Washington State Recreational Boating Programs

Melanie Stidham, Amanda Eadrick, research analysts
Ryan McCord, audit director; Eric Thomas, legislative auditor

Boating-related revenues collected by the state support general government purposes and recreational boating activities.

• Recreational boating administration is decentralized, with six state agencies involved.
• Recreational boating generated $108 million in state revenue in the 2021-23 biennium. Taxes and registration fees contributed 75%.
• The state uses boating-related revenue for boating programs and general government. Likewise, it supports boating programs with revenue unrelated to boating.
• State agencies spent $86 million during the 2021-23 biennium on recreational boating activities. About 61% paid for infrastructure like boat ramps and docks.
• Washington is one of 15 states or territories that reported offering grants to local governments for recreational boating programs.

The Legislative Auditor makes no recommendations.