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CS/SB 606 — Boating Safety
by Appropriations Committee and Senator Garcia
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Environment and Natural Resources Committee (EN)
The bill defines a livery as a person who advertises and offers a livery vessel for use by another in exchange for consideration, when such person does not also provide a captain, crew, or any type of personnel to operate, oversee, maintain, or manage the vessel.
The bill requires that liveries obtain a no-cost, annual livery permit and implement certain safety requirements. The bill adds penalties for violations of livery requirements. It also requires that a livery obtain and carry in full force and effect an insurance policy that insures the livery and the renter. The bill exempts human-powered vessels from the insurance requirement. Amendments to the livery regulations contained in the bill will take effect January 1, 2023.
The bill adds required components to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)-approved boating safety education courses and temporary certificate examinations and requires the operator of a vessel used in water sport or activity instruction to use an engine cutoff switch when a participant is in the water. These requirements will take effect October 1, 2022.
The bill increases or adds penalties for noncriminal infractions of vessel safety laws. It increases the additional civil penalty for noncriminal infractions of vessel laws from $50 to $100. It directs certain penalties to the Marine Resource Conservation Trust Fund to supplement law enforcement activities.
The bill requires the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to maintain a program to ensure compliance with mandatory boating safety education requirements.
The bill requires a physical residential or business address for vessel registration applicants, with a limited exception for live-aboard vessel owners.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2022 unless otherwise provided.
Vote: Senate 36-1; House 112-1