PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Adoption of new administrative rules for the implementation of a boat operator education program as adopted by the Washington state legislature during the 2005 legislative session (chapter 392, Laws of 2005).
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: SSB 5145, chapter 392, Laws of 2005, Boating safety education.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SSB 5145, chapter 392, Laws of 2005, boating safety requires the state Parks and Recreation Commission to establish and implement by rule a program to provide required boating safety education. The commission intends to adopt rules which will enable boat operators to take and pass an accredited boating safety education course, or pass an equivalency exam, or provide proof of completion of a course that meets the standard adopted by the commission and provide a means by which boaters can obtain a boater education card.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state of Washington and the United States exercise concurrent jurisdiction over the waters within the jurisdiction of the state of Washington in the conduct of a recreational boating safety program and have agreed to such relationship through a statement of understanding between the state of Washington, as represented by the state Parks and Recreation Commission, and the United States, as represented by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Through this cooperative agreement the commission is able to coordinate and reach understanding on issues related to boat operator education requirements and the enforcement of state laws.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting James Horan, P.O. Box 42650, 7150 Cleanwater Lane, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, phone (360) 586-6600, fax (360) 586-6603, e-mail James.Horan@parks.wa.gov.
August 1, 2005
Jim French
Cross-State Programs Manager