Mid Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay - Registration fees are on the line in MD

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2012/02/16-31/State-proposes-hiking-boat-fees.html

Good post. Here are the details:

Vessels under 16 feet in length $ $50
Vessels 16 feet to less than 32 feet in length $125.
Vessels 32 feet to less than 45 feet in length $250.
Vessels 45 feet to 65 feet in length $500.
Vessels greater than 65 feet in length $700.

That's quite an increase from the $24 for 2-years we're all used to.

Here's the actual bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/hb/hb1307f.pdf

Use the below link to let the committee know that fees like this aren't warranted and will do nothing but drive boat owners to leave Maryland and keep there boats elsewhere, or get out of boating altogether. And if that happens, Maryland is going to loose a heck of a lot of "revenue" from the recreational marine-related businesses that will fail.

http://actionmail.ksconline.net/index.php?id=21 (shift-click all the members to include them in your e-mail)

How sad this state has become.

Good post. Here are the details:

Vessels under 16 feet in length $ $50
Vessels 16 feet to less than 32 feet in length $125.
Vessels 32 feet to less than 45 feet in length $250.
Vessels 45 feet to 65 feet in length $500.
Vessels greater than 65 feet in length $700.

That's quite an increase from the $24 for 2-years we're all used to. We can all thank this DORK, Colonel George F. Johnson IV:

http://dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/images/johnson.jpg

I guess he wants a raise after he's finished going down on his butt-buddy, Marty Owe-Malley. I'm completely disgusted.

Here's the actual bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/hb/hb1307f.pdf

Use the below link to let the committee know that fees like this aren't warranted and will do nothing but drive boat owners to leave Maryland and keep there boats elsewhere, or get out of boating altogether. And if that happens, Maryland is going to loose a heck of a lot of "revenue" from the recreational marine-related businesses that will fail.

http://actionmail.ksconline.net/index.php?id=21 (shift-click all the members to include them in your e-mail)

How sad this state has become.

This rise in fees is needed for maintenance of channels, and to maintain buoys/ channels markers in the state. There are 180,000 rec vessels in Maryland that use these channels and rely on a marker system.

It does add sail boats over 16' to the list of vessels that must pay the fee.

How about just double the fee to $48. That i can live with.

If this passes I will do everything I can to find a way to register my boat in another state.

Really? When's the last time you saw DNR working on markers or dredging? That's not what they do. And even if it was, a 3,000% increase in fees cannot be justified:

The Maryland Natural Resources Police serves as a public safety agency with statewide authority to enforce conservation, boating and criminal laws; as well as to provide primary law enforcement services for Marylands state parks, state forests and public lands owned and managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The agency is also responsible for maritime and rural search and rescue, homeland security and in all of its operations and activities strives to provide superior service to all of Marylands citizens and visitors who enjoy the states natural resources.

How about just double the fee to $48. That i can live with.

If this passes I will do everything I can to find a way to register my boat in another state.

Or even triple but mine would be almost 10 times what I just paid. Let everybody get GPS units to see where the channels are at.:mad:

Upon further review of the bill, it's not just registration fees that are going up by as much as 3,000%, but also every other fee like duplicate stickers, title registration, etc. This is a HUGE money-grab that if passed will certainly destroy what's left of the recreational boating industry in Maryland.

This will do wonders for the watermen who are barely surviving as it is.

The excessive taxation coming out of MD these days would have made King George blush. I guess they're not gonna be happy until they have effectively driven half of the states population to move elsewhere.

The excessive taxation coming out of MD these days would have made King George blush. I guess they're not gonna be happy until they have effectively driven half of the states population to move elsewhere.

Their are working on it!:grin:

Last year I could go out on a weekday and never even see another boat in sight. If rising fuel prices and talk of a fuel "sales tax" wasn't enough this rate increase will be the final nail in the coffin for a lot of boaters. We have probably the greatest bay in North America for boating and the state government is going to shut it down, along with everybody who depend on it for an income.

The excessive taxation coming out of MD these days would have made King George blush. I guess they're not gonna be happy until they have effectively driven half of the states population to move elsewhere.
Once all us tax payers leave who will support all the illeagals that he hands money to.

You guys know the story about the millionaires tax in md?

Yep:now he is working on the thousand aires.;)

U got that right!

Last year I could go out on a weekday and never even see another boat in sight. If rising fuel prices and talk of a fuel "sales tax" wasn't enough this rate increase will be the final nail in the coffin for a lot of boaters. We have probably the greatest bay in North America for boating and the state government is going to shut it down, along with everybody who depend on it for an income.
Yeah, fortunately i live not far across the state line, so i can just make a short run over to boat and fish the Chessie without having to pay all of their rediculous taxes.

You guys know the story about the millionaires tax in md?
Yep, you would think they would finally figure it out, but they never seem to...................amazing.

Politicians aren't very bright. I've been to a few hearings in Annapolis. The stupidity around the tables is quite amazing. If they could make money in the private sector, they wouldn't be politicians. Sadly, there's only a few decent folks that want to run for office (and I can't blame anyone for not wanting to).

Let me remember how this works.

