A4379

An Act concerning boat license and registration fees and amending P.L.1995, c.401 and P.L.1962, c.73.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 4 of P.L.1995, c.401 (C.12:7-73) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. The fee for a 48-month power vessel operator's license required pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1995, c.401 (C.12:7-72) shall be $18 and shall be paid to the [director] chief administrator for deposit into the State General Fund.

b. Each New Jersey power vessel operator's license issued pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1995, c.401 (C.12:7-72) shall have a digitized color picture of the licensee. In addition to the fee required pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the fee for the digitized color picture shall be $6 for each license or renewal.

c. A fee shall not be charged for the issuance of a power vessel operator’s license to a veteran or a resident of this State who is a member of any branch of the active duty or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States upon submission of satisfactory proof. This subsection shall only apply to power vessel operator’s licenses issued for non-commercial purposes.

For the purposes of this section, veteran means any resident of the State who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or a reserve component thereof.

(cf: P.L.2001, c.391, s.11)

2. Section 12 of P.L.1962, c.73 (C.12:7-34.47) is amended to read as follows:

12. The fees for the initial numbering of all vessels and for each renewal of the certificate of number issued thereto, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be:

(a) For all vessels less than 16 feet,$12 per year; 16 feet or more but less than 26 feet, $28 per year; 26 feet or more but less than 40 feet, $52 per year; 40 feet or more but less than 65 feet, $80 per year; 65 feet or more, $250 per year. The revenue derived from the increase, pursuant to the amendatory provisions of section 12 of P.L.2002, c.34, in the amount of the fees imposed under this subsection shall be deposited into the "Maritime Industry Fund" established pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2001, c.429 (C.27:1A-82), as follows: in fiscal year 2003, 50% of the revenue derived from the increase in fees, in fiscal year 2004, 75% of the revenue derived from the increase in fees; and in fiscal year 2005 and thereafter, 100% of the revenue derived from the increase in fees.

(b) (Deleted by amendment.)

(c) Special numbers including up to three duplicates thereof and up to four sets of temporary numbers bearing a number corresponding to the special number, shall be assigned to boat dealers and manufacturers, as provided for under rules and regulations to be promulgated by the division, and such numbers shall be displayed temporarily upon boats being tested, demonstrated, photographed or transported, said display to be as prescribed in the rules and regulations aforementioned.

For each such special number so assigned the fee shall be $75 for one year.

(d) A fee shall not be charged for the numbering of any marine equipment operated and maintained by the State of New Jersey; a county; a municipality; a volunteer first aid, rescue, or emergency squad; a search and rescue unit established within a fire district created pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-70; or a volunteer fire company created pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-70.1. This subsection shall apply only to marine equipment which is used exclusively in the performance of the prescribed duties of the governmental entities and organizations described above.

(e) A fee shall not be charged for the numbering of any vessel owned by a veteran or a resident of this State who is a member of any branch of the active duty or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States upon submission of satisfactory proof. This subsection shall only apply to vessels used for non-commercial purposes.

For the purposes of this section, veteran means any resident of this State who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or a reserve component thereof.

(cf: P.L.2002, c.34, s.12)

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill exempts veterans and members of the military from boat license and registration fees under certain circumstances.

Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a veteran or member of the military is exempt from paying fees associated with obtaining a power vessel operator’s license and fees associated with registering a boat, provided that the license and boat are to be used for non-commercial purposes.

The bill defines veteran as any resident of this State who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component thereof. Under the provisions of this bill, members of the military include residents of this State who are members of any branch of the active duty or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.