CS/CS/HB 293 Summary

• Establishes misdemeanor penalties (second degree) for violating navigation rules when resulting in boating accidents causing serious bodily injury or death, and noncriminal violations for navigation rule violations not resulting in accidents.

• Creates a new exemption allowing persons to operate vessels without a boating safety identification card for 90 days after completing a boating education course, provided they carry proof of course completion and photographic identification.

• Requires vessel liveries to verify that renters present either a valid boater safety identification card or proof of meeting the temporary exemption under the new 90-day provision before renting motors of 10 horsepower or greater.

• Establishes tiered civil penalties for navigation rule violations resulting in accidents not causing serious injury or death: up to $250 for first offense, $750 for second offense, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offense.

• Allows county courts to impose civil penalties exceeding the standard limits specified in the statute when a person elects to appear in court for a noncriminal violation.