BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1988

By: Larson

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that a serious boating accident can occur when a driver of a boat loses control and is knocked down or out of the boat. H.B. 1988 seeks to help prevent injury or death due to a boating accident by setting out requirements relating to the use of an emergency engine cutoff switch on certain motorboats.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 1988 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to prohibit a motorboat operator from operating a motorboat less than 26 feet in length and equipped by the manufacturer with an engine cutoff switch while the engine is running and the motorboat is underway without first verifying that the switch is operational and fully functional and, if using a lanyard attachment, properly attaching the lanyard as appropriate for the specific motorboat to the operator's body or to the clothing or personal flotation device being worn by the operator, or, if using a wireless attachment, properly attaching to each individual on the motorboat an operational man-overboard transmitter.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.