BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hopson
Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Mandatory Boating Safety Education legislation was passed in 1997. However, persons age 18 and over were exempt from the requirements. Boating statistics indicated the average age of a person involved in boating accidents is 36 years, and only 15% have completed a boating safety course. There are no course requirements for operators of a vessel carrying passengers for hire.
C.S.H.B. 3051 removes the age 18 exemption, making boating safety education a requirement for all persons born on or after September 1, 1984 as well as for boaters who operate a vessel carrying passengers for hire.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 3051 amends the Parks & Wildlife Code to avoid conflict between the terms "motorboat" and "vessel" and clarifies the term "federal regulations." The bill further amends the Parks & Wildlife Code by making it an offense to allow a person under age 18 to operate a personal watercraft in a prohibited manner, and makes boating safety courses a requirement for all appropriate persons who operate a vessel carrying passengers for hire.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
C.S.H.B. 3051 requires anyone who is operating the appropriate motor vessel to have with them a boater education card or some other form of proof that shows that they have completed the boating safety course.