Dennis Mintus
May 20, 2025
House Bill 54, OMTA supported amendment to exempt watercraft dealers from having title transfers notarized. We heard from our that having a notary on staff at all times had gotten burdensome, so we requested an exemption modeled after one provided to auto dealers. A notarization will still be required for casual sales. But for registered watercraft dealers, it will no longer be required. OMTA is pleased to report that the final version retains this provision.
Transportation Budget Heading to Governor
House Bill 54, OMTA supported amendment to exempt watercraft dealers from having title transfers notarized. We heard from our that having a notary on staff at all times had gotten burdensome, so we requested an exemption modeled after one provided to auto dealers. A notarization will still be required for casual sales. But for registered watercraft dealers, it will no longer be required. OMTA is pleased to report that the final version retains this provision.
Ohio Registration Fee Increase
OMTA sent a request to ODNR for additional information on their plans for additional revenue they would generate from a proposal to increase boat registration fees. We have not yet received a response. The OMTA Board voted to oppose the proposal until we received additional detail on how the increase will be used to benefit boating, by way of ramps, dock upgrades and washing stations.
State Budget Bill
Line items of interest to OMTA are as follows:
7086 739401 Watercraft Operations $ 28,432,898 $ 28,922,532
7086 725414 Waterways Improvement $ 5,782,184 $ 5,880,807
5TD0 725615 Park Maintenance $ 1,540,331 $ 1,540,331
GRF 725505 Healthy Lake Erie Program $ 931,976 $ 939,077
5140 725606 Lake Erie Shoreline $ 1,694,771 $ 1,732,863
4U60 725668 Scenic Rivers Protection $ 58,860 $ 58,860
GRF 235402 Sea Grants $ 308,000 $ 308,000
GRF 730321 Parks and Recreation $ 55,000,000 $ 55,000,000
2270 725406 Parks Projects Personnel $ 4,831,529 $ 4,976,475
5140 725606 State Parks Operations $ 43,122,931 $ 43,358,465
H2Ohio Specific Appropriations by agency:
Ohio Department of Agriculture: $ 60,607,500 $ 60,662,000
Lake Erie Commission: $ 132,000 $ 132,000
ODNR: $ 46,622,268 $ 46,622,268
Ohio EPA: $ 27,537,015 $ 27,537,015
Boat Registration Writing Fee
There is a change proposed to allow ODNR, or their authorized agent, to charge a writing fee of $5 (currently it is $3).
House Bill 96 has proposes creating two new funds first the Park Lodges, Maintenance, and Repair Fund consisting of monies received contracts with service providers and concessionaires for state park lodges, restaurants, and marinas the second fund created is the parks and watercraft holding fund. This fund consists of gift card, credit card, or sales at the field. Below is the implementing language.
Sec. 1546.25. The park lodges, maintenance, and repair fund is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money received from contractual agreements with service providers and concessionaires for state park lodges, restaurants, and marinas. The chief of the division of parks and watercraft shall use money in the fund to pay maintenance and repair costs for facilities operated by concessionaires and service providers at state park lodges, restaurants, and marinas.
Fishing License Fees
Non-resident fishing licenses increasing as follows: $49 to $74 for annual, $24 to $50 for three day and $13 to $26 for one day.
“Spotter” Bill Introduced
Representative Levi Dean has introduced House Bill 183 to remove the requirement that boats have a “spotter” when participating in towing water sports. Under the bill, a boat with a rearview mirror would be an acceptable alternative to a person serving as the spotter. The Ohio Marine Trades Association has long been opposed to this proposal for safety reasons. The bill also doesn’t take into account risk levels on different bodies of water and at different times of the season, nor skill level of the person being towed.
Senate Passes Marijuana Law Changes
The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Bill 56 that makes changes to the recreational marijuana law passed by voters in 2023. The bill does things such as modifying THC limits. The bill also tightens provisions regarding public use. While the citizen initiative statute stated that public places were not required to allow use, and could prohibit it, the changes passed as part of SB 56 would specify that: the smoking, combustion, and vaporization of adult-use , and vaporization of medical marijuana, is permitted only in a private residence that is not a childcare home or a residential premises occupied pursuant to a rental agreement that prohibits such activities.
Submitted by:
I-LYA Commodore Dennis Mintus