http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?S=14391113

Here is a prime example of age discrimination. A Government entity making younger people have to jump through extra hoops just to drive a boat.

I don't think it's so much age discrimination since it asks all age groups to comply over a period of a few years. It seems more a way to keep from having a sudden rush of applications/tests all the same time. This seems to be their way of keeping the numbers down and keep from having a backlog.

Not sure why they came up with such age based splits though and that alone does discriminate for that short time.
Why not simply require any new boaters require such a license and give everyone say 3 years to do so, maybe even make the expense more each year they wait? Making up prices
Maybe the fee will be $50
This year if you get it done you only have to pay $30
Next yer it's $40
Year three is full price $50
that seems both fair and effective all at the same time?