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Panel split on permit-and-fee plan for seasonal floating platforms; proposes further review to full committee
Summary
Lawmakers debated House Bill 1477, which would require permits and fees for anchored seasonal floating platforms on public waters with revenue directed to cyanobacteria mitigation and navigation safety. Supporters cited public-safety and fund needs; opponents warned the fee program may be administratively costly. Committee issued a split recommendation to bring the bill to full Finance.
The Finance Division I split on House Bill 1477, a proposal to permit and fee anchored seasonal floating platforms (large inflatables, trampolines, slides) on public waters and dedicate a share of the fee revenue to cyanobacteria mitigation and navigation safety.
Sponsor Representative McDonald said the bill mirrors existing mooring and decal programs on some lakes and would create a user-fee to support mitigation of toxic cyanobacteria blooms and marine-safety enforcement. “The lakes belong to everybody,” he said, adding that a modest fee is reasonable to fund mitigation and safety costs.
Tim Dunlevy, captain of the State Police Marine Patrol, testified that extending a permit/decal system statewide would create an unknown initial workload (processing and mailing decals, verifying waterfront frontage and legal access) and that the department had budgeted for two positions to start. Amy Spagula, chief aquatic biologist at the Department of Environmental Services, said the cyanobacteria mitigation fund has been largely one-time federal and legislative infusions and that dozens of water bodies remain untreated.
Opponents cautioned that the program’s $50 fee might not cover start-up administrative costs and that enforcement would require additional time and staff on busy lakes. Supporters said revenue estimates (the bill’s fiscal documents project several hundred thousand dollars annually) would replenish mitigation funds and support navigation enforcement without general-fund impact.
The committee’s votes produced no clear consensus in committee: the recommendation going to the full Finance committee was split, with sponsors and some members urging full-committee consideration and others urging additional study and higher fees to cover administration.
What happens next: HB1477 will be presented to the full Finance Committee for further debate and potential amendment.
