Kayak Legislation

[Descant]

Looks like: When you go into a club or theater, you buy a ticket or pay a cover charge. When you enter some, not all, state parks, you pay an entrance fee. Sounds like this is similar. You buy a sticker (season pass) to use a ramp provided and maintained by Fish and Game. If you're using a ramp owned by your association, you're paying through HOA fees. No sticker needed. Similar, right?
If Thinkxingu (sp?) has a copy of Rep. Goley's amendment, it would be great to publish it here. One of the quirks of the legislature is that they publish bills on line that have not been passed, but they don't put amendments on line until they pass. As we see in this thread, an amendment can make significant changes even before there is a public hearing.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by Descant

Looks like: When you go into a club or theater, you buy a ticket or pay a cover charge. When you enter some, not all, state parks, you pay an entrance fee. Sounds like this is similar. You buy a sticker (season pass) to use a ramp provided and maintained by Fish and Game. If you're using a ramp owned by your association, you're paying through HOA fees. No sticker needed. Similar, right?
If Thinkxingu (sp?) has a copy of Rep. Goley's amendment, it would be great to publish it here. One of the quirks of the legislature is that they publish bills on line that have not been passed, but they don't put amendments on line until they pass. As we see in this thread, an amendment can make significant changes even before there is a public hearing.

Fish and game ramps are free to boaters...example, the Wellington state park ramp is a fish and game ramp and in summer when you trailer a boat in to launch there is no “park” fee. Beach users pay a fee. All fish and game ramps are free to boaters/fishermen.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Fish and game ramps are free to boaters...example, the Wellington state park ramp is a fish and game ramp and in summer when you trailer a boat in to launch there is no “park” fee. Beach users pay a fee. All fish and game ramps are free to boaters/fishermen.

I haven't read the amendment, but it sounds like "free, but if you want to help keep it up, buy a sticker": Power boats pay through their registration for as variety of state funds. As noted above, some launches cater only to carry in craft. I believe Rep. Goley is a member of the House F & G Committee and is offering this as a contribution to F & G finances without raising hunting and fishing license fees.

[Hillcountry]

If kayaks and other paddle craft use public/state facilities they should pay as they may be taking up precious parking spaces for those that do pay (power boats and fishermen)
I have a tracked UTV vehicle that is not allowed on snowmobile trails (too wide) but I must register it as “other” with a full snowmobile/ATV registration even though all I do is drive into the ice for ice fishing. I maintain that there should be an “ice fishing only” sticker at a reduced rate. Everyone that uses the state’s resources should pay for their privilege.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

If kayaks and other paddle craft use public/state facilities they should pay as they may be taking up precious parking spaces for those that do pay (power boats and fishermen)
I have a tracked UTV vehicle that is not allowed on snowmobile trails (too wide) but I must register it as “other” with a full snowmobile/ATV registration even though all I do is drive into the ice for ice fishing. I maintain that there should be an “ice fishing only” sticker at a reduced rate. Everyone that uses the state’s resources should pay for their privilege.

Interresting idea. Write to Rep. Goley, or others on the F & G Committee. Maybe they'll do more amending?

[bigdog]

I'm not a pessimist or being negative here, but if anyone thinks or believes this Kayak/Canoe registration fee will actually be used for F & G budget, I think you're dreaming...

This registration may be initially earmarked for F & G purpose, but when the State needs additional funding for a new project, or to offset another State fund bucket, they move the money around at their will, that's just a fact.
If there was a guaranty that the registration money would stay in F&G budget
that would be great, they need the money and that Dept. is always way under-funded.

The new registration may be optional at first, but that's just to allow legislators to get their footing established, to make it permanent ! Tell me that doesn't happen ?

Not to digress here, but I remember the story about funding the Mass. Turnpike. The Mass Legislature sold the taxpayers the story that the loan to fund the project would be a 30 yr Bond loan, after that there would be no more tolls.The turnpike opened in 1957, and you know the rest of the story....

Apologies for going off-topic, and sorry to open any wounds, but this is just an example when State govt. goes off the rails !

[Descant]

Originally Posted by bigdog

I'm not a pessimist or being negative here, but if anyone thinks or believes this Kayak/Canoe registration fee will actually be used for F & G budget, I think you're dreaming...

This registration may be initially earmarked for F & G purpose, but when the State needs additional funding for a new project, or to offset another State fund bucket, they move the money around at their will, that's just a fact.
If there was a guaranty that the registration money would stay in F&G budget
that would be great, they need the money and that Dept. is always way under-funded.

The new registration may be optional at first, but that's just to allow legislators to get their footing established, to make it permanent ! Tell me that doesn't happen ?...

There may be a little truth in your thoughts, but it does take a new law passed and signed by the governor to move money out of dedicated funds. Different from a departments operating budget where things can be moved around. In order to raid a dedicated fund you have to go through the whole legislative process. So, most dedicated funds get spent down so there won't be enough to raid.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Descant

Looks like: When you go into a club or theater, you buy a ticket or pay a cover charge. When you enter some, not all, state parks, you pay an entrance fee. Sounds like this is similar. You buy a sticker (season pass) to use a ramp provided and maintained by Fish and Game. If you're using a ramp owned by your association, you're paying through HOA fees. No sticker needed. Similar, right?
If Thinkxingu (sp?) has a copy of Rep. Goley's amendment, it would be great to publish it here. One of the quirks of the legislature is that they publish bills on line that have not been passed, but they don't put amendments on line until they pass. As we see in this thread, an amendment can make significant changes even before there is a public hearing.

See my posting #25 which includes a link to the current amendment.