MissouriBoating registration fees would fund water patrol after August 2026
The measure would direct future vessel registration fees to water patrol and set boating safety card rules for certain vessel operators.
What it does
Fees collected for vessel registrations after August 28, 2026, would go entirely to the water patrol division fund and could be used only for that division.
Starting January 1, 2027, people born on or after that date cutoff would need a lifelong boating safety card to operate vessels on Missouri waters, unless an exception applies.
Vessel rental and sales businesses could issue one qualifying customer a seven-day temporary safety card for nine dollars, with fees going to the water patrol fund until December 31, 2032.
Argument forDirecting registration fees to water patrol could give that division more dedicated money for its boating-safety and enforcement work.
Argument againstSending all registration fees to water patrol could leave less money available for the state's general revenue needs.
More detail
The Department of Revenue would deposit all vessel registration fees collected after August 28, 2026, into the water patrol division fund. This covers fees collected under the vessel numbering and registration section. The money must be used only for the water patrol division. This allocation applies to fees collected after August 28, 2026.
People born on or after January 1, 2006, who operate vessels on Missouri waters would need to carry a boating safety identification card. The requirement applies to covered vessel operators, subject to the exceptions listed in the section, including certain licensed people, military personnel, and people who completed an approved course. The card must show completion of an approved safety course, passage of an equivalent exam, or possession of a qualifying United States Coast Guard license. The water patrol division or its agent would issue a permanent card that remains valid for life unless the law invalidates it. This requirement begins January 1, 2027, for people born on or after January 1, 2006.
Businesses that rent or sell vessels could issue qualifying customers a temporary boating safety card for up to seven days. The customer must meet the state's minimum operating age, show a valid driver's license, sign an affidavit about reviewing Missouri boating laws, and receive no more than one temporary card. The business must submit the card information and payment electronically as required by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The temporary card fee is nine dollars, and the collected fees would go to the water patrol division fund. The temporary-card authority expires December 31, 2032.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 13Delivered to Secretary of State (G)Latest
- Jul 13Approved by Governor Mike Kehoe (G)Became Law
- May 28Delivered to Governor
- May 28Signed by President Pro Tem (S)
- May 28Signed by House Speaker (H)
- May 15Senate Message (S)
- Vote recorded Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 27 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 27 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0. Result: pass.Upper
- May 15Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - AYES: 27 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0Passed Senate
- May 15Taken Up for Third Reading (S)Minor
- May 13Reported Do Pass (S)Minor
- May 13Voted Do Pass (S)Minor
- May 13Executive Session Held (S)
- May 11Referred: Fiscal Oversight(S)Minor
- May 11Reported Do Pass (S)Minor
- May 7Voted Do Pass (S)Minor
- May 7Executive Session Held (S)
- May 4Public Hearing Held (S)
- Apr 30Public Hearing Scheduled (S) - Monday, May 4, 2026, 2:00 p.m., Senate Committee Room 1 - 1st Floor
- Apr 21Second read and referred: Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety(S)
- Apr 13Reported to the Senate and First Read (S)Minor
- Apr 9Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 112 NOES: 27 PRESENT: 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 112 NOES: 27 PRESENT: 0. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 9Taken Up for Third Reading (H)Minor
- Apr 9Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0Minor
- Apr 9Voted Do Pass (H)Minor
- Apr 9Executive Session Completed (H)
- Apr 8Referred: Fiscal Review(H)Minor
- Apr 7Perfected with Amendments (H) - HA 1, HA 2, HA 3, adopted.
- Apr 7Title of Bill - Agreed To
- Apr 7Taken Up for Perfection (H)
- Mar 23Placed on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H)
- Mar 11Placed Back on Formal Perfection Calendar (H)
- Mar 9Placed on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H)
- Feb 23Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0Minor
- Vote recorded Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Voted Do Pass (H)Minor
- Feb 23Executive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 17Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 12 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 12 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0Minor
- Feb 12Voted Do Pass (H)Minor
- Feb 12Executive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 9Public Hearing Completed (H)
- Feb 2Referred: Corrections and Public Institutions(H)Minor
- Jan 12Read Second Time (H)Minor
- Jan 8Introduced and Read First Time (H)Introduced
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