BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 337
86R3566 AAF-D	By: Larson (Campbell)
	Water & Rural Affairs
	4/24/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 337 would add a section to Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code, that requires all motorboats 26 feet in length equipped with an emergency engine cutoff switch to utilize that emergency cutoff switch. This bill is a direct result of the death of Kali Gorzell, who on July 20, 2012, fell over the front of the boat that she was on and was struck by the propeller as it passed over her.

 

H.B. 337 amends current law relating to the use of emergency engine cutoff switches on motorboats.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 31.1071, as follows:

 

Sec. 31.1071. OPERATION OF MOTORBOAT WITH EMERGENCY ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH. (a) Defines "engine cutoff switch" for purposes of this section.

 

(b) Prohibits 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:

 

(1) 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

 

(2) if using a wireless attachment, properly attaching to each individual on the motorboat an operational man-overboard transmitter.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.