California 2019-2020 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB393 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 10/08/2019

                            Senate Bill No. 393 CHAPTER 644 An act to add Section 668.5 to the Harbors and Navigation Code, relating to vessels.  [ Approved by  Governor  October 08, 2019.  Filed with  Secretary of State  October 08, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 393, Stone. Vessels: impoundment.Existing law makes it a crime to operate any vessel, as defined, while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Existing law authorizes a peace officer to remove and seize a motor vehicle upon arresting a person for committing specified crimes using that motor vehicle. Existing law prohibits impounding that motor vehicle for more than 30 days, as specified.This bill would authorize a court to order the impoundment of a vessel, as defined, for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days, if the registered owner is convicted of a specified crime involving the operation of a vessel while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person. The bill would authorize a court to consider certain factors in the interest of justice when determining whether a vessel used in the commission of such a crime shall be impounded pursuant to those provisions. The bill would exempt a marina owner from liability for damage to an impounded vessel except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 668.5 is added to the Harbors and Navigation Code, to read:668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

 Senate Bill No. 393 CHAPTER 644 An act to add Section 668.5 to the Harbors and Navigation Code, relating to vessels.  [ Approved by  Governor  October 08, 2019.  Filed with  Secretary of State  October 08, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 393, Stone. Vessels: impoundment.Existing law makes it a crime to operate any vessel, as defined, while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Existing law authorizes a peace officer to remove and seize a motor vehicle upon arresting a person for committing specified crimes using that motor vehicle. Existing law prohibits impounding that motor vehicle for more than 30 days, as specified.This bill would authorize a court to order the impoundment of a vessel, as defined, for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days, if the registered owner is convicted of a specified crime involving the operation of a vessel while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person. The bill would authorize a court to consider certain factors in the interest of justice when determining whether a vessel used in the commission of such a crime shall be impounded pursuant to those provisions. The bill would exempt a marina owner from liability for damage to an impounded vessel except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: YES  Local Program: NO 

 Senate Bill No. 393 CHAPTER 644

 Senate Bill No. 393

 CHAPTER 644

 An act to add Section 668.5 to the Harbors and Navigation Code, relating to vessels. 

 [ Approved by  Governor  October 08, 2019.  Filed with  Secretary of State  October 08, 2019. ] 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 393, Stone. Vessels: impoundment.

Existing law makes it a crime to operate any vessel, as defined, while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Existing law authorizes a peace officer to remove and seize a motor vehicle upon arresting a person for committing specified crimes using that motor vehicle. Existing law prohibits impounding that motor vehicle for more than 30 days, as specified.This bill would authorize a court to order the impoundment of a vessel, as defined, for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days, if the registered owner is convicted of a specified crime involving the operation of a vessel while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person. The bill would authorize a court to consider certain factors in the interest of justice when determining whether a vessel used in the commission of such a crime shall be impounded pursuant to those provisions. The bill would exempt a marina owner from liability for damage to an impounded vessel except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

Existing law makes it a crime to operate any vessel, as defined, while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Existing law authorizes a peace officer to remove and seize a motor vehicle upon arresting a person for committing specified crimes using that motor vehicle. Existing law prohibits impounding that motor vehicle for more than 30 days, as specified.

This bill would authorize a court to order the impoundment of a vessel, as defined, for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days, if the registered owner is convicted of a specified crime involving the operation of a vessel while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person. The bill would authorize a court to consider certain factors in the interest of justice when determining whether a vessel used in the commission of such a crime shall be impounded pursuant to those provisions. The bill would exempt a marina owner from liability for damage to an impounded vessel except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 668.5 is added to the Harbors and Navigation Code, to read:668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 668.5 is added to the Harbors and Navigation Code, to read:668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

SECTION 1. Section 668.5 is added to the Harbors and Navigation Code, to read:

### SECTION 1.

668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.



668.5. (a) The interest of any registered owner of a vessel that has been used in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 655 for which the owner was convicted and the conduct resulted in the unlawful killing of a person is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vessel impounded at the registered owners expense for a period of not less than one nor more than 30 days.

(b) For purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interest of justice factors such as whether the impoundment of the vessel would result in the loss of employment of the registered owner of the vessel who committed the violation, or a member of the registered owners family, the loss of the vessel resulting from the inability to pay impoundment fees, unfair infringement upon community property rights, or other factors the court finds to be relevant.

(c) For purposes of this section, vessel means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the waters of the state, including all boats, motorboats, personal watercraft, recreational vessels, and unregistered vehicles, except for foreign and domestic vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce upon the waters of the state.

(d) A marina owner in possession of an impounded vessel pursuant to this section is not liable for damage to the vessel while the vessel is being impounded by the court, except for damage caused by the marina owners acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.