SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1815

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, MARCH 26, 1993

Brief Description:  Recodifying vessel operation provisions.

SPONSORS: Representatives Rust and Valle

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Barr, Moore, Sutherland, and Talmadge.

Staff:  Shannon Murphy (786‑7483)

Hearing Dates: March 26, 1993

BACKGROUND:

As part of the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1991, the Legislature made reckless operation of a tank vessel and operation of a tank vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol a crime.  These criminal provisions were codified as part of the law governing pilotage.  The laws governing pilotage exclude from their coverage certain vessels that are under enrollment or United States or Canadian vessels engaged in the coasting trade.  These exemptions create a potential that a person operating a tank vessel or a vessel which is exempt from the pilotage provisions might also not be subject to the criminal penalties for reckless operation of a tank vessel or operation of a tank vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

SUMMARY:

The statutes establishing the crimes of reckless operation of a tank vessel and operation of a tank vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are recodified as part of the oil spill prevention and response statutes.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one