It opens as a PDF file from the DMV website.
http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/vin_ ... 3vin20.pdf
The info is below; however it loses formatting in the copy from the PDF.
This is info for the 2015 sticker/registration.
Vehicle Industry News VIN 2013–20
New Quagga/Zebra Mussel Fee for Vessels
Issue Date: October 14, 2013
New Information
This memo supersedes the VIN 2013-19 Quagga/Zebra Mussel Fee for Vessels memo.
Effective immediately, a Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Fee (Mussel
Fee) is due upon original and renewal vessel registration with a date fees due of
December 31, 2013. Vessels not required to be registered in California and the following
registered vessels are exempt from the fee:
Vessels used only in marine waters
Annual exempt youth group (type license code [TLC] V6)
Annual exempt government (TLC V7)
CF numbers issued to dealers (TLC V3)
CF numbers issued to manufacturers (TLC V4)
A handout of Questions and Answers on the Quagga and Zebra Infestation Prevention
Fee (see attachment B) may be distributed to customers who inquire about the fee.
Mussel Fee
Programming is in place to collect the Mussel Fee (generates as QMF on the
GENERATED FEES screen) for vessels, as follows:
$8 for original vessel registration when the date fees due is in an even-numbered
year.
$16 for:
Original vessel registration when the date fees due is in an odd-numbered year.
Vessel registration renewal.
NOTE: The Mussel Fee is not subject to a late penalty fee.
Mussel Fee Paid Sticker
The “Mussel Fee Paid” sticker (see attachment A) must be attached to the vessel as
evidence of payment of the Mussel Fee. The Mussel Fee Paid sticker allows the vessel to
be operated in all waters of the state, unless expressly prohibited. Vessels that are
exempt from the fee are not required to display the sticker.
Marine Waters Exemption
Marine water is defined by the California State Parks Division of Boating and
Waterways (DBW) as coastal and bay waters, which includes Suisun Bay. Owners of
vessels operating in inland waterways, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, or the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta cannot claim a marine water exemption.
The owner of a vessel used only in marine waters must notify the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) to claim exemption from the fee upon original vessel registration and
each time the vessel registration is renewed.
VR 2013-17 © 2013 State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles. All rights reserved. Visit our Web Site—
www.dmv.ca.gov
VIN 2013-20
Page 2 of 3
Marine Waters Exemption, continued
A vessel owner may notify DMV of the marine water exemption for:
An original application by:
Submitting a completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) stating “This vessel is
used only in marine waters” in section G.
Checking the box for marine waters Mussel Fee exemption on the Application for
Registration Number Certificate of Ownership and Certificate of Number for
Undocumented Vessel (BOAT 101) form (currently being revised to add the box).
A vessel renewal application by:
Checking the appropriate box on the vessel registration renewal notice.
Submitting a completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating “This vessel
is used only in marine waters” in section G.
Checking the appropriate box on the DMV website’s Vehicle Registration
Internet Renewal (VRIR) page.
Renewing by phone using the department’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
system and verbally notifying DMV of the exemption.
NOTE: After claiming an exemption, a vessel owner may pay later the Mussel
Fee for the current registration period.
EXAMPLE: The vessel will begin operating in nonexempt waters.
Distribution of Mussel Fee Paid Sticker
Business partners automation (BPA) program participants will continue to follow
existing procedures for ordering inventory. Order Mussel Fee Paid stickers in packages
of 100 using inventory stock number 11105-5 (2015 MUSSEL FEE PAID sticker).
Procedures
A new MUSSEL FEE field has been added to the DATA COLLECT screen for original
and nonoriginal vessel registration transactions with a date fees due or renewal
expiration date of December 31, 2013. Keying instructions are as follows:
If the Vessel Application Is for… Do the Following in
the MUSSEL FEE
Field…
This Will Generate a
QMF Amount of …
An original registration,
Leave blank $8 or $16, based on the
date fees became due or
renewal date.
A renewal of registration, Leave blank $16
Operation in marine waters only
(fee exempt),
Key “E” $0
A substitute Mussel Fee Paid sticker,* Key “S” $16
A Mussel Fee Paid sticker after the
owner claimed an exemption,*
Key “Y” $16
* Can only be keyed if the registration is current and the work date is December 31, 2013,
or later. (If prior to December 31, 2013, submit the application to DMV for processing.)
