Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxation Boat Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utah Senate passes bill to revise boat and small-RV fees, orders county refunds
Summary
The Senate approved House Bill 5001 to change how uniform fees are assessed on small boats and certain recreational vehicles, lower fees for several craft types and require counties to notify owners and issue refunds for overpayments; final passage was 26-0 with three absent.
The Utah Senate voted to pass House Bill 5001, a measure that revises uniform fees on boats and certain small recreational vehicles and requires counties to refund overpayments, the chamber announced after a roll-call vote that resulted in 26 yes, 0 no and 3 absent.
Senator Stevenson, who moved to advance the bill for immediate consideration and spoke at length about its provisions, said the bill changes boat classifications so fees are assessed by type rather than solely by length and age. "A very simple, rubber dinghy was being taxed, in a similar fashion to a very expensive, motorboat," Stevenson said, arguing that the measure corrects inequitable taxation and simplifies annual assessments.
The bill, as described on the floor, lowers uniform fees for specific categories including canoes, john boats and utility boats to $10 for boats under 15 feet regardless of age, and sets fees between $15 and $75 for inflatable boats, pontoons that are not houseboats, and sailboats. Other boat fees remain unchanged. Stevenson said the bill requires counties to issue refunds to owners who paid a higher uniform fee in 2006 than would be owed under the new schedule and to send notices to all boat and RV owners alerting them to a possible refund. The bill also establishes procedures for owners to amend registration information and to file for refunds.
Senator Bramble noted the measure had unanimous support in the interim Revenue and Taxation Committee and urged prompt passage to avoid another calendar year in which excessive fees might apply.
On the roll call, the presiding officer announced that House Bill 5001 had passed and directed that it be signed in open session and returned to the Speaker for enrollment. The reading on the floor referenced an effective date printed in the bill text (noted in the reading as Dec. 30, 2000).
The Senate additionally received communications that the House had passed Senate Bill 5001 (a four-member congressional redistricting plan) and Senate Bill 5002 (mechanics lien payment amendments). Both measures were transmitted to the president for signature.
The chamber spent the remainder of the day on personal-privilege remarks and farewell comments from departing members, appointed committees to notify the governor and the House, and then adjourned.
