HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2543

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                  Natural Resources & Parks

Title:  An act relating to reorganizing recreational boating laws.

Brief Description:  Reorganizing the recreational boating code.

Sponsor(s):  Representative Beck.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, February 6, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Belcher, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dellwo; Fraser; Hargrove; Morton; Riley; Sheldon; and Wynne.

Staff:  Randy Acker (786-7129).

Background:  The state's boating safety laws are contained in 40 sections spread over seven chapters in the RCW.  Concerns have been expressed that this structure is confusing and difficult to use.

Summary of Bill:  The boating safety statutes are moved to Chapter 88.12 RCW (Regulation of Motor Boats) and recodified under this chapter.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Current laws on boating are distributed among many chapters.  This makes it difficult for the boating public as well as law enforcement officers.  If all the laws are in one place, the laws will be easier to understand and likely improve compliance.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jim French, State Parks and Recreation Commission (in favor);  Darren O'Neil, Lewis County Sheriff's Office (in favor); Ross Herberholz, Pierce County Sheriff's Office (in favor); and Ken Carlson, Olympia Police Department (in favor).