2025 Marine Board Legislative Concepts
The Marine Board proposed one legislative concept in addition to its budget for the 2025 long session. Legislative Concept 0344 modifies the definition of "charter guide" for outfitter guide laws and restructures the outfitter and guide fees.
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.
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: