SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6298

                            AS OF JANUARY 24, 1992

Brief Description:  Decriminalizing certain watercraft violations.

SPONSORS: Senators Erwin, Moore and Craswell

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The penalty for watercraft violations, such as:  speeding, inoperable marking lights, defective muffler equipment, lack of life preservers and water ski violations is currently a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

There is concern that a more appropriate penalty for these violations is a class 2 civil penalty with a fine of $125.

SUMMARY:

Watercraft violations of a less serious nature than driving while intoxicated or failure to stop for an enforcement officer are reduced from a gross misdemeanor to a civil infraction.  Most recreational boating violations are classified as class 2 civil infractions with a fine of $125.  Watercraft registration offense fines are reduced to $50 from $100 for the first offense, $125 from $200 for the second offense, and $250 from $400 for the third and future offenses.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1992