MassachusettsDennis bill would direct boating fees to its waterways fund
If passed, the bill would send set shares of several fees to Dennis’s waterways fund, and a town by-law could let the select board change those shares.
What it does
If passed, the bill would send set shares of several boating and parking fees to Dennis’s waterways fund without another appropriation. All waterways user fees would go into the fund.
If a town by-law authorizes it, Dennis’s select board could raise or lower the shares of listed fees deposited into the fund.
Argument forDepositing shares of boating and parking fees directly into the fund could give Dennis money for waterways work without another appropriation.
Argument againstIf a town by-law allows it, the select board could lower the fee shares going to the fund, leaving it with less money for waterways work.
More detail
The proposed law would direct listed fee revenue into Dennis’s waterways fund. The listed shares are 50% of boat storage fees, 50% of transient boater fees, 37.5% of daily parking fees for vehicles and trailers, and 25% of slip-holder fees. All fees for boats using private docks, rack-stored boats, and waterways users would go into the fund. The text also names a portion of fees collected under a 2008 law. The proposed law would take effect upon passage.
The select board could change the listed fee shares deposited into the fund. The authority covers the percentages of the listed fees deposited into the fund. A town by-law must authorize the select board to change the shares. The proposed law would take effect upon passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 26Enacted and laid before the GovernorLatest
- Oct 26EnactedBecame Law
- Oct 22Read third and passed to be engrossedPassed 2nd Chamber
- Sep 21Read second and ordered to a third readingMinor
- Sep 21Rules suspended
- Sep 21Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
- Sep 10Read; and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and SchedulingMinor
- Sep 8Read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossedPassed 1st Chamber
- Sep 8Taken out of the Orders of the Day
- Jul 22Read second and ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jul 13Bill reported favorably by committee and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sessionMinor
- Jun 11Hearing scheduled for 06/23/2026 from 01:00 PM-03:00 PM in A-1
- Jun 1House concurred
- May 28Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional GovernmentIntroduced
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