SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2146

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 5, 1997

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2146.

      Senate Bill No. 2146 provides for certain exemptions from the current requirement that persons born after December 31, 1978, successfully complete a boat safety course prior to operating a power vessel on the waters of the State. The bill would allow persons 18 years of age or older to operate a power vessel that is not a personal watercraft (e.g., jet ski, waverunner) on the waters of the State without completing the boat safety course if:

      1) the person possesses a valid driver's license and operates a power vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or less;

      2) the person is not a New Jersey resident, is in this State for less than 90 days, and possesses a power vessel registered in another state or country; or

      3) the person rents a power vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower from a boat rental business and the person has successfully completed a State-approved pre-rental instruction course administered by the owner of the boat rental business prior to operating the vessel, provided that the owner of the business is an experienced boater and has successfully completed the State boat safety course.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill has not been certified as requiring a fiscal note since it will not have an impact on State revenues or expenditures.