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Marine Board weighs registration-fee options after staff warns of multimillion-dollar shortfall
Summary
Staff presented three fee-and-reduction packages to make up an estimated shortfall; the board gave staff direction to submit an Option 1 proposal for legislative review and to return with final language in April. The agency projected a possible $9.3M deficit for the 2027–29 biennium under current trends.
Christie Hornich, the agency business services manager, gave a comprehensive briefing on the 2027–29 budget process and outlined three options to address declining registration revenue and fuel-tax receipts. Hornich said the agency closed 2023–25 with an estimated beginning balance and that, under central assumptions, the 2027–29 biennium could show a deficit of roughly $9.3 million if no changes are made.
The board reviewed three cost/revenue models: (1) a standard registration increase to $9.75 per foot (about a 64% increase) to preserve current service levels; (2) a $9.00-per-foot increase combined with a temporary 5% reduction to law-enforcement and facilities spending; and (3) a $8.50-per-foot increase paired with 7.5% reductions. After discussion about economic impacts, enforcement consequences and the practicalities of fee rollouts, the board signaled preference for Option 1 as the framework for the April submission. Hornich noted the fee change would take effect Jan. 2028 if enacted and stressed that the package must go through the CFO and governor’s office and the legislature.
