MARINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT/TOWING H.B. 4846 (S-2):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 4846 (Substitute S-2 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Schmidt
House Committee: Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation
Senate Committee: Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to do the following:
-- Require a vessel operator to comply with marine safety equipment requirements of the Department of Natural Resources, and designate a violation as a State civil infraction punishable by a maximum civil fine of $100.
-- Require a person to wear a proper personal flotation device in order to be towed by a vessel.
-- Provide that towing a person in violation of prescribed safety requirements would be a State civil infraction punishable by a maximum civil fine of $100.
The bill would take effect on November 1, 2012.
MCL 324.80104 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate, but likely minor, fiscal impact on State and local government. State and local units could incur marginal increases in labor cost due to enforcement. There are no data to indicate how many marine vessel operators would be found in violation of this statute, but any revenue from the civil fines of up to $100 would benefit public libraries.
Date Completed: 2-23-12 Fiscal Analyst: Dan O'Connor
Josh Sefton
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. hb4846/1112