HF 155 (LSB 1459HV (1) 85)

HOUSE FILE 155

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 68)

A BILL FOR

An Act extending a provision relating to the use of certain increases in watercraft registration fees by the natural resource commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 462A.52, subsections 2 and 3, Code 2013, are amended to read as follows:
   2.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, any increase in revenues received on or after July 1, 2007, but on or before June 30, 2013
 
2023, pursuant to this section as a result of fee increases pursuant to 2005 Iowa Acts, ch. 137, shall be used by the commission only for the administration and enforcement of programs to control aquatic invasive species and for the administration and enforcement of navigation laws and water safety upon the inland waters of this state and shall be used in addition to funds already being expended by the commission each year for these purposes. The commission shall not reduce the amount of other funds being expended on an annual basis for these purposes as of July 1, 2005, during the period of the appropriation provided for in this subsection.
   3.  The commission shall submit a written report to the general assembly by December 31, 2007, and by December 31 of each year thereafter through December 31, 2013
 
2023, summarizing the activities of the department in administering and enforcing programs to control aquatic invasive species and administering and enforcing navigation laws and water safety upon the inland waters of the state. The report shall include information concerning the amount of revenues collected pursuant to this section as a result of fee increases pursuant to 2005 Iowa Acts, ch. 137, and how the revenues were expended. The report shall also include information concerning the amount and source of all other funds expended by the commission during the year for the purposes of administering and enforcing programs to control aquatic invasive species and administering and enforcing navigation laws and water safety upon the inland waters of the state and how the funds were expended.
EXPLANATION
   This bill extends the designation of certain increases in registration fees for watercraft for use by the natural resource commission for an additional 10 years.
   In 2005, registration fees for watercraft were raised, and the increase in revenues received on or after July 1, 2007, but on or before June 30, 2013, was designated for use by the natural resource commission only for the administration and enforcement of programs to control aquatic invasive species and for the administration and enforcement of navigation laws and water safety upon the inland waters of this state. These funds were to be used in addition to funds already being expended by the commission each year for those purposes and the commission was prohibited from reducing the amount of other funds being expended for those purposes as of July 1, 2005. The commission was also required to submit an annual report to the general assembly each year summarizing the activities of the department of natural resources in carrying out those purposes. 
   The bill provides that this provision will sunset in 2023 instead of 2013.