Administration puts out a press release that the boat registration fees with go up 1000%.

Put out another release what the increased fees will pay for.

Have a couple of public meetings on the subject.

Lobby hard in the legislature.

Put out the word that the Administration will settle for a 400% increase.

Legislators can claim they won. Boaters are happy it wasn't 1000%.

Done deal. 400% is what the administration wanted all alone.

Maybe this increase will help pay for the Gay Marriage Act OweMalley is working on

Maybe this increase will help pay for the Gay Marriage Act OweMalley is working on

It's a done deal!!.:mad:

Might not be so bad if we were allowed to get a refund on the ROAD TAX that we have to pay for gasoline used on the water.

What a bunch of f'in thieves!!!!

I have four kayaks too!

(A) THE OWNER OF A VESSEL WITHOUT PROPULSION MACHINERY USED 18 PRINCIPALLY ON THE WATERS OF THE STATE AND NOT SUBJECT TO THE 19 REQUIREMENTS OF § 8–712 OR § 8–712.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY APPLY TO THE 20 DEPARTMENT FOR A NONMOTORIZED VESSEL DECAL ON A FORM APPROVED BY 21 THE DEPARTMENT. 22
(B) THE NONMOTORIZED VESSEL DECAL ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION 23 SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 2 YEARS AND SHALL EXPIRE ON 24 DECEMBER 31 OF THE CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE YEAR THE DECAL WAS 25 ISSUED. 26
(C) THE BIENNIAL FEE FOR A NONMOTORIZED VESSEL DECAL IS $12. 27
(D) THE NONMOTORIZED VESSEL DECAL SHALL BE DISPLAYED ON THE 28 EXTERIOR OF THE VESSEL. 29

say it ain't so....

So last year their was a ton more boats that sat on blocks and never even saw the water because of gas prices,econ, ect and now their trying to charge us 125 for a 16ft+ boat just for registration........
Lets see 2 boats over 16 and a jetski= 300:o
Sad part is that you will still see me on the water.;cool;

Owe'Malley is just making sure that all of those fat cat boaters pay their fair share. Actually, I think he is trying to prove to the liberal establishment that he has a future in politics beyond the end of his current term as gubner, by being heavy handed with taxes, supporting ever increasing state spending, creating a sanctuary for our "New Americans", wind power, gay marriage, supporting California emissions for cars, anti second ammendment, etc. It costs the working man alot to support a nanny state.

Just read about this in the Salisbury Times.
I was born and raised on the Eastern Shore. My ancestors settled along the present MD, VA border in 1719. It hurts to post this.
Retirement is within 10 years, we were planning on moving back and watching sunsets over the Tangier Sound, not now.
I understand fees rise but this is the final nail in the coffin. TOP 5 in the nation for taxation, 5% excise on boats, I'm done!!! When the flush tax was enacted a few years ago was when I first realized I may not be going home!
Anyone interested in property near Ape's Hole?

You'll still see me on the water too. What will really suck is if they collect the fees and earmark them for public boating expenses (dredging, ramps, etc)... but then they get robbed by the general fund for something else and those boating services are not funded.

I saw this and thought it was another Vanstallin troll post.

You'll still see me on the water too. What will really suck is if they collect the fees and earmark them for public boating expenses (dredging, ramps, etc)... but then they get robbed by the general fund for something else and those boating services are not funded.

That happened to the transportation fund, the open space fund (transfer taxes paid when real estate is sold), and it will happen here too. :bashhh:

That happened to the transportation fund, the open space fund (transfer taxes paid when real estate is sold), and it will happen here too. :bashhh:

I'm expexting the same. You think those toll increases went to bridge maintenance? WRONG!

The Omally administration is a snapshot of the Obama administration when he had both
both houses.:(

This is only the tip of the iceberg folks! This man (O'malley) has asspirations of running for President,,, scarey...

I got an email from Boat US about Owemallet wanting to have a luxury tax on boats now.

March 8, 2012

Dear Maryland BoatU.S. Member:

A tax proposal has surfaced in Annapolis that could have a significant impact on your boating. House Bill 1345 will impose a luxury tax on the sale of new and used boats with a price tag over $35,000. The tax would be 1% on the amount of the sale above $35,000 and 2% of the amount over $90,000. This luxury tax will be in addition to the 5% sales tax already paid on boat sales. (For example, the taxes on a $50,000 boat would be $2,500 sales tax plus $150 luxury tax; on a $100,000 boat would be $5,000, plus $750 luxury tax.)

We urge you to contact your legislators to express your views on this proposal. Some important points to consider:
• The federal luxury tax on boats imposed in 1991 and repealed in 1993 cost thousands of marine manufacturing jobs nationwide while raising an insignificant amount of revenue.
• The marine industry employs 35,000 Marylanders.
• The number of boats registered in Maryland is decreasing, going from 205,000 in 2007 to 193,000 in 2010. This tax could accelerate that decline.
You may recall we recently contacted you regarding a Maryland bill to increase boat registration fees. Coupled with this luxury tax proposal, boaters are being asked to bear significant new costs to boat in Maryland.

