SB2721 - Ocean Recreation Criminal Penalties Summary

• Clarifies that criminal penalties, including petty misdemeanor charges and fines up to $1,000, apply to violations of ocean recreation laws involving boating accidents, reckless vessel operation, unauthorized mooring, unauthorized commercial activity, unauthorized camping, and animal abandonment in state small boat harbors or boating facilities.

• Establishes criminal penalties with potential imprisonment up to 30 days for knowing or intentional violations involving unauthorized discharge, dumping, or abandonment of petroleum products, hazardous materials, or sewage in state boating facilities or waters, with fines up to $10,000 per day or instance of violation.

• Authorizes environmental court to impose conditions of probation or suspension that prohibit defendants from operating vessels in specified geographical areas of state waters for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws.

• Adds authority for the board to deprive violators of the privilege of registering, titling, or mooring vessels in state small boat harbors or waters for up to 24 months as a condition of administrative penalties.

• Repeals section 200-25 (Fines and penalties) and consolidates penalty provisions into amended sections 200-14 and 200-14.5, establishing unified administrative fine structures ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on violation severity and recurrence.