Bill · S. 3985· Senate(119-S-3985)
State Boating Act
- Introduced
- 3/4/2026
- Last activity
- 3/4/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Crapo
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The State Boating Act aims to change how vessel numbers are issued by allowing States more flexibility. It permits States to require the payment of specific boating-related fees as a condition for getting a vessel number. These fees can cover things like search and rescue, safety measures, or dealing with invasive species. Additionally, the bill allows States to collect these fees alongside other existing fees. Finally, it mandates that these collected fees must be used for specific boating-related activities.
Yes
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+5
The bill grants states the authority to mandate and collect specific boating-related fees.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill provides funding for the mitigation of aquatic invasive species.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill reduces federal uniformity by allowing states more autonomy in fee collection for vessel numbering.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Funding for Safety and Environment: States can require fees to fund important services such as search and rescue operations, boating safety measures, or efforts to address aquatic invasive species (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)).
-
Streamlined Fee Collection: A State issuing authority is allowed to collect these boating fees at the same time they collect any other fees established under this section (Section 2, subsection (b)).
-
Protections on Fund Usage: The bill ensures that any fees collected by States are used specifically for activities that improve recreational boating, safety, access, waterway use, or the mitigation of aquatic invasive species (Section 2, subsection (c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- New Financial Requirements: States are given the authority to require the payment of State fees as a specific condition for the issuance of a vessel number (Section 2, 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+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+5Increases Federal Power-2
- 3/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/4/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont