FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5009

                              C 102 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Anderson)

Amending the list of vessels not required to be registered under chapter 88.02 RCW.

Senate Committee on Transportation and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Transportation

Rereferred House Committee on Revenue

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Under the current state boat registration program, a vessel that is owned by a resident of a foreign country is exempt from Washington's boat registration program as long as the vessel is not located within Washington's waters for more than 60 days.

Many Canadian boats with valid foreign registries or a U.S. Customs Service cruising license are moored at Point Roberts, Blaine and Bellingham.  Several Canadian boats have been cited for not having a Washington numbering system.  This incident has raised several legal questions with regard to when and if maritime law supersedes state law.

Customs law prohibits the placing of any marking on a foreign vessel that would indicate the boat is a U.S.-owned vessel.  Requiring a foreign vessel to display state boat registration numbers may be in direct violation of Customs law.  Customs also allows foreign pleasure boats to purchase a Customs cruising license which permits the vessel to move freely in and out of the United States for one year without having to conform with Customs law.  The permit is $26, valid for one year and may be renewed annually.  It is doubtful that the state can burden this permission by requiring full registration.  There is also an international agreement that requires vessels to be registered only in one jurisdiction.

SUMMARY:

A vessel is exempt from Washington State boating registration laws if the vessel is registered in another country or has a U.S. Customs cruising license.

The provision requiring a foreign vessel located in state waters for more than 60 days to be registered is deleted.

A vessel located on the waters of this state exclusively for reconstruction, repairs, or testing which is part of the repair work, and which is owned by a resident of another state is exempt from registration.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   45    0

     House 97  0 (House amended)

     Senate   44    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989