House votes down bill hiking boat registration

If you own a boat, the Utah House voted Wednesday to give you a break.

Rep. Brent Goodfellow's HB225 would have allowed the Division of Parks and Recreation to raise yearly boat registration fees from $10 to as much as $18. But the House voted it down, 30-37.

Goodfellow, D-West Valley, said boat registration fees have not been increased since 1987. If the division had jumped the fees all the way up to $18 (officials could have picked a lower increase), then an extra $600,000 would have gone into a restricted account. The division could only use the new money to help build or restore boat ramps and docks.

The recent drought has lowered water levels in a number of state-owned reservoirs allowing much-needed work to be done, he said. But most legislators voted no. Goodfellow could still bring the bill back before lawmakers adjourn March 2.