BILL NUMBER: SB 255 CHAPTERED 10/04/05 CHAPTER 473 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 4, 2005 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 4, 2005 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 30, 2005 PASSED THE SENATE MAY 26, 2005 AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 10, 2005 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 27, 2005 INTRODUCED BY Senator Torlakson FEBRUARY 15, 2005 An act to amend Sections 9853, 9860, 9861, and 9863 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vessels. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 255, Torlakson Vessel registration: fees. Existing law imposes fees for initial registration and renewal of registration of vessels that includes a fee of $10 for a 2-year registration. This bill would increase that fee to $20. The bill would require the funds derived from increasing the fee to be allocated, upon appropriation, to the Department of Boating and Waterways for expenditure in support of programs under the department's jurisdiction. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 9853 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 9853. (a) The owner of each vessel requiring numbering by this state shall file an initial application for a number with the department or with an agent authorized by the department on forms approved by the department. The forms shall be prepared in cooperation with the Department of Boating and Waterways. The application shall contain the true name and address of the owner and of the legal owner, if any, and the hull identification number of the vessel as may be required by the department. The application shall be signed by the owner of the vessel and shall be accompanied by a fee of nine dollars ($9), in addition to the fees required under subdivision (b), except that an owner of a vessel registered outside this state who is submitting an application for registration in this state shall pay a fee of thirty-seven dollars ($37), in addition to the fees required under subdivision (b). (b) (1) Whenever the fee for original registration of a vessel becomes due between January 1 and December 31 of any even-numbered year, the application shall be accompanied by a fee of ten dollars ($10), in addition to any other fees that are then due and payable. (2) Whenever the fee for original registration of a vessel becomes due, or is filed with the department, between January 1 and December 31 of any odd-numbered year, the application shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars ($20) in addition to any other fees that are then due and payable. SEC. 2. Section 9860 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 9860. (a) Certificates of number shall be renewed before midnight of the expiration date by presentation of the certificate of number last issued for the vessel or by presentation of a potential registration card issued by the department. (b) The fee for renewal shall be twenty dollars ($20) for each two-year period, and shall accompany the request for renewal. (c) If the certificate of number and potential registration card are unavailable, the fee specified in Section 9867 shall not be paid. SEC. 3. Section 9861 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 9861. All certificates of number expire on December 31 of every odd-numbered year. SEC. 4. Section 9863 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 9863. (a) Except as required under subdivision (b), and except moneys collected under Section 9875, fees received pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, for the administration of this chapter by the department. Funds in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund derived pursuant to this chapter in excess of the amount determined by the Director of Finance, from time to time, to be necessary for expenditure for the administration of this chapter, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are continuously appropriated to the Department of Boating and Waterways, without regard to fiscal years, for expenditure in accordance with Section 663.7 of the Harbors and Navigation Code. (b) Funds derived from imposition of the biennial registration fee under paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 9853, or under Section 9860, shall be distributed as follows: (1) One-half shall be continuously appropriated pursuant to subdivision (a). (2) One-half shall be allocated, upon appropriation, to the Department of Boating and Waterways for expenditure in support of programs under the department's jurisdiction.