HF 2429 (LSB 6011YH (1) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2429

BY  MOMMSEN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to vessel registration exemptions, including paddlecraft and water use permit decals, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 462A.2, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  26A.  “Paddlecraft” means any human-powered vessel including canoes, kayaks, and any hybrids thereof, or any vessel for which a paddle is the primary mode of propulsion.
    Sec. 2.  Section 462A.5, subsection 3, paragraph a, subparagraph (1), Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  For vessels of any length without motor or sail, excluding paddlecraft, twelve twenty dollars.
    Sec. 3.  Section 462A.6, subsection 7, paragraph b, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Conventional design canoes and kayak type vessels, thirteen feet or less in length Paddlecraft.
    Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  462A.6B  Water use permit decals —— providing penalties.
   A paddlecraft using the waters of this state that are under the jurisdiction of the commission, operated outside a designated swimming area, shall display on the external front half of the vessel a water use permit decal. Any registered paddlecraft with proper registration displayed is exempt from displaying the water use permit decal. The water use permit decal shall cost seven dollars plus any applicable administrative fees and authorized agent writing fees. The water use permit decal shall only be sold and issued by a county recorder or a licensed agent designated by the director pursuant to section 483A.11. The annual water use permit decal shall be valid from January 1 through December 31 of the same calendar year. Moneys from the purchase of water use permit decals shall be deposited in the state fish and game protection fund created in section 456A.17 and shall be used for water trail development and management, enforcing navigation laws, and promoting water safety. The department may promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section. A person violating this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation pursuant to section 805.8B, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.
    Sec. 5.  Section 805.8B, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  For violations of registration, inspections, identification, and record provisions under sections 462A.5, 462A.6B, 462A.35, and 462A.37, and for unused or improper or defective lights and warning devices under section 462A.9, subsections 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10, the scheduled fine is twenty dollars.
    Sec. 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2025.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to vessel registration exemptions, including paddlecraft and water use permit decals.
   The bill defines “paddlecraft” as a human-powered vessel for which a paddle is the primary mode of propulsion, and includes canoes and kayaks. The owner of a paddlecraft is required to register the vessel with the natural resources commission (commission). Under the bill, a paddlecraft is exempt from the registration requirements pursuant to Code section 462A.5.
   The bill requires paddlecraft to display a water use permit decal (permit) on the vessel to utilize waters under the commission’s jurisdiction. A person may purchase a permit for $7 from a county recorder or a licensed agent designated by the director of the department of natural resources. The permit is valid from January 1 through December 31 of the same calendar year. The moneys collected from the sale of permits shall be deposited in the state fish and game protection fund to be utilized for water trail development and management, enforcing navigation laws, and promoting water safety. A person who fails to properly apply a permit decal to a qualifying paddlecraft shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled fine of $20 per violation.
   The bill takes effect January 1, 2025.