SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6199

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 17, 1992

Brief Description:  Adopting the Boating Offense Compact.

SPONSORS: Senators Sutherland and Snyder

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Conner, Owen, Snyder, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: January 30, 1992

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 anywhere on the waters between the two states.  A law officer of one state could arrest a boat operator of another state, but only for an offense under laws of the operator's state.  The compact is to be liberally construed. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The compact will benefit boat users, reduce enforcement confusion and provide a more fair program.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Nina Carter, Mark Kenny, Washington State Parks; Theodore E. Nutting, U.S. Coast Guard; Jim Kennedy, Benton County Sheriff; Brian Pedersen, Cowlitz County Sheriff