SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5597
As of February 3, 2023
Title: An act relating to modifying boater safety and education requirements.
Brief Description: Modifying boater safety and education requirements.
Sponsors: Senators Van De Wege and Lovick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: 2/06/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Directs the State Parks and Recreation Commission to implement a boater safety education program for a boater operating a human-powered vessel by January 1, 2024.
  • Requires an operator of a human-powered vessel to obtain a $10 paddle education card.
  • Expires a boater education card and a paddle education card 20 years after the date of issuance.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER, NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS
Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7428)
Background:

The Parks and Recreation Commission (commission) manages a required boating safety education program in Washington.  The commission must establish a minimum standard of boater safety accomplishment, and adopt minimum standards for boating safety education.  To obtain a boater education card, a boater must provide a certificate of accomplishment issued by a boater educator for taking and passing an accredited boating safety education course, or equivalency exam, or provide proof of completion of a course that meets the standard adopted by the commission.  The fee for a boater education card is $10.   
 
To operate a motor-driven boat or vessel of 15 horsepower or greater, a person must be at least 12 years old, and possess a boater education card; or be accompanied by and under the supervision of a person at least 16 years old who has a boater education card.  Certain individuals are not required to have a boater education card, including a person at least 12 years old renting a vessel who completes a commission-approved safety operating and equipment checklist, or any person born before January 1, 1955.

 
Failure to possess a boater education card as required by law is a natural resource infraction punishable by a fine; however, the penalty must be waived if the boater provides proof to the court, within 60 days, that they received a boater education card.
Summary of Bill:

The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute):

By January 1, 2024, the commission is required to establish and implement a program to provide required boating safety education for boaters operating a human-powered vessel.  A paddle education card may be issued to a person who successfully completes a human-powered vessel boating safety education program, and pays a $10 registration fee. 
 
A person operating a human-powered vessel is not required to obtain a paddle education card if they are renting and operating the vessel under the guidance of a rental business, and they complete a commission-approved abbreviated program or checklist.  Human-powered vessels include, but are not limited to, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.  A human-powered vessel does not include a surfboard.  A person possessing a boater education card is not required to obtain a paddle education card to operate a human-powered vessel.
 
A boater education card and a paddle education card expire 20 years after the date of issuance.  A person may renew their boater or paddle education card by providing the commission a certificate of accomplishment issued by a boating educator for taking and passing an accredited boating safety education course; passing an equivalency exam developed by the commission; or providing the commission proof of completion of a course that meets the standard adopted by the commission.

 

The exemptions to the boater education card requirement for a person operating a motor driven boat or vessel with a mechanical power of 15 horsepower or less, or a person born before January 1, 1955, are eliminated.  A provision allowing a person that demonstrates they have successfully completed a substantially equivalent boater education course prior to July 24, 2005 to obtain a boater education card is repealed.
 
Failure to possess a paddle education card as required is a natural resource infraction punishable by fine.  The commission is directed to adopt a digital option for boater education and paddle education cards.  A member of a federally recognized tribe is exempt from the boater education and paddle education requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 1, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.