Bill · H.R. 8550· House(119-HR-8550)
To allow States to require payment of State fees related to boating as a condition for issuance of a vessel number and to collect such fees in conjunction with other fees related to vessel numbering.
- Introduced
- 4/28/2026
- Last activity
- 4/28/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Sponsored by
- Jennifer Kiggans
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to title 46 of the United States Code. It aims to allow States to require the payment of specific State fees as a condition for issuing a vessel number. These fees may cover areas such as search and rescue, boating safety, or aquatic invasive species. The bill also allows State issuing authorities to collect these fees alongside other existing fees. Finally, it restricts how these collected fees can be used.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill allows states to collect fees specifically to address aquatic invasive species.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
The bill facilitates state-level funding for waterway use and safety which can benefit rural recreational boating areas.
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+3
The bill enables funding for improved boater access and the use of waterways.
The opposite
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-2
The bill mandates new state fees as a condition for issuing vessel numbers, which adds a financial burden to boat owners.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Funding for Safety and Environment: States would have the authority to require fees that fund search and rescue operations, boating safety measures, or efforts to address aquatic invasive species (Section 1, subsection (a)(3)).
-
Streamlined Collection: State issuing authorities can collect these specific boating fees at the same time they collect any other established fees (Section 1, subsection (b)).
-
Protected Use of Funds: The bill ensures that any fees collected under this authority can only be used for specific purposes like improving recreational boating, safety, access, waterway use, and addressing aquatic invasive species (Section 1, subsection (c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- New Financial Requirements: The bill allows States to require the payment of fees as a condition for the issuance of a vessel number (Section 1, subsection (a)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Public Transit+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Low Income Households-2
- 4/28/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Blake MooreRepublican · Utah