MOTORIZED VESSEL: DISABLED PERSON H.B. 5607:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]
House Bill 5607 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Brian Calley
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Date Completed: 3-17-08
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 vessel using an electric motor at a slow-no wake speed.
An individual could obtain a marine exemption certificate from 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 Department of Natural Resources 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.
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