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HB26-1197 • 2026

Sunset Water Vessel Registration Program

The act implements the recommendation of the department of regulatory agencies' sunset review and report in continuing the registration program for vessels until September 1, 2036. The act also makes

Housing
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Rep. T. Mauro, Sen. C. Kipp, Rep. K. McCormick, Rep. A. Boesenecker, Rep. L. Goldstein, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. K. Stewart, Sen. J. Amabile, Sen. J. Coleman, Sen. L. Cutter, Sen. J. Gonzales, Sen. C. Kolker, Sen. D. Roberts, Sen. M. Snyder, Sen. K. Wallace
Last action
2026-05-29
Official status
Governor Signed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not specify when the law takes effect beyond noting it was enacted on May 29, 2026.

Extends Water Vessel Registration Program

This law continues the state's boat registration program until September 1, 2036, and updates rules for record-keeping and fines.

What This Bill Does

  • Continues the vessel registration program through September 1, 2036.
  • Changes the legal definition of a 'vessel'.
  • Adds a new definition for 'vessel livery' in state law.
  • Extends the time to keep records for hired boats from 30 days to 3 years after return.
  • Updates fine rules by changing the word 'individual' to 'person'.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who register vessels in Colorado
  • Businesses that rent out boats, known as vessel liveries

Terms To Know

Sunset review
A process where the government checks if an old law should end or continue.
Vessel livery
A business that rents out boats to customers for a fee.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The text does not state the exact effective date of this law.
  • The summary does not explain how the new definition of 'vessel' differs from the old one.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.001

HOU Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment updates Colorado laws to clearly define what counts as a 'vessel' and creates new rules for businesses that rent out boats.

  • It defines a 'vessel' to include stand-up paddleboards but excludes items like air mattresses, beach toys, inner tubes, seaplanes, and single-chambered inflatable devices.
  • It adds a definition for 'vessel livery,' which is any person who advertises and rents or leases vessels in exchange for payment.
  • It requires vessel liveries to keep records of renters' names, addresses, boat identification numbers, and trip times for three years instead of thirty days.
  • It clarifies that only people aged 18 or older can rent motorboats from a livery, unless they are at least 14 and have passed boating safety certification.
  • The amendment text contains many capitalized words indicating new language but does not explain the specific rules for how these records must be stored or inspected.
  • Some sections of the original bill regarding the sunset review date are mentioned in metadata but not detailed in this specific amendment text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-29 Governor

    Governor Signed

  2. 2026-05-28 Governor

    Sent to the Governor

  3. 2026-05-28 Senate

    Signed by the President of the Senate

  4. 2026-05-28 House

    Signed by the Speaker of the House

  5. 2026-04-22 Senate

    Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  6. 2026-04-21 Senate

    Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

  7. 2026-04-21 Senate

    Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

  8. 2026-04-02 Senate

    Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to Appropriations

  9. 2026-03-27 Senate

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources

  10. 2026-03-25 House

    House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  11. 2026-03-24 House

    House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

  12. 2026-03-20 House

    House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

  13. 2026-03-05 House

    House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations

  14. 2026-02-11 House

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

Official Summary Text

The act implements the recommendation of the department of regulatory agencies' sunset review and report in continuing the registration program for vessels until September 1, 2036.
The act also makes changes to definitions of 'vessel' and adds a definition of 'vessel livery'.
Current law requires that the records of a vessel livery related to hired vessels be preserved for at least 30 days after the vessel is to be returned to the vessel livery. The act extends this period to 3 years after the vessel is to be returned to the vessel livery.
Current law provides that an individual who violates provisions related to the minimum age of motorboat operators is subject to a fine of $100. The act changes 'individual' to 'person'.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)