http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/04/17/news/doc4806775bc0db0846636156.txt

State may increase boat license fees

4/17/2008

Bloomington Pantagraph

Kenneth Lowe

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois boaters may face higher licensing fees if a proposal floating through the Illinois Senate is adopted.

State Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, sponsored the proposal before a Senate committee Wednesday.

The additional money brought in from the fee increases would go to the Department of Natural Resources for water rescue teams throughout the state. Such teams conduct rescue operations and crime scene investigation, among many other duties.

Noland said he is not yet sure how much additional money the fee increases would bring in.

''That's still an issue that's in flux,'' Noland said. ''We're going to be working with the other senators on what the increases will be.''

Chuck Vaughn, a lobbyist for firefighter groups, said imposing the fees on boaters will target those who are most often in need of help from water rescue teams.

Vaughn said the increase in funds will help water rescue teams – which are largely made up of volunteers and are not currently organized under any one agency – to operate in a time when they are in danger of falling apart for lack of funding.

''We're trying to be proactive and create an income stream that will fund the training and establishment of rescue teams that will be there when you need them,'' Vaughn said.

The measure did not advance to the floor.

The legislation is Senate Bill 2750.

Fee breakdown

Here are the application fee increases that are proposed, broken down by class of vessel:

Class A (canoes, kayaks, non-motorized paddle boats) $6 to $8.50

Class 1 (shorter than 16 feet) $15 to $25

Class 2 (between 16 and 26 feet) $45 to $70

Class 3 (between 26 and 40 feet) $75 to $100

Class 4 (longer than 40 feet) $100 to $130