The House Resources Committee debated killing HB 533, the bill to raise non-motorized boat invasive species stickers from $5 to $7, after hearing from advocates for non-motorized boaters that they're bearing too much of the cost of the invasive species program, and they'd be glad to work with the state to come up with a better plan. The $2 fee hike is intended to provide a vendor fee; it wouldn't increase funding for efforts against the invasive quagga and zebra mussel. Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, said the whole program's been rushed. "I am very uncomfortable that we don't have a good business plan for a species that has the potential to do a tremendous amount of damage on our waterways," Hagedorn said.

Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d'Alene, said, "Boating season's coming up and I'm thinking of Lake Coeur d'Alene." It gets more out-of-state boats than any other lake in the state, he said. "Maybe the plan isn't perfect, but we need to push ahead with the progress that's been made, and I think this legislation attempts to do that." Hagedorn's motion to kill the bill failed, 5-11, and the panel then voted to approve the fee-hike bill and send it to the full House.

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