MOTORIZED VESSEL: DISABLED PERSON H.B. 5607 (S-1):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 5607 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Brian Calley
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual who was disabled to operate a motorized vessel where it was otherwise prohibited, if certain conditions were met.
Specifically, a marine law that prohibited the operation of a motorized vessel on a portion of the State's waterways could not be enforced against an individual who met all of the following qualifications:
-- The individual had a disability that prevented him or her from rowing or paddling a vessel.
-- The individual had in his or her possession a marine exemption certificate.
-- The individual was operating a noncommercial vessel at a slow-no wake speed using an electric motor that was rated at 100 pounds of thrust or less.
An individual could obtain a marine exemption certificate from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or a sheriff's department by presenting a physician's attestation that the physician had examined the individual and determined that he or she had a disability that prevented him or her from rowing or paddling a vessel.
The DNR would have to develop and make available for use as prescribed in the bill a physician's attestation form and a marine exemption certificate.
The bill's provisions would not exempt an individual from compliance with any other marine law.
Proposed MCL 324.80114a Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 3-27-08 Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnels
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. hb5607/0708