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OregonHB 29822025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to small watercraft.

Sponsored By: Chris Gorsek (Democratic), Ken Helm (Democratic), Mark Owens (Republican), Susan McLain (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher fees for registered and visiting boats

Oregon registration for motorboats and sailboats at least 12 feet long costs $8 plus $5.95 per foot or partial foot. The base fee rises from $5 to $8 every two years; the per-foot charge stays unchanged. The invasive species permit for motorboats and sailboats at least 12 feet long not registered in Oregon rises from $20 to $30 yearly. The Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund receives that permit fee and $8 from each standard registration. Separate $6 registration fees apply to boats assessed by the Department of Revenue and amphibious vehicles licensed by transportation officials. Registration fees replace other taxes and license fees, except the specified revenue-based assessment.

Higher waterway fees for boaters and rentals

Waterway access permits rise from $5 to $6 weekly, $17 to $20 yearly, and $30 to $35 for two years. Annual boat-rental fees rise from $90 to $100 for 6–10 qualifying boats, $165 to $185 for 11–20, and $300 to $340 for 21 or more. This rental schedule covers nonmotorized boats at least 10 feet long and sailboats 10 feet to under 12 feet long. Each weekly, annual, and two-year permit sends $4, $12, and $20, respectively, to the Waterway Access Fund. The remaining $2, $8, and $15 goes to the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund. Across the three rental tiers, those funds receive $60/$40, $110/$75, and $200/$140, respectively.

Boat rental businesses pay higher registration fees

Boat rental operators with five or more boats ready for hire can use an alternative two-year registration fee. It costs $90 plus $13 per boat, up from $90 plus $10 per boat. The $90 base stays unchanged, so operators pay $3 more per boat every two years. The State Marine Board deposits the full $13 per-boat charge into the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund.

Small-boat permit rules and whitewater exemption

Operators age 14 or older must carry a waterway access permit for covered nonmotorized boats or sailboats under 12 feet. They must show proof when a peace officer asks, and can transfer the permit between covered boats. A new exemption covers nonmotorized boats under 10 feet used for board-defined whitewater recreation on waters the State Marine Board identifies. Other exemptions cover free boating days, rentals with proof of an operator permit, and federally designated wild and scenic rivers with separate fees. Exemptions also cover official agency or public safety work, bordering-state residents launching from those states, and board-accepted non-Oregon permits. Members of federally recognized tribes are exempt for tribal fishing or ceremonies, and the board can adopt more exemptions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Chris Gorsek

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ken Helm

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Owens

    Republican • House

  • Susan McLain

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Annessa Hartman

    Democratic • House

  • Bobby Levy

    Republican • House

  • Farrah Chaichi

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Golden

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jules Walters

    Democratic • House

  • Lew Frederick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Gamba

    Democratic • House

  • Tom Andersen

    Democratic • House

  • Wlnsvey Campos

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 91 • No: 20

Senate vote • 6/12/2025

Third reading. Carried by Anderson, Frederick. Passed.

Yes: 19 • No: 9

House vote • 5/22/2025

Third reading. Carried by Helm. Passed.

Yes: 47 • No: 6

legislature vote • 5/16/2025

Ways and Means: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 16 • No: 5

House vote • 3/19/2025

Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 381, (2025 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2026.

    7/25/2025House

  2. Governor signed.

    6/24/2025House

  3. President signed.

    6/16/2025Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    6/13/2025House

  5. Third reading. Carried by Anderson, Frederick. Passed.

    6/12/2025Senate

  6. Carried over to 06-12 by unanimous consent.

    6/11/2025Senate

  7. Carried over to 06-11 by unanimous consent.

    6/10/2025Senate

  8. Carried over to 06-10 by unanimous consent.

    6/9/2025Senate

  9. Carried over to 06-09 by unanimous consent.

    6/5/2025Senate

  10. Carried over to 06-05 by unanimous consent.

    6/4/2025Senate

  11. Carried over to 06-04 by unanimous consent.

    6/3/2025Senate

  12. Carried over to 06-03 by unanimous consent.

    6/2/2025Senate

  13. Second reading.

    5/29/2025Senate

  14. Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

    5/29/2025Senate

  15. Referred to Ways and Means.

    5/27/2025Senate

  16. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

    5/27/2025Senate

  17. Third reading. Carried by Helm. Passed.

    5/22/2025House

  18. Second reading.

    5/21/2025House

  19. Recommendation: Do pass.

    5/20/2025House

  20. Work Session held.

    5/16/2025House

  21. Returned to Full Committee.

    5/7/2025House

  22. Work Session held.

    5/7/2025House

  23. Assigned to Subcommittee On Natural Resources.

    4/30/2025House

  24. Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker.

    3/24/2025House

  25. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means.

    3/24/2025House

Bill Text

  • HALNRW Amendment -5 (Adopted)

    3/19/2025

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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