SB 30 Summary

• Requires proof of liability insurance prior to registration and licensing of motor-powered vessels registered in Alabama, with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.

• Exempts non-motor-powered vessels, government-owned vessels, self-insured vessels, vessels properly registered elsewhere, and licensed dealer inventory vessels covered by blanket policies.

• Establishes Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authority to verify insurance compliance through random sampling and to suspend vessel registrations for violations.

• Creates penalties including Class C felonies for fraudulent insurance cards ($500-$5,000 fine and/or 1-10 years imprisonment) and Class C misdemeanors for operating uninsured vessels ($500 fine for first offense, up to $1,000 or 6-month suspension for subsequent offenses).

• Requires vessel dealers, reconditioners, rebuilders, and wholesalers to maintain blanket liability insurance coverage on all business and inventory vessels operated on state waters.