VIN 2013-20
Page 3 of 3
Mussel Fee Paid Sticker Issuance
When a completed vessel transaction includes payment of the Mussel Fee, a Mussel Fee
Paid sticker must be issued manually; the sticker will not be issued programmatically,
displayed on the TRANSACTION INVENTORY SUMMARY screen, or be printed on the
registration card. Do not issue Mussel Fee Paid stickers to fee-exempt vessels.
The Mussel Fee Paid sticker is a “controlled” item which has a serial number at the
bottom and requires the issuing office to manually log issuance information and store
copies of the log for two years.
BPA Reporting Procedures
Daily
Record vessel CF numbers and the Mussel Fee Paid sticker serial numbers in the
Inventory Tracking Log (see attachment C).
Log damaged or voided Mussel Fee Paid stickers in the Inventory Tracking Log.
Write “VOID” across damaged or voided stickers and attach them to the log.
Monthly
Before the 15th of each month, complete the Quagga Mussel Fee Sticker Monthly
Inventory Report (see attachment D) with the number of Mussel Fee stickers issued,
voided, or destroyed during the previous month and e-mail the report to Leah Williams
in the BPA program at
Leah.Williams@dmv.ca.gov.
Background
Legislation authorized the California State Parks DBW to require DMV to impose and
collect an additional Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Fee on all vessels
required to be registered in this state (except exempt vessels and those used solely in
marine waters) upon original vessel registration and each time the vessel registration is
renewed.
Distribution
Notification that this memo is available online, at
www.dmv.ca.gov under Publications
was made via California DMV’s Automated E-mail Alert System in October 2013.
References
Harbors and Navigation Code §675
California Vehicle Code §§9851, 9853, 9860, and 9863
Contact
Call the DMV Customer Communications Section, at (916) 657-6560 for further
clarification of this memo. Upon request, this document can be produced in Braille or
large print.
Attachments (4)
Attachment A
2015 MUSSEL FEE PAID STICKER
Front
Reverse
HOW TO APPLY
READ APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING
1. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE OR REPOSITION
THIS STICKER AFTER APPLICATION. TO
DO SO WILL RESULT IN THE DESTRUCTION
OF THIS STICKER.
2. REMOVE ANY PRIOR YEAR STICKER.
3. BE SURE THE SURFACE WHERE THE STICKER
IS TO BE MOUNTED IS CLEAN AND DRY.
4. PEEL OFF THE PROTECTIVE BACKING.
5. POSITION THE STICKER AND SQUEEGEE DOWN
FIRMLY.
3”
WHERE TO APPLY
AFFIX ONE STICKER TO EACH SIDE OF THE VESSEL,
NEXT TO, AND IN LINE WITH THE CF NUMBER AND
REGISTRATION STICKER, AS ILLUSTRATED BELOW.
THIS STICKER IS EVIDENCE OF PAYMENT OF THE
QUAGGA AND ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATION
PREVENTION FEE AND ALLOWS THIS VESSEL TO
BE OPERATED IN ALL WATERS OF THE STATE
UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED.
3”
Attachment B
Questions and Answers
Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Fee
Q: What are Quagga or Zebra Mussels and why is infestation prevention needed?
A: Quagga and Zebra mussels are small (¼ inch to 2 inches) freshwater non-native mussels. Wherever
Quagga or Zebra mussels have spread, they have altered the ecology (food chain) and caused
economic damage by attaching in large colonies to the outside and/or inside of underwater
structures, pipes, water intakes, vessels, and vessel engines. They spread by releasing microscopic
larvae into the water, so even water left in the boat, engine, livewell, bilge spaces, trailer, or vehicle
from an infected body of water can spread the mussels to a new area. Once there, they are extremely
difficult and costly to eliminate. Additional information can be obtained from the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife website at
www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel/.
Q: Why does my boat (vessel) registration include an additional fee for Quagga and Zebra Mussel
Infestation Prevention?
A: Recent legislation requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to collect the additional fee on
behalf of the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) within the Department of Parks and
Recreation on all vessels subject to registration in California.
