HB238 Summary

• Suspends both boating license and driver's license for boating under the influence convictions, and suspends driver's license plus boating license or boater safety certification for motor vehicle DUI convictions.

• Requires vessel or personal watercraft to operate at idle speed only within 100 feet of moored boats, docks, persons in water, shorelines, parks, marinas, and law enforcement vessels in waters greater than 300 feet wide, and within 50 feet in waters 300 feet wide or less.

• Eliminates the 45-day exemption for nonresidents from states without boater safety requirements; all nonresidents must now obtain valid boater safety certification from their home state or obtain Alabama Nonresident Boater Safety Certification before operating vessels.

• 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.

• Effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval, except Section 1 (boating under influence penalties) becomes effective May 1, 2022.