TYPE III PFD FOR CHILDREN - S.B. 703 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS

sans-serif">Senate Bill 703 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus

Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 802 (Personal Watercraft) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to permit, for five years, children aged 12 and under to wear a Type III personal flotation device (PFD) when riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft. Also, the bill would delay the scheduled repeal of Part 802 from March 23, 2004, to March 23, 2012.

Currently, a person must not operate a personal watercraft in Michigan unless children under 12 who are riding on or being towed behind it are wearing a Type I or Type II PFD. Those aged 12 and over must wear a Type I, Type II, or Type III PFD. The bill would prohibit a person from operating a personal watercraft unless all people riding on or being towed behind it were wearing a Type I, Type II, or Type III PFD, until five years after the bill's effective date. After five years, the current provisions again would apply (i.e., a Type III PFD would not suffice for children under 12).

Annually, the Department of Natural Resources would have to prepare and submit to the Legislature an accident report related to the use of personal watercraft, the types of personal flotation devices that were being used, and the injuries that resulted.

(The Administrative Code (R 281.1234) defines Type I and Type II personal floatation devices as those designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face-down position to a vertical or slightly backward position. A Type I PFD has more than 20 pounds of buoyancy; a Type II, at least 15.5 pounds of buoyancy. A Type III PFD is designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or slightly backward position and to have at least 15.5 pounds of buoyancy.)

MCL 324.80205 - Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 2-5-04 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels

 - Bethany Wicksall

floor\sb703 (S-2) - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.