Substitute House Bill No. 6811, Public Act No. 23-154, is an act concerning revisions to the vessel registration aquatic invasive species fee, effective October 1, 2024. The bill amends Section 14-21bb of the general statutes, changing the requirements for vessel operators in Connecticut. It replaces the previous requirement for vessel registration or renewal with a new mandate that any person operating a vessel on the state's inland waters, which is required to display a registration decal from Connecticut or another state, must possess an individual Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp. The fee for this stamp is increased from five to seven dollars. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is tasked with issuing the stamp through its online system, and the stamp is valid for the calendar year in which it is issued.

Additionally, the bill introduces the option for vessel owners to purchase a vessel Aquatic Invasive Species Decal instead of the individual stamp for each person operating the vessel. The fee for this decal is set at twenty dollars, with DEEP having the authority to charge up to an additional five dollars for production, processing, and mailing. The decal, which must be permanently affixed to the vessel, is also valid for the calendar year in which it is issued. The bill exempts operators of vessels with specific suffixes in their registration numbers from these requirements. All revenues collected from the sale of stamps and decals are directed to the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers, and Ponds Preservation account. Lastly, operating a vessel without complying with these requirements is considered an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to eighty-five dollars.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-21bb
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-21bb
File No. 486: 14-21bb
TRA Joint Favorable: 14-21bb
Public Act No. 23-154: 14-21bb