All Roll Calls
Yes: 135 • No: 0
UtahS.B. 2002025 General SessionSenateWALLET
Watercraft Amendments
Sponsored By: Daniel McCay (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BoatingProperty TaxRevenue and TaxationMotor VehiclesTransportationVehicle RegistrationUniform FeesDivision of Motor Vehicles
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Lower registration fees for boat owners
The law lowers uniform statewide fees paid when registering personal watercraft and other listed boats. Personal watercraft fees fall from $10/$25/$35/$45/$55 to $5/$13/$18/$23/$28. Those rates cover ages 12-plus, 9–under 12, 6–under 9, 3–under 6, and under 3 years, respectively. Vessels under 15 feet, canoes, jon boats, and utility boats have a $5 fee. Fees also fall for listed collapsible inflatables, pontoons, sailboats, and other vessels under 31 feet.
New annual tax for boat owners
Beginning January 1, 2026, Utah charges an annual Boating Grant Tax on vessels that must be registered, with listed exemptions. Personal watercraft rates are $5, $12, $17, $22, and $27, from oldest to youngest age tier. Those tiers are 12-plus, 9–under 12, 6–under 9, 3–under 6, and under 3 years. Collapsible inflatables, pontoons, and sailboats pay $7/$12/$20/$37 for lengths 15–under 19/19–under 23/23–under 27/27–under 31 feet. Other covered vessels in those length bands pay $12–$75, $25–$137, $50–$200, and $60–$350, respectively, based on age. Vessels under 15 feet, canoes, jon boats, and utility boats pay $5 regardless of age. Exemptions cover government boats used for official duties, ships’ lifeboats, and foreign vessels temporarily using Utah waters. Nonresident boats are exempt with valid home-state registration and no more than 60 days in Utah that calendar year. The law also broadens personal watercraft to include motorboats under 16 feet powered mainly by water jets or other machinery. They must be designed for people to sit, stand, or kneel on them rather than inside; connected water jet devices are included. The Motor Vehicle Division collects the tax for the Utah Boating Grant Account.
Local taxing entities keep boat fees
Counties now send all uniform statewide watercraft fee revenue to local taxing entities, using the same shares as property taxes. Previously, 50% went to those entities and 50% went to the Utah Boating Grant Account. The grant account no longer receives that fee share; the separate boating tax funds it instead. This revenue shift does not itself add a household fee.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel McCay
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Casey Snider
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 73 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/13/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/13/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/7/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/7/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/7/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/7/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ circled
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/25/2025HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/25/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2025HouseHouse/ to standing committee
2/21/2025HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/20/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/20/2025HouseSenate/ to House
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ circled
2/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/13/2025
Substitute #1
2/3/2025
Introduced
1/30/2025