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Senate backs $10 boat fee to fund response to quagga mussel threat
Summary
Substitute Senate Bill 89 would add a $10 boat registration fee to fund Department of Natural Resources monitoring and mitigation against quagga mussels. Sponsors warned the infestation could cause widespread infrastructure and economic damage if it reaches key reservoirs; the measure passed the Senate and will move on for further consideration.
Senator Jenkins urged the Senate to support substitute SB89, which places a $10 fee on boat registrations to fund monitoring, decontamination and other mitigation work to fight the spread of quagga mussels. Jenkins warned the infestation could inflict large costs if it spreads: "It could cost us tens of millions of dollars, if not hundreds of millions of dollars before it's over," he said.
The sponsor said DNR needs about $700,000 to run a program to monitor, clean and prevent spread and that state and local partners have also contributed funding in some places. A senator noted the program is supported in part by state money and by conservancy districts; the sponsor said the fee revenue would be dedicated to DNR for this program. The Senate read the bill for the third time and the clerk announced the roll call tally showed 27 yay votes, 0 nay, 2 absent.
