The price you pay for your boat's gas from on-the-water pumps in Missouri is expected to drop next month thanks to a change in the motor fuel tax law.
Under the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and signed into law recently by Gov. Jay Nixon, the extra 17 cents in state motor fuel tax currently charged on each gallon of gas sold at on-the-water pumps will no longer exist. Those businesses that have had to pay the extra tax when purchasing gasoline from a supplier will be allowed to claim an exemption with the Missouri Department of Revenue (MDR).
Under the current law, boaters who pay the extra 17-cent tax when purchasing gasoline from on-the-water pumps may be reimbursed for those tax dollars; however, they must save all receipts from those purchases, then present the receipts along with a claim form to the MDR in order to recoup the excess tax dollars.
Another bill recently signed into law by Nixon will change regulations governing the type of fire protection required for boats on state waterways.
Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Rocky Miller, R-Tuscumbia, every Class 2 recreational motorboat that operates in the state will be required to carry two B1-type fire extinguishers, one B2-type fire extinguisher or a fixed fire extinguishing system.
Under current law, Class 2 recreational watercraft are required to carry only one B2 type fire extinguisher. Under Missouri State Statutes, a Class 2 recreational motorboat is defined as a vessel of at least 26 feet but not more than 40 feet in length.
Both changes in state boating and motor fuel tax laws will take effect Aug. 28.