SB 6513-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires the commission to establish and implement by rule a program to provide required boating safety education. The boating education program must include training on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Provides that, to obtain a boater education card, a boater must provide a certificate of accomplishment issued by a boating educator for taking and passing an accredited boating safety course, or pass an equivalency exam, or provide proof of completion of a course that meets the standard adopted by the commission.

Provides that a person may not operate motor driven boats and vessels under mechanical power of ten horsepower or more unless the person: (1) Is at least sixteen years of age; and

(2) Has in his or her possession a boater education card or a certificate of accomplishment; or

(3) Is accompanied by and is under the direct supervision of a person sixteen years of age or older who is in possession of a boater education card or certificate of accomplishment, or who is exempt from carrying a boater education card.

Designates persons that are exempt from the requirement to carry a boater education card.

Creates the boating safety education certification account in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from fees collected for the issuance of a boater safety education card must be deposited into the account.

Provides that, during the biennium ending June 30, 2005, the interagency committee for outdoor recreation shall provide a grant of up to three hundred fifty thousand dollars to the commission to develop the boating safety education program described in this act.