Brief (1)
SB 536, as amended, would require anyone who is at least 11 years of age to successfully complete a boating safety course in order to operate a motorboat or sailboat. The Department of Wildlife and Parks would coordinate and administer the safety courses and could charge a fee for materials and supplies. Exemptions from this requirement include persons born before January 1, 1989, persons 21 years of age or older, and persons operating a motorboat or sailboat under the direct audible supervision of an individual at least 18 years of age who possesses a boating safety certificate or who is exempt from the boating safety certificate requirements. Existing law requires anyone between 12 and 15 years of age to complete a boating safety course before operating a personal watercraft.
Background
SB 536 was requested for introduction by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. The Public Information Officer of the Department of Wildlife and Parks testified in support of the bill. He noted, among other things, that SB 536 was a step to address boating-related accidents, fatalities, and property damage. He said that Kansas has 60 boating-related accidents each year, an average of eight fatalities, and several hundred thousands of dollars of property damage and insurance claims. There were no other conferees.
The Senate Committee removed the provision which exempts nonresidents, and residents of less than 60 days, from the requirement of completing a boating safety course.
The House Committee amendment exempts any persons 21 years of age or older from the boating safety certificate requirement.
There is no fiscal impact to state revenues or expenditures associated with SB 536. The Department of Wildlife and Parks is given the discretion, but not required to charge a fee for boating safety courses. The Department also would conduct the courses without additional FTE positions.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html