House Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Lock Haven, speaks to a group of Future Farmers of America earlier this year.

A state lawmaker wants to make it easier to use a kayak in Pennsylvania lakes and rivers.

Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Lock Haven, has introduced legislation (House Bill 2511) that would eliminate the state’s licensing of boats that don’t have a motor. It would also eliminate the requirement for such boats to have a launch permit or registration.

“A vast majority of states recognize that non-motor-powered boats should be exempt from these requirements, and Pennsylvania is one of the last states to still place these burdens on boaters,” Borowicz wrote in her sponsorship memorandum. “Non-motor-powered boats should be exempt from these obstacles, and my legislation will ease everyone’s access to the aquatic recreational opportunities available throughout the state.”

Unpowered boats like kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards as well as rowboats and sailboats without motors must have a boat registration, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launch permit, or a DCNR State Parks launch permit to use Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lakes and access areas or Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests access areas. An unpowered boat may have either a registration or a launch permit but is not required to have both.

An unpowered boat registration costs $22 and is good for two years while a launch permit also costs $22 for two years but is not recognized by other states.

Pennsylvania is one of seven states that requires canoe and kayak owners to register or pay special taxes on their boats. The other states are Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio.

Boat title and registration fees generate most of the revenue for Pennsylvania’s Fish Fund and its Boat Fund. Boat Fund revenues increased by 25.7% from 2018-19 through 2020-21 as the COVID-19 pandemic drove more people toward outdoor recreation.

The Allegheny National Forest lists 16 separate areas for non-motorized boats to be launched or used, including the riffles on the Clarion River and calmer paddles on the Allegheny River through Warren and then to Buckaloons.