Representatives Moore, Kiggans Introduce State Boating Act to Protect States’ Authority to Fund Waterway Safety and Conservation Programs
Skip to content Close Home Meet Blake Committees & Caucuses Accomplishments Events House Republican Conference Vice Chair First District Trump Accounts Constituent Service Testimonials Veterans History Project Debt & Deficit Task Force Contact Email Blake Offices Subscribe to My Newsletter Request A Meeting Website Problem News Press Releases The Moore You Know Issues Topics Community Project Funding Debt & Deficit Task Force Services Privacy Release Form Office Job Openings Media Release Form Art Competition Tours and Tickets Internships Flag Requests Military Academy Nominations Commendations & Greetings Federal Job Postings Grant Applications Help with a Federal Agency Help Obtaining a Federal Document Senior Citizens Close Mobile Site Search SEARCH Meet Blake Committees & Caucuses Accomplishments Events House Republican Conference Vice Chair First District Trump Accounts Constituent Service Testimonials Veterans History Project Debt & Deficit Task Force Contact Email Blake Offices Subscribe to My Newsletter Request A Meeting Website Problem News Press Releases The Moore You Know Issues Topics Community Project Funding Debt & Deficit Task Force Services Privacy Release Form Office Job Openings Media Release Form Art Competition Tours and Tickets Internships Flag Requests Military Academy Nominations Commendations & Greetings Federal Job Postings Grant Applications Help with a Federal Agency Help Obtaining a Federal Document Senior Citizens Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Home News Press Releases May 05, 2026 Representatives Moore, Kiggans Introduce State Boating Act to Protect States’ Authority to Fund Waterway Safety and Conservation Programs WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Blake Moore (UT-01) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the State Boating Act , a bill to clarify a state’s authority to collect boating-related vessel registration fees to support search and rescue, boating safety, and protection of waterways. This bill safeguards states’ ability to collect and use these funds for aquatic invasive species prevention and public safety programs, while providing much-needed certainty for state agencies and the communities they serve. “In Utah and across the country, state fish and wildlife agencies work tirelessly to improve boater experience and safety,” Rep. Moore said. "In many cases, those activities are directly funded by state boating fees. By taking away this funding stream, the federal government is hindering the important work these state agencies do to improve boater programs, conduct search and rescue operations, and protect waterways from invasive species. I’m glad to work with my colleagues to right this wrong and provide our states access to the funding they need to do their jobs. “Virginia’s waterways, from the Chesapeake Bay to our inland rivers, are vital to our economy, our environment, and our way of life,” Rep. Kiggans said. "The State Boating Act ensures that states can continue to fund critical programs like search and rescue, boating safety, and waterway protection without unnecessary federal interference. This commonsense legislation provides certainty for states and helps keep our waterways safe, accessible, and well-maintained for everyone who depends on them.” "In Utah, we know firsthand how important it is for state fish and wildlife agencies to have the resources they need to prevent, detect, and respond to aquatic invasive species like quagga mussels," said Director Riley Peck, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "And this benefits not just that state, but also others that share those water bodies. I commend Utah Congressman Moore, Congresswoman Kiggans (R-VA), and Congresswoman Balint (D-VT) for introducing the State Boating Act (H.R.8550), which will ensure states can continue to fund their aquatic invasive species programs via the boat registration process without jeopardizing the boating safety grants they receive from the federal government." “ConservAmerica supports the State Boating Act and appreciates Congresswoman Kiggans’ leadership on this commonsense legislation. By empowering state fish and wildlife agencies to address aquatic invasive species, strengthen boating safety, and keep our waterways accessible for recreation, this bill helps protect America’s natural resources while supporting outdoor traditions and local economies,” said Jason Solomon, head of government affairs, ConservAmerica. “The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) fully endorses Representative Kiggans’ and Representative Moore’s State Boating Act . Aquatic invasive species, such as blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay, act as some of the biggest roadblocks to our rebuilding of important fisheries. This bill would streamline the pathway for states to collect additional resources to address predation and habitat loss from aquatic invasive species, and support programs to keep fishery participants safe. This bill would help ensure the long-term sustainab
ca838d76-7c7f-4902-8a11-04289b04ccf8Issued within 24 hours
Other senators' releases published in the day before or after this one.