From the Bill:
(2) FOR THE SALE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, MOTORCYCLE, BOAT, OR PLANE:
(I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ITEM (II) OF THIS ITEM, 1% OF THE AMOUNT BY WHICH THE TAXABLE PRICE OF THE ITEM EXCEEDS $35,000;
AND
(II) IF THE TAXABLE PRICE OF THE ITEM EXCEEDS $90,000, $550 PLUS 2% OF THE AMOUNT BY WHICH THE TAXABLE PRICE OF THE ITEM 32 EXCEEDS $90,000.

Bill location:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/hb/hb1345f.pdf

That dumb ass ran a lot of millionaires out of the state with his millionaire tax.now he is working on the rest of us

Sounds like what we have up here is Taxachusetts. Keep him down there, we have enough libtards up here.

When he was the Mayor of Baltimore $58 million disappeared from the school system and was never found.I would like to see him find that first before ant taxes were raised.;?

http://essex.patch.com/articles/state-dnr-proposes-smaller-boating-fee-hike

I just wrote an e-mail in opposition to this bill. One response I received explains many of the problem in Annapolis: too many politicians are idiots:

On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 11:25 AM, Niemann, Doyle Delegate <[email protected]> wrote:

Since the Corps of Army Engineers has stopped dredging, unless we come up with money to do what they no longer do, no one will be able to use their boat.

Del. Doyle Niemann
Maryland House of Delegates
240-606-1298
[email protected]

Since the Corps of Army Engineers has stopped dredging, unless we come up with money to do what they no longer do, no one will be able to use their boat.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Just don't know when to quit, do they?
http://www.wboc.com/story/17163814/md-senate-expected-to-vote-on-budget-legislation

I just wrote an e-mail in opposition to this bill. One response I received explains many of the problem in Annapolis: too many politicians are idiots:

There is the problem TOO MANY POLITICIANS! I was watching the proceedings in Annapolis and was wondering just how much all these clueless politicians were costing us taxpayers. We should be able to cut their salary everytime they raise our taxes. For every 1 percent they raise or create a tax, their salary gets cut twice that amount. I bet then they could balance the budget.

Plan calls for smaller hike in Maryland boater fees

Posted on 14 March 2012


The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will propose amendments to House Bill 1307 to substantially reduce the proposed cost of registering a boat in Maryland, the department announced. The department introduced the legislation to address the state’s boating infrastructure needs. The original proposal would have replaced the flat $24 boat registration fee paid every two years with fees ranging from $50 to $700, depending on the size of the boat.
Under the proposed changes, it would cost $25 every two years to register boats under 16 feet in Maryland. It would cost $50 every two years to register boats of 16 to less than 21 feet; $75 every two years to register boats of 21 to less than 32 feet; $100 every two years to register boats of 32 to less than 45 feet; $200 every two years to register boats of 45 to 65 feet; and $300 every two years to register boats of more than 65 feet.
The bill also includes a voluntary non-motorized decal for boats such as kayaks and canoes for $12 every two years. The proposal eliminates the second tier of phased-in registration increases, which means the new costs would start in 2013.
In addition, amendments would increase the one-time boat title price to $35, as well as some other costs to boat dealers.
“We appreciate the department taking into consideration the concerns of the Maryland boating industry by significantly reducing the proposed boat registration costs to a level that is acceptable to our boat dealers and marinas,” Marine Trades Association of Maryland executive director Susan Zellers said in a statement.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources substantially reduced the amount of the proposed cost structure after public outcry against the original proposal.
“We hope these proposed fee reductions strike a better balance among the competing factors of affordability to boaters, recession impacts on boat sales and the growing unmet needs to maintain our boating assets,” department secretary John Griffin said in a statement. “With some of the most magnificent waterways in the country, we must work together to keep boating safe and enjoyable.”
The cost of registering a boat in Maryland has not increased since 1983.
Since 1965, the state’s 5 percent excise tax on vessels has served as the major source of funding for the Waterway Improvement Fund, the state’s program for financing projects and activities that promote, develop and maintain Maryland’s waterways for the boating public.
The Department of Natural Resources needs $41 million annually to maintain boating services and operations. This includes dredging and maintaining 265 channels, more than 400 public boating facilities, 3,600 buoys and marine police operations. The department is also responsible for removing hazardous abandoned boats and debris, funding marine sewage pumpout stations, local fire and rescue boats and providing icebreaking services for boaters when necessary.
Fund revenue has declined by 50 percent, to $15 million because of a decrease in boat sales, leaving Maryland unable to pay for these projects. The department said it was only able to fund 11 percent of the state and local grant requests for FY 2012.

We knew that was coming, didn't we? Just like the tolls. Scare the hell out of us with a giant number then back it down, and pretend their helping us out.. I wonder how much the state makes off of shipping in the bay?
Of course the politicians (don't care which party) want to point to the economy, they're hoping we don't believe they're all crooked and mismanaging our country... Where's all the money going? Why can corporations spend unlimited amounts of money on lobbying?
Quit loosing money and spending it on dumb chit, and balance the (explative) budget!!

... registration sticker on my kayak... I know I will...