BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 210
86R3566 AAF-D	By: Campbell
	Water & Rural Affairs
	3/14/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 210 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.

As proposed, S.B. 210 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."

(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, 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.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.