HB 1765 Summary

• Establishes mandatory boating safety education requirements for motorboat operators in Hawaii, with phased implementation by age groups from 2010 to 2015.

• Requires all motorboat operators to be at least 18 years old and possess either a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators-approved safety certificate, U.S. Coast Guard license, Canadian marine certificate, or valid temporary permit.

• Operators under 18 years old must be directly supervised by a responsible adult 18 or older who holds a valid boating safety certificate.

• Motorboat rental and leasing businesses must verify that renters meet certification requirements, list authorized operators on rental agreements, and provide safety summaries and instructions before departure.

• Violations constitute misdemeanor offenses with fines of $50 to $1,000 per violation; courts may require completion of approved boating safety course as a condition of penalty suspension or probation.