PREFILED JAN 05 2024 REFERENCE TITLE: watercraft operation; minors; safety education State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024 HB 2149 Introduced by Representative Cook: Senator Fernandez An Act amending title 5, chapter 3, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 5-342; relating to boating and watersports. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) PREFILED JAN 05 2024 REFERENCE TITLE: watercraft operation; minors; safety education State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024 HB 2149 Introduced by Representative Cook: Senator Fernandez REFERENCE TITLE: watercraft operation; minors; safety education State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024 HB 2149 Introduced by Representative Cook: Senator Fernandez An Act amending title 5, chapter 3, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 5-342; relating to boating and watersports. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Title 5, chapter 3, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 5-342, to read: START_STATUTE5-342. Operation of watercraft; minors; boating safety education; certificate of completion A. Notwithstanding any other law, beginning January 1, 2025, a person who is under eighteen years of age may not operate a watercraft that is propelled by machinery of more than ten horsepower unless that person has completed an approved boating safety education course pursuant to subsection B of this section. B. The department shall administer a boating safety education course approved by a national association of boating safety. The department may approve additional boating safety education courses. The department shall provide a list of approved boating safety education courses on the department's website. C. A person who completes a boating safety education course pursuant to subsection B of this section shall be issued a certificate of completion and shall carry a paper or electronic form of the certificate of completion when operating a watercraft that is propelled by machinery of more than ten horsepower. END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Applicability This act does not apply to a person who is at least eighteen years of age on the effective date of this act. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Title 5, chapter 3, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 5-342, to read: START_STATUTE5-342. Operation of watercraft; minors; boating safety education; certificate of completion A. Notwithstanding any other law, beginning January 1, 2025, a person who is under eighteen years of age may not operate a watercraft that is propelled by machinery of more than ten horsepower unless that person has completed an approved boating safety education course pursuant to subsection B of this section. B. The department shall administer a boating safety education course approved by a national association of boating safety. The department may approve additional boating safety education courses. The department shall provide a list of approved boating safety education courses on the department's website. C. A person who completes a boating safety education course pursuant to subsection B of this section shall be issued a certificate of completion and shall carry a paper or electronic form of the certificate of completion when operating a watercraft that is propelled by machinery of more than ten horsepower. END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Applicability This act does not apply to a person who is at least eighteen years of age on the effective date of this act.