86R3566 AAF-D
By: Campbell S.B. No. 210
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of emergency engine cutoff switches on
motorboats.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Section 31.1071 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.1071. OPERATION OF MOTORBOAT WITH EMERGENCY ENGINE
CUTOFF SWITCH. (a) In this section, "engine cutoff switch" means
an emergency switch installed on a motorboat that:
(1) is designed to shut off the engine if:
(A) the motorboat operator using a lanyard
attachment activates the switch by falling overboard or otherwise
moving beyond the length of the lanyard; or
(B) the motorboat operator or a passenger using a
wireless attachment activates the switch by falling overboard and
submerging a man-overboard transmitter; and
(2) attaches:
(A) physically to the motorboat operator through
the use of a lanyard worn by the operator; or
(B) wirelessly through the use of a
water-activated man-overboard transmitter worn by the motorboat
operator or any similarly equipped passenger on the motorboat.
(b) A motorboat operator may not operate a motorboat less
than 26 feet in length and equipped by the manufacturer with an
engine cutoff switch while the engine is running and the motorboat
is underway without first verifying that the switch is operational
and fully functional and:
(1) if using a lanyard attachment, properly attaching
the lanyard, as appropriate for the specific motorboat, to the
operator's body or to the clothing or personal flotation device
being worn by the operator; or
(2) if using a wireless attachment, properly attaching
to each individual on the motorboat an operational man-overboard
transmitter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.