Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4489

Introduced
3/21/24  
Refer
3/21/24  
Report Pass
7/30/24  

Caption

Relative to boater safety to be known as the Hanson Milone Act

Impact

By creating a structured fund specifically for boater safety initiatives, the legislation intends to improve safety outcomes on the water. A portion of the funds, not less than 25%, must be utilized annually for educational programs, training law enforcement personnel, and public awareness campaigns. These actions are expected to enhance compliance with boating laws and ultimately reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities involving boating activities.

Summary

House Bill 4489, known as the Hanson Milone Act, aims to enhance boater safety in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by establishing a Boater Safety Program Fund. This fund will gather revenues from various sources including fees, fines, and grants to support boater safety training, education, and enforcement programs. The bill signifies a commitment to fostering safer navigation and vessel operations by expanding public education and enforcement mechanisms through the allocation of dedicated resources.

Contention

The bill also introduces stricter certification requirements for individuals operating motorboats or personal watercraft. Those born after January 1, 1989, will need to complete a boater safety education program to legally operate these vessels. This provision has raised concerns among some stakeholders who argue that mandatory education could potentially discourage recreational boating among younger individuals. However, proponents argue that these regulations are essential for improving safety and ensuring that operators are knowledgeable about safe practices while navigating watercraft.

Additional_provisions

Moreover, House Bill 4489 underscores the role of the Office of Law Enforcement in managing the fund and implementing educational programs, emphasizing the importance of ongoing evaluation and adaptation of safety measures based on trends in boating-related incidents. The act is set to become effective on September 1, 2025, with a grace period until March 1, 2026, before penalties for failing to comply with the new regulations are enforced.

Companion Bills

MA S536

Similar To Relative to boater safety to be known as the David Hanson Act

MA H4941

Replaced by Relative to boater safety to be known as the Hanson Milone Act

MA H3362

Replaces Relative to boater safety to be known as the David Hanson Act

Previously Filed As

MA H3362

Relative to boater safety to be known as the David Hanson Act

MA S536

Relative to boater safety to be known as the David Hanson Act

MA H4941

Relative to boater safety to be known as the Hanson Milone Act

MA SB35

AN ACT relating to boater safety and making an appropriation.

MA HB4197

Relating to boating safety and boater education.

MA S3011

Site Information & Links

MA H2405

Relative to kayak safety

MA HB358

Relating to vessels; to amend Sections 33-5-3, 33-5-4, 33-5-5, 33-5-6, 33-5-7, 33-5-8, 33-5-10, 33-5-12, 33-5-15, 33-5-16, 33-5-20, 33-5-21, 33-5-22, 33-5-23, 33-5-25, 33-5-26, 33-5-27, 33-5-28, 33-5-30, 33-5-31, 33-5-32, 33-5-34, 33-5-35, 33-5-36, 33-5-51, 33-5-52, 33-5-53, 33-5-54, 33-5-55, 33-5-56, 33-5-58, 33-5-59, 33-5-60, 33-5-61, 33-5-62, 33-5-63, 33-5-64, 33-5-65, 33-5-66, 33-5-67, 33-5-68, 33-5-69, 33-5-70, 33-5-71, 33-5-72, 33-5-73, 33-5-74, 33-5-75, 33-5-77, 33-5-79, 33-5-81, Code of Alabama 1975, to establish the classification of boating violation as a recognized criminal offense classification and to reclassify various criminal offenses as boating violations and further provide for criminal penalties; to further provide for the requirement to report certain boating accidents; to further provide for the general operational and equipment requirements of a vessel; to further provide for vessel horsepower requirements and the use of engine cut-off switches; to establish the uniform electronic boating traffic ticket and provide for its issuance; to amend Sections 12-12-50, 12-12-51, 12-12-52, 12-12-55, and 12-19-179, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide the district court with jurisdiction over boating violations and further provide for the court costs and fees for boating violations; to amend Section 41-27-6, Code of Alabama 1975, to rename the Marine Police Division within the Department of Public Safety to the Marine Patrol Division; to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style; to repeal Sections 33-5-22.1, 33-5-29, 33-5-33, and 33-5-78, Code of Alabama 1975; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

MA H4002

Relative to transit safety

MA H0493

Boating Safety

Similar Bills

MA S536

Relative to boater safety to be known as the David Hanson Act

MA H3362

Relative to boater safety to be known as the David Hanson Act

MA H4941

Relative to boater safety to be known as the Hanson Milone Act

MA S3011

Site Information & Links

RI H5341

Authorizes the collection of a small additional fee, in addition to the registration fee paid by motorboat owners, to be deposited in a restricted account, in order to fund the newly established freshwater lake management program.

RI S0642

Establishes a uniform wastewater disposal fee in the amount of fifteen cents ($.15) per every ten thousand gallons of wastewater effluent.

RI H7733

Registration Of Outboard Motors

NV SB59

Revises provisions relating to vessels. (BDR 43-225)