Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Boaters' scofflaw will expire Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 15:19:55 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \SS (WS) \HD Boaters' scofflaw will expire \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS President Bush yesterday signed a bill that phases out a federal user fee on boat owners by 1995. Imposed two years ago as a way to pay for Coast Guard services for boat owners, the boat tax imposed $25 to $100 fees on boat owners based on the size of their boats. The Boat Owners Association of the United States, based in Alexandria, said the boat tax affected 4.1 million boat owners. Administration officials predicted they would collect $127 million through the fee in 1991 but instead collected only $18 million. The association said many boat owners had refused to purchase the user fee decals as a form of protest. Effective immediately, all boats 21 feet or less in length no longer have to display the user fee decal, the association said. The maximum fee on boats 21 feet to 27 feet will be $35. On boats 27 to 40 feet, the fee maximum will be $50. On Oct. 1, 1993, all boats 37 feet and less will become exempt, and on Oct. 1, 1994, the levy will be repealed on all remaining vessels. The fee was imposed in the belief it would help raise money for the Coast Guard's activities, but critics said the money was deposited in the Treasury. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM