SB 1123 - This act creates a definition for "racing shell" and "water skiing".

This act states that a penalty fee or cancellation may only imposed upon a person who documented a vessel with the U.S. Coast Guard prior to August 28, 1994, if that person received at least 30 days notice that his or her vessel is required to be registered.

This act requires all watercraft, regardless of length, to have one wearable personal flotation device on board for each person on board, except canoes 16 feet or more in length. This act requires the mandatory wearing of personal flotation devices in watercraft under 18 feet between October 15 and March 15 in certain locations.

This act authorizes the use of a urine sample to test for alcohol or drugs. The current boating laws only authorizes the use of blood, breath or saliva.

This act authorizes the Water Patrol to temporarily close state waterways in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.

This act clarifies the ski flag law by stating that the displaying of flag is optional when the watercraft is in the process of towing a person engaged in water skiing, tubing or similar activity. It also holds that no operator shall knowingly operate a watercraft within 100 feet (changed from fifty feet) of watercraft displaying such a flag.

This act authorizes the Water Patrol to arrest persons on probable cause, anywhere in the state, for a criminal violation under investigation which occurred within the Water Patrol's jurisdiction.

This act deletes the reference to 600 hours of instruction a water patrol officer must receive and replaces it with language referring to training pursuant to chapter 590.

This act requires a person to report a watercraft accident if the damage to property exceeds $500 (up from $200).

This provision has an emergency clause.
STEPHEN WITTE