An Act To Improve Recreational Watercraft Safety
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0307
Committee Amendment CA_B_H851 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §13071-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .]3" to H.P. 231, L.D. 307, Bill, 
Act To Improve Recreational Watercraft Safety" 
"An 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting 
clause and before the summary and inserting in its place the 
following: 
. Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §13071-A, sub-§I, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 
655, Pt. B, §384 and affected by §422, is amended to read: 
1. 
Operatinq personal watercraft while underaqe. 
A Except 
as provided in subsection 5, a person under 16 years of age may 
not operate a personal watercraft. 
A. 
A person who violates this subsection commits a civil 
violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more 
than $500 may be adjudged. 
B. 
A person who violates this subsection after having been 
adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations 
under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a 
Class E crime. 
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §13071-A, sub-§S is enacted to read: 
5. 
Qperating personal watercraft while 15 years of age; 
boater education; fee. 
A person who is 15 years of age may 
operate a personal watercraft if, while operating the personal 
watercraft, that person possesses on that person documentation of 
Page l-LR0217(4) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
t.fJ:J. 
~~ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .jE). to H.P. 231, L.D. 307 
both 
age 
and 
the 
successful 
completion of 
a 
boater 
safety 
education course provided by the department or an organization 
approved by the commissioner. 
Sec. 
3. 
Appropriations 
and 
allocations. 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
IBLARD FISHERIES All]) WILDLIFE, DEPAJr.l'MENT OF 
Enforcement Operations -
IF&W 
0537 
The 
following 
Initiative: 
Appropriates 
funds 
for 
the 
establishment 
of 
a 
required boater safety education course. 
GENERAL f1JRD 
2005-06 
2006-01 
Personal Services 
$0 
$8,008 
All Other 
$0 
$5,124 
Capital Expenditures 
$0 
$15,000 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$0 
$28,132 
Sec.4. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2007.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is a minority report and allows a person who 
is 15 years of age to operate a personal watercraft if that 
person has 
successfully completed 
a 
boater safety education 
course 
provided 
by 
the 
Department 
of 
Inland 
Fisheries 
and 
Wildlife or 
an organization approved by the Commissioner of 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/16/06 ~ae 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
LD307 
LR0217(04) 
An Act To Improve Recreational Watercraft Safety 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment~' 
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
Fiscal Note Reqnired: Yes 
Minority Report 
Fiscal Note 
2005-06 
$0 
2006-07 
$28,132 
Projections 
2007-08 
$11,132 
I\ppropriations/ Allocations 
General Fund 
$0 
$28,132 
$11,132 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Projections 
2008-09 
$11,132 
$11,132 
The Department ofInland Fisheries and Wildlife will need an additional General Fund appropriation of $28, 132 in 
fiscal year 2006-07 for the costs of providing a boater safety education program. These costs include $17,000 for one-
time start-up costs including purchase of 4 personal watercraft, $8,008 annually for personal services and $3,124 
annually for mileage, fuel and miscellaneous expenses. 
LR0217(4) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1