SCS HB 379 -- WATERCRAFT

This bill makes several changes with regard to watercraft.
Persons under the age of 14 will be restricted from operating a
motorboat or vessel.  The 30 miles per hour night-time speed
limit will apply from a half-hour after sunset until an hour
before sunrise.  Currently the limit applies a half-hour before
and after sunrise and sunset. The display of a red or orange
flag (signaling a person in the water) is prohibited when the
person is being towed.  Anyone who operates or positions a
vessel in such manner as to obstruct the normal flow of traffic
on the lakes of the state is guilty of a class C misdemeanor on
the first conviction and a class B misdemeanor on the second and
subsequent convictions.

This bill has an emergency clause.

HB 379 -- WATERCRAFT (Franklin)

This bill makes several changes with regard to watercraft.
Persons under the age of 14 will be restricted from operating
vessels or watercraft as well as motorboats.  The 30 mph night--
time speed limit will apply from a half-hour after sunset until
an hour before sunrise.  Currently the limit applies a half-hour
before and after sunrise and sunset. The display of a red or
orange flag (signaling a person in the water) is prohibited when
the person is being towed.  Anyone who operates or position a
vessel in such manner as to obstruct the normal flow of traffic
on the lakes of the state is guilty of an infraction.

This bill has an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 379 -- WATERCRAFT

SPONSOR:  Franklin

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Transportation by a vote of 18 to 0.

This bill makes several changes with regard to watercraft.
Persons under the age of 14 will be restricted from operating
vessels or watercraft as well as motorboats.  The 30 mph night--
time speed limit will apply from a half-hour after sunset until
an hour before sunrise.  Currently the limit applies a half-hour
before and after sunrise and sunset. The display of a red or
orange flag (signaling a person in the water) is prohibited when
the person is being towed.  Anyone who operates or position a
vessel in such manner as to obstruct the normal flow of traffic
on the lakes of the state is guilty of an infraction.

This bill has an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill contains basically
cleanup language from the major bill passed last year, such as
clarifying the usage of the orange or red flag and ski mirrors
on personal watercraft.  Supporters also say that bass
tournaments are a big economic boost to the local economy.
Therefore, changing the speed limit time period in the morning
is very important.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Franklin; Missouri
State Water Patrol; Missouri Conservation Federation; and
National Marine Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition was voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Research Analyst

HB 379 -- Watercraft

Sponsor:  Franklin

This bill makes several changes with regard to watercraft.
Persons under the age of 14 will be restricted from operating
vessels or watercraft as well as motorboats.  The 30 mph night--
time speed limit will apply from a half-hour after sunset until
an hour before sunrise.  Currently the limit applies a half-hour
before and after sunrise and sunset. The display of a red or
orange flag (signaling a person in the water) is prohibited when
the person is being towed.  Anyone who operates or position a
vessel in such manner as to obstruct the normal flow of traffic
on the lakes of the state is guilty of an infraction.

This bill has an emergency clause.