COALITION OF CONNECTICUT SPORTSMEN

P.O. Box 2506, Hartford, CT 06146, (203) 245-8076

www.ctsportsmen.com

 

Testimony presented to the Transportation Committee (2/19/02)

 

IN OPPOSITION to H.B. No. 5164 (RAISED) AN ACT REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN VESSELS.

By Robert T. Crook, Director

 

With the deletion of half a sentence, requiring the registration of all vessels less than 19 1/2 feet in length which are not motorboats and all vessels propelled only by oars or paddles, this bill will develop into a major issue and will require changing several statutes. The bill is poorly crafted, incomplete as to affected statutes, and will seriously impact recreational boating. The bill affects Rowboats, Kayaks, Canoes, Sailboats, Rafts (CT River Raft Race), and others. Significant constituent input in Opposition to this bill should be expected.

 

The bill raises numerous questions:

• Since no registration amount is included in the bill, we assume an 18‘ canoe/sailboat would be charged the same as an 18' motorboat ($45) whereas a motorized canoe under the current schedule, same length, is charged $7.50? New non-motorized fees would range from 7.50 - $45.
• All owners/users would have to take a safe boating course and pay the required $25 for the boating certificate. Who will teach these courses? There is no provision for age – How will Boy Scouts get Rowing, Sail and Canoe Merit Badges? How will summer camps conduct boating recreation?
• How will it be enforced, when the current Marine/Inland CO Patrols are understaffed?
• Contiguous States have no non-motorized registration, yet reciprocal Safe Boating Certificates are required to operate in CT. How will that be enforced? 

The bill appears to be another revenue raiser. We question:

• How much would go into the dedicated Boating Fund, which is NOT hurting for revenue. If revenue is needed, shouldn’t it come from the Motorboat Fuel Tax or Interest on Boating Fund Revenue? Better still, from the General Fund?
• How much would DMV require to process these new registrations (Currently receiving approx. 450K for current registrations)?  

In summary: the bill is poorly crafted, negatively impacts a working system, affects financially and time wise many publics, impacts current recreation programs, assures inadequate enforcement, and is not fiscally needed. This concept was addressed by the DEP Boating Advisory Council and tentatively rejected.

 

We urge Rejection