Bill Analysis - HB 1018 Boater Education (Community & Economic Development Committee, 2021-01-20)

Summary

A bill analysis of HB 1018, Concerning boater education, from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research for the Community & Economic Development Committee, with a hearing date of 1/20/21 and Cassie Jones listed as staff. The brief summary states that the bill requires operators of human-propelled boats and vessels to possess a boater education card and eliminates the exemption for individuals born before January 1, 1955. The background says the Parks and Recreation Commission must charge a fee of $10 for a boater education card. It lists the current exemptions and states that failure to possess a card is an infraction punishable by a fine. It lists Appropriation: None, and says a fiscal note was requested on January 14, 2021.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Full text

Washington State                 BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research  ANALYSIS
Community & Economic Development
Committee
                                        HB 1018
Brief Description: Concerning boater education.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Ryu, Ortiz-Self, Goodman and Orwall.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
          • Requires operators of human-propelled boats and vessels to possess a
            boater education card.
          • Eliminates an exemption from the Boater Education Card requirement
            for individuals born before January 1, 1955.


Hearing Date: 1/20/21

Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).

Background:

Boater Education Program.
The Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) is required to establish and implement a
program to provide required boating safety education. The Commission must establish a
minimum standard of boater safety accomplishment. The Commission must also adopt minimum
standards for boating safety education courses of instruction and examination and approve or
provide accreditation to boating safety education courses. 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 meet the standard adopted by the Commission. The Parks and
Recreation Commission is required to charge a fee of $10 for a boater education card.




     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                             -1-                                         HB 1018
Boater Education Cards.
In order to operate a motor-driven boat or vessel of 15 horsepower or greater, a person must be at
least 12 years old and: (1) possess a boater education card; or (2) 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. Those include the following
individuals:
    • operators of a vessel engaged in a law commercial fishery operation;
    • operators with a United States Coast Guard Marine Operator License when operating the
       vessel authorized under the license;
    • operators of vessels exempt from vessel registration requirements, including vessels for
       law enforcement or official government work;
    • operators of rented, leased, or chartered motor driven boats and vessels who complete the
       Commission-approved educational checklist in lieu of a boater education card;
    • persons who are not residents of Washington and do not operate a motor driven boat or
       vessel for more than sixty consecutive days;
    • persons who are not Washington residents and who hold a current out-of-state certificate
       that is equivalent to the rule adopted by the Commission;
    • persons who purchased the boat or vessel within the last 60 days and have a bill of sale in
       his or her possession;
    • persons, including those less than 12 years of age, who are involved in practicing for or
       engaging, a permitted racing event; and
    • any person born before January 1, 1955.

Failure to possess a boater education card as required by law is an infraction punishable by a
fine; however, the penalty must be waived if the boater provides proof to the court within 60
days that he or she has received a boater education card.

Summary of Bill:

Operators of human-powered boats and vessels are generally subject to the same rules and
requirements relating to boater education cards as operators of motor-driven vessels of 15
horsepower or greater, including the requirement to possess a boater education card while
operating the boat or vessel.

"Human-powered boats and vessels" is defined as all boats and vessels that are human-propelled
and includes, but is not limited to, canoes, kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards.

An exemption to the boater education card requirement for persons born before January 1, 1955
is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 14, 2021.


House Bill Analysis                            -2-                                        HB 1018
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.




House Bill Analysis                            -3-                                         HB 1018


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