(1) A person may obtain a towed watersports endorsement if:

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(a)(A) The person is a resident of this state and the person holds a boating safety education card issued under ORS § 830.086; or

(B) The person is not a resident of this state and the person holds a current out-of-state boating certificate;

(b) The person passes the towed watersports endorsement examination, or the equivalency examination, as described in ORS § 830.640;

(c) The person pays the fee established by the State Marine Board under ORS § 830.646; and

(d) The person provides any other information required by the board by rule.

(2) A person may obtain a towed watersports motorboat certificate if the person is the owner of a registered motorboat and:

(a) The person holds a towed watersports endorsement issued under this section;

(b) The maximum loading weight of the motorboat is less than 5,500 pounds, which is the sum of the factory-specified dry gross weight of the motorboat and the factory-specified maximum factory ballast capacity of the motorboat;

(c) The person provides the board with information regarding the motorboat’s make, model, length, dry gross weight and maximum factory ballast capacity specifications as listed by the manufacturer; and

(d) The person provides any other information required by the board by rule.

(3) A towed watersports endorsement and towed watersports motorboat certificate issued under this section starts on the day the endorsement or certificate is issued and expires on December 31 of the last year in the two-year period.

(4) A person issued a towed watersports endorsement or towed watersports motorboat certificate under this section may renew the endorsement or certificate by:

(a) Paying the towed watersports endorsement renewal fee established under ORS § 830.646; and

(b) Completing an application in the form and manner required by the board by rule.

(5) The board shall issue a towed watersports motorboat certificate in the form of a decal. The decal must be affixed to the forward portion of the motorboat, visible above the waterline and in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

(6) The board may appoint agents to issue towed watersports endorsements and towed watersports motorboat certificates.

(7) Agents shall issue towed watersports endorsements and towed watersports motorboat certificates in accordance with procedures prescribed by the board by rule and shall charge and collect the endorsement fees prescribed by law.

(8) The board may authorize an agent other than a board employee to charge a service fee of $2, in addition to the towed watersports endorsement fee, for the issuance service performed by the agent.

(9) The board shall supply the agents with towed watersports endorsements and towed watersports motorboat certificates, if applicable. [2019 c.651 § 3; 2022 c.119 § 1]

Section 4, chapter 119, Oregon Laws 2022, provides:

(1) The State Marine Board may conduct a study on increasing or decreasing the maximum loading weight prescribed in ORS § 830.643. If the board undertakes a study, the board shall determine on the basis of objective, peer-reviewed scientific research whether increasing or decreasing the maximum loading weight is likely to:

(a) Have an adverse effect on the waters, beds and banks of this state;

(b) Have an adverse effect on aquatic, nearshore and shoreline habitats, fish and wildlife habitats and salmonid habitats; or

(c) Exceed or violate state or federal turbidity limits.

(2) Before making a determination, the board shall consult with and receive comments from the Department of State Lands, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Environmental Quality.

(3) If the board undertakes a study under this section, the board shall report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment, in the manner provided in ORS § 192.245, on the board’s research, findings, determinations and recommendations, including recommendations for legislative changes, if any. [2022 c.119 § 4]