CS/CS/HB 1221 - Vessels Summary

• Revises boating safety identification requirements for persons born on or after January 1, 1988, operating vessels with motors of 10+ horsepower; allows Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to appoint agents to issue boating safety cards and temporary certificates in digital, electronic, or paper formats; changes temporary certificate validity from 12 months to 90 days.

• Directs the Commission to conduct a 2-year study of impacts of long-term stored vessels and vessels anchored/moored outside public mooring fields on local communities and the state; requires report submission to Governor and Legislature within 6 months of study completion; contingent upon appropriation.

• Authorizes counties designated as rural areas of opportunity to create no-discharge zones for freshwater waterbodies to prohibit sewage discharge from floating structures, live-aboard vessels, and houseboats; violations subject to $250 civil penalty.

• Revises vessel registration fee distribution to allocate funds from Classes A-2 through 5 toward derelict vessel removal grants through the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund.

• Prohibits persons from residing or dwelling on vessels determined to be derelict until the vessel is permanently removed from state waters or restored to non-derelict condition; effective July 1, 2019.