Race Day Live A new bill in Oregon could more than double the cost for outfitters and guides to register their business.
House Bill 2558, proposed by the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB), aims to raise fees to help fund a program focused on client safety.
If passed, the bill would increase the annual registration cost for outfitters from $150 to $350. It would also introduce a new $25 annual fee for employee guides—workers who take customers on trips for activities like fishing, rafting, hunting, and scenic tours.
Why Is Oregon Raising the Fees?
The main reason for the fee increase is to support the enforcement of safety standards for guides. The program ensures guides have the necessary certifications, background checks, and insurance to keep customers safe.
Brian Paulsen, the boating safety program manager at OSMB, said the fee hike is about maintaining the program, not expanding it. He pointed to past accidents, including a fatal one in 2015, as reasons why strong safety enforcement is necessary.
OSMB also stated that the cost of running the program now exceeds its revenue. The extra funds would help maintain enforcement efforts, such as cracking down on unlicensed guides. Despite the increase, Oregon’s fees would still be among the lowest in the western U.S.
Another reason for the change is to comply with federal laws. Right now, Oregon charges higher fees for out-of-state guides, which violates interstate commerce laws. The bill would set a single flat fee for all guides, regardless of where they live.
Concerns From Guides
Some outfitters worry that the new fees, especially the $25 employee guide fee, could be a burden. Businesses that hire many seasonal guides, like rafting companies, say the added cost could make operations more difficult.
Erik Weiseth, who runs Orange Torpedo Trips in Merlin, said his company’s fees could increase by 750%-800%. He called the jump “not incremental or insignificant.”
Pete Wallstrom, owner of Momentum River Expeditions in Ashland, supported safety rules but said that Oregon’s small businesses were already struggling with complex regulations. “The last three years have brought so many changes, whether from government, insurance companies, or recreation laws. It’s tough for small businesses to keep up.”
Both Weiseth and Wallstrom also said the bill’s language was unclear. They claimed that the OSMB’s explanation of the employee guide fee did not match what was written in the legislation.
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What Happens Next?
The bill is currently in the Oregon House’s Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee. No hearings have been scheduled yet.
If the bill passes, OSMB will create new rules to implement the employee guide fee system. According to OSMB spokeswoman Ashley Massey, the $25 fee will cover the administrative costs of registering employee guides.
Why Can’t Oregon Keep Charging More for Out-of-State Guides?
OSMB said that Oregon’s current fee structure violates federal law.
A similar case in California led to a lawsuit, forcing the state to lower fees for out-of-state guides. OSMB believes that bringing Oregon’s system into legal alignment will make it easier to update the program in the future.
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