State Boating Act

This legislation amends Section 12307 of title 46, United States Code, to grant states new authority regarding vessel numbering fees. It specifically allows state issuing authorities to require the payment of state fees related to boating as a condition for issuing a vessel number. These state fees may include charges for search and rescue operations, boating safety measures, or efforts to combat aquatic invasive species. States are also authorized to collect these new fees in conjunction with other established vessel numbering fees . Crucially, the bill mandates that all fees collected under this authority must be used exclusively to fund activities directly related to improving recreational boating, boater safety, boater access, and mitigating aquatic invasive species .