HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6199

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                  Natural Resources & Parks

Title:  An act relating to the boating offense compact.

Brief Description:  Adopting the Boating Offense Compact.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Sutherland and Snyder.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, February 27, 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:  Both Washington and Oregon enforce boating laws on the portion of the Columbia River that flows between the states.  This has contributed to confusion in enforcement of boating laws.

In 1991, the Oregon State Legislature approved a compact asking that the states of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon work together on boating safety enforcement.  SB 6199 is identical to the compact approved by Oregon.

Summary of Bill:  The Boating Offense Compact is enacted into law on behalf of Washington and all other states joining the compact.

The compact finds that safety on waters is affected by the degree of compliance with state laws and local ordinances relating to the operation of boats.  It is the policy of each state to promote compliance with laws, ordinances, and rules relating to recreational boating safety.

Concurrent jurisdiction created under the compact provides that if conduct is prohibited by two adjoining states, law enforcement officers in either state may arrest offenders anywhere on the waters between the two states.  A law enforcement officer of one state could arrest a boat operator of another state, but only for an offense under the laws of the operator's state.  The compact is to be liberally construed.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 24, 1992.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will help to make waterways safer by allowing shore to shore jurisdiction of boating law enforcement officials.  It will help to reduce enforcement confusion.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jim French, Parks and Recreation Commission (in favor); and John Howard, Clark County Sheriff's Office (in favor).