1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, a person shall not operate a vessel on the waters of this State unless the person has:

(a) Paid to the Department the aquatic invasive species fee established pursuant to subsection 4; and

(b) Attached the aquatic invasive species decal issued pursuant to subsection 2 to the port side transom of the vessel so that the decal is distinctly visible.

2. The Department shall issue to a person who pays the fee established pursuant to subsection 4 an aquatic invasive species decal as evidence of the payment of the aquatic invasive species fee.

3. The Department shall fix a day and month of the year on which an aquatic invasive species decal expires. Only a valid decal may be displayed on a vessel.

4. The Commission shall establish by regulation an annual aquatic invasive species fee, which:

(a) For a motorboat which is owned by a person in this State or operated by a person on the waters of this State, must not exceed $12; and

(b) For a vessel, other than a motorboat, which is owned by a person in this State or operated by a person on the waters of this State, must not exceed $5.

5. Each aquatic invasive species decal is valid for 1 year, or 2 years if allowed by regulations adopted by the Commission. The Commission may adopt regulations for the renewal of an aquatic invasive species decal. The fee for the issuance or renewal of the decal for 2 years, if allowed, is an amount which is equal to twice the annual fee set forth in subsection 4. The fee for the issuance or renewal of an aquatic invasive species decal must be deposited in the Wildlife Account in the State General Fund and used by the Department for enforcement of this section and NRS 488.530, 488.533 and 503.597 and for education about and management of aquatic invasive species.

6. The provisions of this section do not apply to a person who operates a vessel on the waters of:

(a) The Colorado River, Lake Mead or Lake Mohave if, as determined by the Department, the vessel is registered in Arizona and Arizona has a program in effect for the management of aquatic invasive species; or

(b) Lake Tahoe or Topaz Lake if, as determined by the Department, the vessel is registered in California and California has a program in effect for the management of aquatic invasive species.

(Added to NRS by 2011, 2403; A 2013, 433; 2015, 104; 2017, 3641)