1482: FLOOR SUMMARY (Date Completed: 11-4-10) - CREW EVENT: FLOTATION DEVICE

CREW EVENT: FLOTATION DEVICE S.B. 1482: FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]

Senate Bill 1482 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Michael Switalski
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to create an exception for a crew event to requirements regarding flotation devices, under certain circumstances.
Specifically, the requirements for having a personal flotation device and a throwable flotation device in a vessel would not apply to a person in a rowing shell or rowing scull who was competing as a team member in a crew event or who was participating with his or her team members for a crew event if another vessel were located within 100 yards, and that vessel had a sufficient number of personal flotation devices on board for use by the team members. In addition, the other vessel would have to have at least one throwable flotation device on board.

("Crew event" would mean a competitive rowing event between members of two or more teams using rowing shells or sculls for transportation on water.)

A rule waiver under Section 80164 would not be required for a person in a rowing shell or scull to operate in compliance with the bill. (Under that section, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) may authorize the holding of specified marine events on any of the State's waters. The DNRE must promulgate and may amend rules concerning the conduct of such events.)

Proposed MCL 324.80164a Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

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

Date Completed: 11-4-10 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton

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. sb1482/0910