SB 5483-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that no person shall act in the capacity of a paid whitewater river outfitter, or advertise in any newspaper or magazine or any other trade publication, or represent himself or herself as a whitewater river outfitter in the state, without first obtaining a whitewater river outfitter's license from the department of licensing in accordance with RCW 88.12.275.

     Provides that no person may act as a guide unless the individual is at least eighteen years of age and has successfully completed:  (1) A lifesaving training course; and

     (2) a program of guide training on whitewater rivers.

     Requires the commission to adopt rules that designate as whitewater rivers all sections of rivers with at least one class III rapid or greater, as described in the American Whitewater Affiliation's whitewater safety code.  The commission is authorized to consider the imposition of a schedule of fines for minor violations.