40 for vessels 16 feet and greater). Hunter told the council the division expects a $15 per-vessel reduction in revenue compared with the existing $20 state fee for these craft but that the lower state registration is intended to ensure small motorized inflatables are counted in statewide vessel totals used to secure federal grant funds and gas-tax allocations.

The new tier would appear in the division's fee schedule for the 2026 legislative session and, if approved by the Legislature, would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Hunter and staff described the $5 charge as a state registration fee only; county fees and any local AIS or administrative fees would remain separate and continue to apply according to where a vessel is registered. Staff said a 2026 statutory change will split the county "fee in lieu of taxes" so half goes to counties and half to the state boating grant program.

Council members and public commenters said the change responds to constituent concerns that owners of inexpensive inflatable pontoons or electric-trolling-motor craft were paying the same state registration as much larger, titled boats. Several small-boat owners who spoke during the public comment portion described registration paperwork friction and supported a reduced state fee while acknowledging the division's need to maintain federal matching counts.

After public comment and council discussion, George Summers moved to support the proposed fee; John Larson seconded. The council voted in favor; the motion carried and the council transmitted its support of the $5 state registration tier for motorized inflatable vessels under 10 feet to the division for inclusion in the 2026 fee schedule for legislative consideration.

The division noted implementation details remain with the DMV and Legislature; the council's vote was an advisory recommendation only.