FINAL BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6199

                                   C 33 L 92

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Adopting the Boating Offense Compact.

SPONSORS: Senators Sutherland and Snyder

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

BACKGROUND:

An interstate compact between Oregon and Washington would eliminate confusion in enforcing boating laws on the Columbia River.

In 1991, the Oregon State Legislature approved a compact asking that the states of Idaho, Washington and Oregon work together on boating safety enforcement.  The compact would give enforcement officers of each state the authority to appear in court and to enforce another state's laws.  The compact states could also work to achieve more uniformity in the boating safety laws.

SUMMARY:

The compact provides that safety on waters is materially 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.

The concurrent jurisdiction created provides that if conduct is prohibited by two adjoining states, law enforcement officers in either state may arrest offenders.  A law officer of one state can arrest a boat operator of another state for an offense under laws of the operator's state.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      41    0

House 92    0

EFFECTIVE:  June 11, 1992