State of Michigan
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor	DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing	REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: SENATE BILL 484, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC: Personal Watercraft, boating safety education requirement

SPONSOR: Senator Kuipers

CO-SPONSORS: Senator Allen

COMMITTEE: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Analysis Done: May 24, 2007

POSITION

The Department supports the bill.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Current law prohibits persons born after December 31, 1978, from operating a personal watercraft (PWC) unless they possess a boating safety education certificate.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

Senate Bill 484 would amend Part 802, Personal Watercraft, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to prohibit a person younger than 18 from operating a PWC without first obtaining a boating safety certificate.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

SB 484 simplifies the educational requirements in law and assures that young riders are obtaining the necessary safety training for operation of a PWC.

Con

The changes proposed by SB 484 will allow some new riders over age 18 to operate a PWC without mandatory safety training.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

The Department is developing online boater safety education for certain age groups.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

_______________________________

Date

LED