House Bill 1000

Chair's Name: Bob Lane

Committee: Game Fish & Parks

House Sponsor: John Heard

This bill  comes to the Floor under the Open Rule. Representative Heard has proposed a Rules Substitute which removes the $18 imposed in a previous version.

Chairman Lane’s Opinion of the legislation:

This legislation creates the “Watercraft Certificate of Title Act.”  It sets forth the guidelines and principles for the titling of watercraft. The bill follows the titling process that exists with automobiles in Georgia. The bill focuses on new boats and does not require previously purchased vessel to be titled.

In the case of this bill, ‘vessel’ means every description of watercraft that is used or is capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. Vessel exempt from the titling process are listed in 52-7A-4 such as boats which are motorized but the motor does not exceed 10 horsepower and vessels with model years prior to 2008.

Georgia is one of 13 states that does not currently title boats. Georgia leads the nation in stolen boats, and most major thefts dealing with watercraft, occur with personal watercraft. There is no procedure to verify if there are liens on a boat.  Ownership is official only through a bill of sale. There is also no method of confirming ownership for the collection of ad valorem taxes. 

Further Action

The Senate added fees for the processing of the title application, handling, replacement, transfer and late application. Also added are provisions that would eventually DNR Decals an extension of the titling service. The House Sponsor will likely move to disagree.