February 19, 2008, Introduced by Reps. Garfield, Meltzer, Sheltrown, Pearce, Nitz, Hoogendyk, Horn, Ball, Nofs, Bieda, Stahl, Rick Jones, Brandenburg, Pastor, Espinoza and Brown and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending section 80215 (MCL 324.80215), as added by 2000 PA 229.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec.
80215. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3),
a
A person under the age of 14 16
shall not use operate a personal
watercraft on the waters of this state.
(2)
A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age
before
January 1, 1999 may use a personal watercraft on the waters
of
this state if before January 1,
1999 he or she obtained a
boating
safety certificate.
(3)
A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age
may
use a personal watercraft on the waters of this state if all of
the
following circumstances exist:
(a)
The person is accompanied solely by the person's parent or
legal
guardian.
(b)
Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have
obtained
a boating safety certificate.
(c)
The personal watercraft is equipped by the manufacturer
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.
(d)
The personal watercraft is designed to carry not less than
2
persons.
(2) (4)
A person who was born after December 31, 1978 shall
not operate a personal watercraft upon the waters of this state
unless he or she first obtains a boating safety certificate.
(5)
Not later than March 23, 2004, the graduated age
provisions
of this section shall be reviewed by the appropriate
committee
of both houses of the legislature to ascertain the
effect,
if any, these provisions have had upon the safe operation
of
personal watercraft upon the waters of this state.
(3) (6)
The owner of a personal watercraft or a person having
charge over or control of a personal watercraft shall not authorize
or knowingly permit the personal watercraft to be operated in
violation of this section.
(4) (7)
This section does not apply to a performer engaged in
a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or
participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or
exhibition held in compliance with section 80164 under a permit
issued by the department and at the time and place specified in the
permit.