HB284 Summary

• Suspends both boating license and driver's license upon conviction of boating under the influence; suspends driver's license and boating license or boater safety certification upon conviction of operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

• Makes it unlawful to operate a vessel or personal watercraft at greater than idle speed within 100 feet of moored boats, docks, piers, persons in water, residential shoreline, public parks, marinas, or law enforcement vessels.

• Requires all nonresidents to obtain boater safety certification from their home state or country or obtain a Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification prior to operating vessels on Alabama waters (eliminates previous 45-day exemption for nonresidents from states without boater safety requirements).

• Expands emergency engine shut-off switch requirement from vessels less than 24 feet to vessels less than 26 feet in length with open construction and more than 50 horsepower.

• Upon conviction of driving under the influence under Section 32-5A-191, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall suspend the individual's vessel operating privilege or boater safety certification under the same conditions as driver's license suspension.