Q: When is the fee due?
A: The fee is due upon original vessel registration and biennially upon vessel registration renewal.
Q: How much is the fee?
A: If the date fees due for an original vessel registration is in an odd-numbered year, the initial fee is
$16. If the date fees due for an original vessel registration is in an even-numbered year, the initial fee
is $8. For vessel renewals, the fee is $16.
Q: Are there any exemptions?
A: Vessels used exclusively in marine waters are exempt from the additional fee. Fee-exempt vessels
(government, qualified youth groups, etc.) and CF Numbers issued to vessel dealers and
manufacturers (type license codes V3 and V4) are exempt from the new program and fee.
Q: What is the difference between marine waters and freshwater?
A: Marine waters are bodies of water that contain saltwater (oceans, seas, etc.) while freshwater
consists of water that is not salty (lakes, rivers, etc.). Additional information can be obtained from the
Division of Boating and Waterways.
Q: How do I claim the exemption?
A: To claim the exemption on a renewal application, the vessel owner may notify DMV by
checking the appropriate box on the vessel renewal notice or on the DMV website, verbally notifying
the department when using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at 1-800-777-0133), or
submitting a completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) form. For original vessel registration
applications, the vessel owner may claim the exemption by checking the appropriate box on the
Application for Registration Number Certificate of Ownership and Certificate of Number for
Undocumented Vessel (BOAT 101) form or submitting a completed REG 256.
Q: Will I receive an additional sticker?
A: A unique identifying sticker will be issued for the vessel as evidence of payment of the Mussel fee
which must be attached to the vessel. The sticker allows the vessel to be operated in all waters of the
state unless expressly prohibited. Fee-exempt vessels and CF Numbers issued to vessel dealers and
manufacturers (type license code V3 and V4) are exempt from the program and fee. These vessels
are not required to display the sticker.
Q: What is the additional fee used for?
A: Funds from this additional fee will be used to implement and administer non-native mussel
monitoring, inspection, and infestation prevention programs.
Q: What is the fee for a replacement sticker?
A: The fee for a replacement sticker is $16.
Q: Can the fee be waived?
A: The fee can be waived only for a replacement/substitute sticker when the vessel owner indicates on
DMV’s Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form that the original
Mussel fee sticker was not received from the department.
Q: Can I pay for the Mussel fee sticker for a vessel for which an exemption from the fee has been
previously reported to the DMV?
A: Yes. A vessel owner may choose to pay the fee after claiming an exemption for a vessel “used
exclusively in marine waters.” The fee remains $16. The same rule applies to a vessel that is sold
after an exemption has been reported to the DMV and the new owner wishes to pay the fee.
Q: If I pay for the vessel registration renewal and $16 for the Mussel Fee sticker, but later decide not
to operate the vessel in fresh waters, can I get a refund?
A: A refund of the Mussel fee paid upon original vessel registration and vessel registration renewal
is subject to established business rules and processing procedures for an application for refund.
Page 2
Q: Will I still need to have a boat inspection even if I have the Quagga and Zebra Mussel sticker?
A: Certain lakes and other bodies of water throughout the state of California require inspections prior to
launching a boat. These inspections are not administered by DMV. Contact the specific water body
you plan to visit for information regarding whether an inspection and/or fee will be required.
Q: Who can I contact if I would like more information regarding the Quagga and Zebra Mussel
Infestation Prevention program?
A: For additional information, visit the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of
Boating and Waterways’ website at
www.dbw.ca.gov or call 1-888-326-2822.
Page 3
Attachment C
2015
OFFICE MONTH
OFFICE ID YEAR
TECH ID DATE CF NUMBER VOID DESTROYED
QUAGGA MUSSEL FEE STICKER
INVENTORY TRACKING LOG
STICKER SERIAL NO. COMMENTS
Attachment D
MONTH
REGION YEAR
ISSUED DESTROYED
NO. OF STICKERS
MONTHLY INVENTORY REPORT
OFFICE
CODE
BUSINESS
PARTNER
BUSINESS PARTNER
CONTACT
BUSINESS PARTNER
PHONE NO.
BUSINESS PARTNER
NOTES
2015 QUAGGA MUSSEL FEE STICKER
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