5-321. Numbering; registration fees; exemption
from taxation; penalty; procedures
A. Except as provided in section 5-322, the owner of each motorized watercraft
requiring numbering by this state shall file an application for a registration number
with the department, or its agent, on forms approved by the department. Except as
provided by rule adopted by the commission, the application shall be signed by the owner
of the motorized watercraft and shall be accompanied by a registration fee levied at the
following rates:
1. For a resident owner, defined as a person who owns a boat for which registration
is required and who is required to and does register motor vehicles owned by the person
in this state or, if no motor vehicle is owned by the person owning the boat, the person
is a resident as defined by section 28-2001, a registration fee as follows:
Twelve feet and less $20.00
Twelve feet one inch through sixteen feet $22.00
Sixteen feet one inch through twenty feet $30.00
Twenty feet one inch through twenty-six feet $35.00
Twenty-six feet one inch through thirty-nine feet $39.00
Thirty-nine feet one inch through sixty-four feet $44.00
Sixty-four feet one inch and over $66.00
2. For a nonresident owner, defined as any person who owns a boat for which
registration is required and who is not a resident owner as defined by this section, a
registration fee as follows:
Twelve feet and less $100.00
Twelve feet one inch through sixteen feet $110.00
Sixteen feet one inch through twenty feet $222.00
Twenty feet one inch through twenty-six feet $259.00
Twenty-six feet one inch through thirty-nine feet $292.00
Thirty-nine feet one inch through sixty-four feet $330.00
Sixty-four feet one inch and greater $495.00
B. Pursuant to article IX, section 16, constitution of Arizona, watercraft are
exempt from ad valorem property tax and from license taxes in lieu of property tax.
C. The length of the motorized watercraft shall be measured from the most forward
part of the bow excluding the bowsprit or jibboom, over the centerline to the rearmost
part of the transom excluding sheer, outboard motor, rudder, handles or other
attachments.
D. The commission may assess an additional registration fee, to be collected at the
same time and in the same manner as the registration fee imposed by subsection A,
paragraph 1 or 2 of this section. The amount of the additional fee shall be determined by
the commission and may be imposed in different amounts with respect to resident and
nonresident owners. An additional registration fee under this subsection is to be used
solely for the purpose of the lower Colorado river multispecies conservation program
under section 48-3713.03.
E. Upon receipt of the application in approved form with the applicable fees and
license tax, the department or its agent shall enter the application on the records of
its office and issue to the applicant two current annual decals and a certificate of
number stating the number issued to the watercraft and the name and address of the owner.
The owner shall display the assigned number and the current annual decals in such manner
as may be prescribed by rules of the commission. The number and decals shall be
maintained in legible condition. The certificate of number or commission approved proof
of valid certificate of number, except as provided in section 5-371, shall be available
at all times for inspection by a peace officer whenever the watercraft is in operation.
No number issued by another state or the United States coast guard, unless granted
exemption or exception pursuant to this chapter, shall be displayed on the watercraft.
F. No motorized watercraft shall be purchased, sold or otherwise transferred
without assignment by the owner of the current numbering certificate or other
documentation as may be prescribed by rules of the commission. Within fifteen days after
such transfer, the person to whom such transfer is made shall make application to the
department to have the motorized watercraft registered in the person's name by the
department, for which the department shall charge a transfer fee of four dollars. The
department shall not issue or transfer a numbering certificate for a motorized watercraft
to a person who is subject to the use tax under title 42, chapter 5, article 4 unless the
applicable tax has been paid as shown by a receipt from the collecting officer. Persons
doing business as marine dealers and licensed as such by this state are not required to
register in their name any watercraft in their possession that may be offered for resale.
G. In the event of the loss or destruction of the certificate of number or annual
decal, the department shall issue a duplicate to the owner upon payment of a fee of two
dollars.
H. The department may issue any certificate of number directly or may authorize any
person to act as agent for the issuance of the certificate of number in conformity with
this chapter and with any rules of the commission. An agent that contracts with the
commission to renew certificates of number by telecommunication may impose additional
fees for the services as provided in the contract.
I. The owner shall furnish to the department notice of the transfer of all or any
part of the owner's interest other than the creation of a security interest in a
motorized watercraft numbered in this state pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or
of the destruction or abandonment of such watercraft within fifteen days. Such transfer,
destruction or abandonment shall terminate the certificate of number of such watercraft,
except that in the case of a transfer of a part interest which does not affect the
owner's right to operate such watercraft, the transfer shall not terminate the
certificate of number.
J. Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department within fifteen
days if the holder's address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the
certificate and shall, as a part of such notification, furnish the department with the
holder's new address. The commission may provide in its rules for the surrender of the
certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate bearing the
new address or the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of
the holder.
K. On renewal of any motorized watercraft registration that has not been renewed by
the current expiration date, the department shall assess a penalty unless the watercraft
ownership has been transferred and the watercraft was not registered subsequent to the
expiration date. The commission shall establish the penalty which shall not exceed
fifteen dollars. If more than twelve months have lapsed since the expiration date of the
last registration or renewal the penalty and back fees are waived.
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