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2025 Oregon Legislature

Marine Board Bills for the Legislative Session

The Marine Board proposed one bill in addition to its budget for the 2025, long session. HB 2558 modifies the definition of "charter guide" for outfitter guide laws and restructures the outfitter and guide fees. Here is a presentation from the July 2024 Board meeting about the challenges and proposed solutions that led to this bill.

SUMMARY: 

Registration fees related to the Outfitter Guide program have not been adjusted in a decade ($150 / year) and expenditures continue to exceed revenues. Agency staff levels also remain unchanged as transaction volumes increase, including processes that have no fee but require labor, service, and supplies. Process improvements have helped align work volumes with the Current Service Level (CSL) workforce, however, as the number of registered outfitter guides (1,170 in 2014 vs 1,520 in 2023 or a 30% increase) and guide employees in Oregon increases, the demand for compliance and enforcement also increases. The enforcement contract with Oregon State Police (OSP) is unchanged and requests from OSP to increase funding to match CSL have been unmet. In addition to the revenue shortfalls, the current Outfitter Guide program's Non-Resident fee structure based on reciprocity does not align with interstate commerce and occupational licensing laws.

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The Agency's Budget Bill follows the Governor's Recommended Budget. 

OR - HB 5021 INTRO
Relating to the financial administration of the State Marine Board; declaring an emergency.
Limits biennial expenditures from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by the State Marine Board. 


The Legislative Process

The Legislative Process Marine Board staff proposes legislative concepts to its five-member Board based on feedback from stakeholders and partners. The agency is always looking to improve recreational boating laws and services. Once a legislative concept is approved by the Marine Board, it is then submitted to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). After review from DAS, the concept goes to the Governor's Office for consideration. If the Governor's Office approves, a concept moves to Legislative Counsel to be drafted into a bill.  




Once a legislative concept becomes a bill, it follows this process:
Oregon Legislature graphic on how an idea becomes a bill and the legislative process for a bill to become law 





Open Houses Held in 2024 to Learn Boater Perspectives on Agency Operations, Proposed Legislation

Five Open Houses were held in local communities facilitated by agency staff in October and November 2024. 



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Senate Chamber in the Oregon State Capitol 
To receive bill notifications, visit the Oregon Legislature website, find the bill number for the 2025 session, and select "e-subscribe" to follow bills. 

Learn more about the Agency's Programs and Budgeting to serve recreational boaters