The bill amends existing laws regarding nonresident vessel permits in Washington State, specifically RCW 88.02.620 and RCW 88.02.640. It establishes that nonresident vessel owners must obtain a permit within 61 days of using their vessel in Washington if the vessel is registered in another state or country and has been in Washington for no more than six months within a 12-month period. The bill increases the maximum length of vessels eligible for permits from 200 feet to 300 feet and introduces new compliance requirements for vessels operating under a nonresident permit, including adherence to the quiet sound program and safe whale distance guidelines. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Revenue maintain records of nonresident vessel permits and provides a temporary provision for processing applications for vessels over 200 feet as if they were 200 feet until May 1, 2026.

The bill also revises the fee structure for nonresident vessel permits, maintaining a base fee of $25 for vessels owned by nonresident natural persons while introducing a tiered fee system based on vessel length for nonresident entities. Notably, it establishes a fee of $100 per foot for vessels between 201 and 300 feet, with a temporary provision that allows the fee for these larger vessels to be the same as for those 200 feet until 2026. The bill allocates revenues from these fees to various boating safety programs and introduces a new grant program to support youth swim lessons in underserved communities. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will expire on January 1, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 88.02.620, 88.02.640
Substitute Bill: 88.02.620, 88.02.640
Engrossed Substitute: 88.02.620, 88.02.640
Bill as Passed Legislature: 88.02.620, 88.02.640
Session Law: 88.02.620, 88.02.640