Otter and proponents of registering nonmotorized boats have argued that they use some of the same facilities that are supported by fees on powerboats. In addition, all boaters may incur costs to the state through search-and-rescue services.

Forty-five people died in boating-related accidents in Idaho from 2002 to 2007. About half of those involved nonmotorized boating, the state parks department said.

After studying the proposed change in user fees, state Rep. George Sayler, a Democrat and one of the three state lawmakers on the task force, is not convinced.

"I'm more skeptical now than when we started," Sayler said. "I'm not seeing very much of a need."

The task force, he said, is "still taking input" and trying to resolve several complications such as whether owners of multiple nonpowerboats would have to register each craft.

Whether the fees would apply to kayaks and canoes coming in from out of state is also to be determined.

"It could be a burden to administer," Sayler said.