JUMPING FROM PIER S.B. 629: REVISED COMMITTEE SUMMARY


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Senate Bill 629 (as introduced 6-28-07)
Sponsor: Senator Ron Jelinek
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs


Date Completed: 9-17-07

CONTENT The bill would amend Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do both of the following:

-- Prohibit a person from jumping, diving, or swimming from a pier or similar structure located in the Great Lakes or their connecting waters, and designate a violation as a State civil infraction.
-- Provide that Part 801 would apply to water-based activities.

The bill would prohibit a person from jumping, diving, or swimming from a pier, jetty, breakwater, or other similar structure, or a buoy or other navigational device, that was located in the Great Lakes or their connecting waters. A person who violated this prohibition would be responsible for a State civil infraction and could be ordered to pay a civil fine of up to $500.


The prohibition would not apply to authorized public safety personnel undertaking a rescue or conducting training.


Part 801 currently applies to vessels and associated equipment used, to be used, or carried in vessels used on waters subject to the jurisdiction of this State. Under the bill, Part 801 also would apply to water-based activities.


MCL 324.80108 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the State. The prohibition on jumping, diving, and swimming from a pier or similar structure located in the Great Lakes or their connecting waters would require additional enforcement hours, increasing the current cost of marine enforcement by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and local law enforcement. There also could be some costs associated with updating signage to reflect the new restriction. Revenue from the increase in civil fines would vary depending on the number of violations and the amount of court-imposed fines. Civil fine revenue not allocated in statute to a specific fund is dedicated to the State's public libraries.

Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels

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. sb629/0708