Utah AIS Fee Changes

[dubob]

Yes I'm a Utah resident, I agree everyone who puts a vessel on an infected water should pay, But Pay for what ?

That is just another in a long list of flaws with the Utah AIS Program. Currently there doesn't seem to be any accountability for the funds they have been collecting for the last 5 years. There is an attempt in HB255 to rectify that somewhat, but I'm not at all satisfied that it is specific enough. The specifics are MAYBE left to the Wildlife Board to specify:

. . . the board may make rules establishing procedures for: (a) proof of payment and other methods of verifying compliance with this section; (b) special requirements applicable on interstate water bodies in this state; and (c) other provisions necessary for the administration of the program.

You will notice that it says the Board 'may make rules', NOT 'shall make rules'.

I'm not going to address any of your other comments because I don't see that they are germane to HB255. AIS prevention is an individual responsibility, just like obeying the speed limits while driving on public roads is an individual responsibility. HB255 is lacking any meaningful improvements over the current AIS Program and needs to be defeated. Please consider contacting the sponsor of the bill and your own state representative and ask them to discontinue attempts to get it passed until such time as it includes ALL water vessel owners and does so with a required AIS decal to attached to every water vessel.

 

[dubob]

In the interest of clarity on this issue, I'm informing you that HB255 has been amended once again. The newest changes do not address any of the things I think make it a bad bill. The new changes add a new subsection in the new Utah Code 23-27-304. Aquatic invasive species fee. The new subsection contains the following:

23-27-304, Subsection (4)
(a) The division shall study options and feasibility of implementing an automated system capable of scanning, photographing, and providing real-time information regarding a conveyance's or equipment's:
(i) last entry into a body of water; and
(ii) last decontamination.
(b) The study described in Subsection (4)(a) shall evaluate the system's capability of:
(i) operation with or without the use or supervision of personnel;
(ii) operation 24 hours per day;
(iii) capturing a state assigned number on a vessel or conveyance as described in Section 73-18-6;
(iv) preserving photographic evidence of:
(A) a conveyance's state assigned bow number;
(B) a conveyance's or equipment's entry into a body of water, including the global positioning system location of where the conveyance is photographed; and
(C) decontamination of the conveyance or equipment;
(v) identifying a conveyance or equipment not owned by a resident that is entering a body of water in this state; and
(vi) collecting the fee described in Subsection (1) or (2).
(c) The division shall present a report of the study and findings described in Subsections (4)(a) and (b) to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee before November 30, 2020.
(d) Based on the findings of the study described in this Subsection (4), the division shall implement a pilot program to provide the services described in this Subsection (4) on or before May 1, 2021.

The bill still doesn't address the non-registered water vessels and still doesn't ask for a decal system. Also, there is also a Senate Sponsor, David Hinkins. It wouldn't hurt to contact him along with your own State Senator asking both to vote against this bill.

 

[dubob]

At 3:13 PM on 2/24/2020, HB 255 (Boat Fees Amendments) submitted by Representative Steve Waldrip passed in the House on a vote of Yeas 68, Nays 4, & N/V 3. I can't imagine that the Senate won't follow suit and pass it as well. Well, I tried.

 

[GTH]

I just went to Utah DWR news page, HB 255 has been signed into law and goes into effect on July 1st. There is no mention of where to pay this fee, at least not yet, I guess I'll wait until July 1 before I worry about it.

 

[Squirrel]

Thanks for that update. Sq