SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5691

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: Current law requires the State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) to adopt and enforce recreational boating safety rules, including equipment and navigating requirements, consistent with the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) regulations.

In 2005 the Legislature required the Commission to establish and provide a mandatory Boating Safety Education Program. The program is being phased in so that all non-exempt boaters are required to obtain a boater education card by January 1, 2016.

The Coast Guard administers the Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program. The Commission receives an RBS grant, which requires Washington State's Recreational Boating Safety Program to have:

a vessel numbering system;
a Cooperative Boating Safety Assistance Program with the Coast Guard including sufficient patrol and other activity to ensure adequate enforcement of applicable state boating safety laws and regulations;
a state boating safety education program that includes the dissemination of information concerning the hazards of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and
a marine casualty reporting system.

The Coast Guard's RBS grant is limited to one-half of the total cost of the state's boating program. The state must provide matching funds from general state revenues, undocumented vessel numbering and license fees, or state marine fuels taxes. The RBS grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis; the state receives no funds in advance. The state must first spend state resource funds and then be reimbursed up to 50 percent by the RBS grant funds.

Summary of Bill: Within existing funds, the Commission must develop a plan to implement the following:

increase law enforcement presence on the waterways;
increase training for state and local marine law enforcement;
increase enforcement of boating laws including alcohol and drug-related boating;
designate the Department of Fish and Wildlife as a boating safety program;
maximize existing funding sources for on the water marine law enforcement activities;
enhance state and local marine law enforcement capabilities to conduct vessel inspections.

The plan must include provisions for funding provided to the state from the Coast Guard's RBS grant program to allocate 20 percent of the funds to the Commission and the remaining 80 percent to approved boating safety programs. The plan must include timelines for the implementation of these recommendations. A report detailing the status of the implementation must be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2009.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION COMMITTEE (Proposed First Substitute): Requires, within funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), in consultation with the Commission, recreational boating stakeholders, and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to:

Contract for a quantification of the needs identified in past studies and reports;
Develop program standards;
Determine state and local responsibilities;
Establish a standardized and specialized training plan;
Identify best practices for education and law enforcement activities; and
Review the funding and expenditures of the state's boating programs.

Requires a preliminary report to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2010. The final report is due by December 1, 2010.

Designates the Department of Fish and Wildlife as an approved boating program for the purpose of obtaining increased federal matching funds and for the ability to compete for funds administered by the Commission.

The act may be referred to as the Recreational Boating Services and Safety Improvement Act of 2009.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill creates a plan for a structured discussion on how to increase boating safety on our waterways. It is important to examine the efficiencies of the current funding levels in the State Park's program and the allocation of the federal grant funds. In order to improve safety on the water it would help to put more money into local marine law enforcement. Various studies have stated the need for more local marine law enforcement on the waterways to enforce the boating laws. Boater education is best when done right on the water.

CON: The reallocation of 80 percent of the federal funds for local marine law enforcement will throw the rest of the state program out of balance. The other required elements of the state program are essential as well and should not be neglected. Spending only 20 percent of the federal funds on these required components could jeopardize all the federal monies. There are currently 52 local boating safety programs that receive 70 to 75 percent of the state's Recreational Boating Safety Distribution. The current State Parks Boating Program is well-rounded and provides for a balance of funds for local marine law enforcement and boating safety education.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Brandland, prime sponsor; Mike Harum, Ed Holmes, Jo Arlow, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Bruce Bjork, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; James McMahan, Washington Association of County Officials.

CON: Steve Greaves, Washington Boating Alliance; Jim King, David Kutz, Recreational Boating Association of Washington; Steven Meacham, Windseekers Sailing Club; Fred Romero, James Horan, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.