PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATION S.B. 484: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 484 (as introduced 5-9-07)
Sponsor: Senator Wayne Kuipers
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Date Completed: 5-22-07
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to prohibit a person younger than 18 from operating a personal watercraft without obtaining a boating safety certificate. This would replace language that prohibits a person born after December 31, 1978, from operating a personal watercraft unless he or she first obtains a boating safety certificate.
The bill would retain a provision allowing a person who is 12 or 13 years old to use a personal watercraft only if all of the following circumstances exist:
-- He or she is accompanied solely by his or her parent or legal guardian.
-- Both the individual and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate.
-- The personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, and the parent or legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device.
-- The personal watercraft is designed to carry at least two people.
MCL 324.80215 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Lindsay Hollander
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb484/0708